Yale August Smart Lock Feature Scores
Explore all 30 feature scores for Yale August Smart Lock, organized into pros and cons.
Scores by Feature
Summary
30 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.011 (37%)
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Positive 3.5-4.414 (47%)
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Neutral 2.5-3.43 (10%)
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Negative 1.5-2.42 (7%)
Pros
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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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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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Notifications were a clear strength, with reviewers praising flexible smart alerts, quick push alerts, and better door-status awareness.
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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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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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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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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 liked that built-in Wi-Fi removes the need for an add-on bridge or Connect module.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.
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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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Security software features were reassuring in the CNET review, especially authentication and encryption protections around the app and account.
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Bluetooth-range control was described as responsive in one review, with the lock reacting nearly immediately when pressed.
Cons
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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.
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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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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 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.