August Connect
- Older model: Wi-Fi bridge requirement The reviewed lock improves on August Connect-era setups by eliminating the separate module requirement.
Yale August Smart Lock Review
Bottom Line
Choose it for an easy retrofit smart lock with strong app controls, integrations, notifications, and reliable locking. Skip it if you need long battery life, built-in keypad/fingerprint entry, or flawless auto-unlock/HomeKit behavior.
Best for
Best for renters, homeowners, or shared households that want smart access while keeping the existing deadbolt, exterior hardware, and physical keys. It especially fits users who value app control, notifications, guest access, and smart-home integrations.
Not for
Not for buyers who want a built-in keypad, fingerprint entry, long battery life, or a lock that works perfectly with auto-unlock and HomeKit in every setup. It also may frustrate anyone who dislikes CR123 batteries.
Verdict
Reviewers generally frame the Yale August Smart Lock as a polished retrofit lock: it keeps existing exterior hardware, installs quickly, and delivers a strong app experience with broad smart-home support, remote access, notifications, and dependable manual/app locking in most tests. The tradeoff is that its compact Wi-Fi design leans on CR123 batteries, and several reviewers found battery life or replacement cost disappointing. Auto-lock is widely liked, while auto-unlock/geofencing ranges from smooth to frustrating depending on home layout, phone behavior, and HomeKit/Wi-Fi conditions. It also is not the best match for shoppers who want a built-in keypad, fingerprint reader, or zero-fuss voice/HomeKit reliability.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
Schlage Encode
- Alternative: included keypad Schlage Encode is presented as a strong alternative for shoppers who want a keypad included.
Schlage’s Encode lock
- Compared: price, keypad, and full deadbolt replacement Schlage’s Encode lock is in a similar Wi-Fi lock price range but includes a keypad and replaces the lock.
Feature Scorecards
Summary
30 reviewed features- Very positive 4.5-5.0 37% 11 features
- Positive 3.5-4.4 47% 14 features
- Neutral 2.5-3.4 10% 3 features
- Negative 1.5-2.4 7% 2 features
- Very negative below 1.5 0% 0 features
Pros
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The motor was praised for quiet operation in PCMag testing.
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Physical security received strong praise from TechGearLab, which highlighted the ANSI Grade 1 strength rating and intruder resistance.
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Notifications were a clear strength, with reviewers praising flexible smart alerts, quick push alerts, and better door-status awareness.
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Build quality drew praise where discussed, with reviewers calling out high-quality materials and a solidly built feel.
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Guest access was easy and useful, with virtual keys, sharing by text, and scheduled codes highlighted positively.
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User access management was praised for free virtual keys and scheduled access codes.
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Keeping the outside hardware and existing deadbolt was repeatedly praised, especially for renters, maintenance access, and preserving exterior appearance.
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Remote access was praised as convenient for controlling the lock from elsewhere in the house or anywhere with a phone connection.
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Reviewers valued the retrofit deadbolt fit for renters and existing-door setups, though one installation was complicated by tight door trim.
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Reviewers liked that built-in Wi-Fi removes the need for an add-on bridge or Connect module.
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Security software features were reassuring in the CNET review, especially authentication and encryption protections around the app and account.
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Auto-lock was one of the strongest features, praised for flexibility and peace of mind, though one reviewer disabled it because it could lock them out.
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Most reviewers found setup easy, quick, and well guided by the app, with one strong dissent reporting freezes, verification issues, and calibration trouble.
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App/manual locking was often described as instant, smooth, or quick, but one reviewer found physical keys faster than app, Siri, or watch workflows.
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The app was widely praised as intuitive, responsive, and feature-rich, though one reviewer had severe app freezing during setup.
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Support was viewed positively through a resolved battery-warning bug and confidence that August/Assa Abloy support would keep software maintained.
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Bluetooth-range control was described as responsive in one review, with the lock reacting nearly immediately when pressed.
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Smart-home integration was broad and often praised, but Alexa/Google setup hitches, HomeKit offline issues, and one severe HomeKit complaint made reliability mixed.
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The retained physical key was useful as a fallback and for renters, but one long-term tester still ended up carrying keys because smart unlocking was not fast enough.
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Locking reliability was excellent in most formal testing and one six-month review, but one reviewer reported serious state confusion and unreliable locking status.
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Value was mixed: several reviewers called it pricey but worthwhile, while others weighed the high price against batteries, keypad add-ons, and reliability frustrations.
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DoorSense was praised when it worked and was considered worth installing, but one reviewer reported repeated calibration failures and incorrect open/closed status.
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Voice control worked quickly in one test and was supported broadly, but other reviewers reported password recognition issues or slow/failing Siri and Google Assistant use.
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Built-in Wi-Fi was praised for freshness, range, and eliminating a bridge, but reviewers tied it to battery drain and one reported mesh/Wi-Fi frustration.
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Geofencing and auto-unlock were the most mixed smart feature: some reviewers found it handy or excellent, while others found it slow, inconsistent, or stopped working.
Cons
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The optional keypad works and can be useful, but reviewers noted it is not included and may disappoint buyers who want a built-in keypad experience.
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The activity log was useful in one review, but another reviewer reported a serious failure where an unlock event was not logged.
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The lack of a built-in outside touchpad/touchscreen was a drawback for the reviewer who preferred that style of lock.
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Battery life was the most consistent weakness, with repeated concern about CR123 batteries, shorter lifespan, replacement cost, and one six-to-eight-week real-world result.
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Fingerprint entry was treated as a missing keyless feature rather than a strength of this lock.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Smart Locks, this product is above average in Door compatibility (deadbolt fit), Existing hardware reuse, Locking motor, below average in Fingerprint, Access logs, Battery.
Summary
8 compared features- Above average 0.4+ pts higher 38% 3 features
- Same as average within 0.3 pts 0% 0 features
- Below average 0.4+ pts lower 63% 5 features
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint | 2.0 | 4.0 | -2.0 |
| Access logs | 2.8 | 4.4 | -1.7 |
| Battery | 2.3 | 3.8 | -1.4 |
| Touchscreen | 2.5 | 3.8 | -1.3 |
| Door compatibility (deadbolt fit) | 4.5 | 3.4 | +1.1 |
| Existing hardware reuse | 4.7 | 3.6 | +1.1 |
| Locking motor | 5.0 | 3.9 | +1.1 |
| Keypad | 3.0 | 4.1 | -1.1 |
FAQ
Does it replace the whole deadbolt?
No. Reviewers emphasized that it installs on the inside and keeps the existing exterior hardware and physical keys, which is especially useful for renters.
How easy is installation?
Most reviewers found installation easy, quick, and well guided by the app, often around 10 minutes. One reviewer with tight door trim had to work around fit issues, and one reported major app/setup problems.
How is battery life?
Battery life is the biggest tradeoff. Reviews repeatedly noted CR123 batteries, shorter life than older AA August locks, higher replacement cost, and one six-month reviewer saw only six to eight weeks.
Does auto-unlock work reliably?
Results were mixed. Some reviewers found geofencing and auto-unlock handy or mostly successful, while others said it was slow, inconsistent, stopped working, or even caused trust issues.
Is a keypad included?
No built-in keypad is included. Reviewers noted that August sells a separate keypad, and one tester found it worked but was small and less satisfying than a built-in touchpad.
How well does it work with smart-home platforms?
The lock has broad Alexa, Google, Siri/HomeKit, IFTTT, and smart-home support, and several reviewers praised that range. Still, some had Alexa, Google password, HomeKit offline, or voice-control reliability issues.
Is the app good?
Most reviewers praised the app as simple, intuitive, responsive, and feature-rich, especially for status, alerts, and access management. One negative review reported app freezes during Wi-Fi, HomeKit, and DoorSense setup.
Consider This Instead
If you want better Fingerprint
Choose myQ Secure View 3-in-1 Smart Lock. It scores 5.0 vs 2.0 for Fingerprint, with a 4.3 overall score.
If you want better Touchscreen
Choose Lockly Visage Zeno Series Smart Lock. It scores 5.0 vs 2.5 for Touchscreen, with a 4.0 overall score.
If you want better Access logs
Choose Aqara U50 Smart Lock. It scores 5.0 vs 2.8 for Access logs, with a 4.0 overall score.
If you want better Battery
Choose Google Nest x Yale Smart Lock. It scores 4.4 vs 2.3 for Battery, with a 3.7 overall score.
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