August Smart Lock: The Original Retrofit Lock (Now Part of Yale)
The August Smart Lock pioneered a simple idea that changed the smart lock market: replace only the interior side of your deadbolt, keep your existing keys, and control everything from your phone. No locksmith needed. No drilling. No landlord drama.
Since Yale (ASSA ABLOY) acquired August in 2017, the brand has been gradually absorbed into Yale’s lineup. The August name still exists, but if you’re buying new in 2026, you’re really choosing between August’s last standalone product and Yale’s newer alternatives that use the same technology.
This review covers: what’s still worth buying, what’s been discontinued, how August compares to competitors, and whether the retrofit approach still makes sense in 2026.
August/Yale Smart Lock Lineup — 2026 Status
| Model | Status | Connectivity | Auto-Lock | Auto-Unlock | Keypad | HomeKit | Matter | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) | ✅ Current | Wi-Fi + BT | Yes | Yes | Optional ($80) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ~$230 |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch | ✅ Current | Wi-Fi/BT/Matter | Yes | Yes | Fingerprint built-in | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ~$280 |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 Keypad | ✅ Current | Wi-Fi/BT/Matter | Yes | Yes | Built-in | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ~$250 |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 (no keypad) | ✅ Current | Wi-Fi/BT/Matter | Yes | Yes | No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ~$200 |
| August Smart Lock Pro (3rd Gen) | ⚠️ Discontinued | BT + Z-Wave + bridge | Yes | Yes | Optional | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | N/A |
| August Smart Lock (1st/2nd Gen) | ❌ Discontinued | BT only | Yes | Yes | Optional | ❌ No | ❌ No | N/A |
Bottom line: The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock 4th Gen is the only “August-branded” lock still in production. Yale Assure Lock 2 is the spiritual successor with better specs across the board.
How August’s Retrofit Design Works
What made August different from every other smart lock:
- Remove your existing interior thumb turn (the part you twist to lock from inside)
- Attach August’s motorized unit over the existing deadbolt tailpiece
- Your exterior keyhole stays the same — same keys, same look from outside
- Total install time: 10-15 minutes with a screwdriver
This matters for three groups:
| Who | Why Retrofit Matters |
|---|---|
| Renters | No permission needed — you’re not changing the lock, just the inside knob. Swap back when you move. |
| Multi-key households | Everyone keeps their existing keys. No re-keying needed. |
| Nice front doors | Your decorative exterior hardware stays. August’s motor sits entirely inside. |
The downside: You’re limited by your existing deadbolt quality. If you have a cheap Grade 3 deadbolt, adding August on top doesn’t make it a Grade 1. The smart part is smart, but the lock part is only as good as what’s already there.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) — Deep Dive
The current-generation August lock. Here’s what you get:
What’s Good
| Feature | Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Wi-Fi | No bridge required (older gens needed a $60 bridge) | Remote access out of the box |
| Auto-Lock | Configurable timer (30s to 5min) | Never forget to lock |
| Auto-Unlock | GPS geofencing detects arrival | Hands-free entry |
| DoorSense | Magnetic sensor detects door open/closed | Know if door is actually shut, not just locked |
| Apple HomeKit | Full integration + Home Key support | Lock with Apple Watch or iPhone NFC |
| Guest access | Unlimited virtual keys, scheduling, one-time codes (with keypad) | Cleaner, dog walker, Airbnb guests |
| Activity log | Complete lock/unlock history in app | Know who came and went |
What’s Not Good
| Issue | Detail | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| No Matter support | Wi-Fi and BT only — can’t use Thread mesh | May feel dated as Matter adoption grows |
| No built-in keypad | Separate $80 purchase | No PIN codes without extra hardware ($310 total) |
| Battery life | 3-6 months (4 AA batteries) | Shorter than competitors (Schlage: 12 months) |
| ANSI Grade unknown | August doesn’t publish a grade | Security rating less transparent than Schlage Grade 1 |
| Bulky interior profile | 3.3″ diameter × 2.4″ deep | Noticeable protrusion on the inside of the door |
| Retrofit limitation | Only as secure as your existing deadbolt | No bump/pick resistance improvement |
| Auto-unlock reliability | Geofencing can be finicky (trigger too early/late) | May unlock before you reach the door |
August vs the Competition (2026)
The smart lock market has matured significantly since August pioneered it. Here’s how the 4th Gen stacks up:
| Feature | August Wi-Fi 4th Gen | Schlage Encode Plus | Yale Assure Lock 2 | Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro | Kwikset Halo Touch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $230 (+$80 keypad) | $300 | $200–$280 | $250 | $230 |
| ANSI Grade | Not rated | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Not rated | Grade 2 |
| Retrofit | ✅ Yes | ❌ Full replacement | ✅ Yes (no-keypad model) | ❌ Full replacement | ❌ Full replacement |
| Built-in keypad | ❌ ($80 add-on) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (keypad/touch) | ✅ Fingerprint + keypad | ✅ Fingerprint |
| HomeKit | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes + Home Key | ✅ Yes + Home Key | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Matter | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Battery life | 3-6 months | ~12 months | ~9 months | ~12 months | ~12 months |
| Auto-lock | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Auto-unlock | ✅ GPS | ❌ No | ✅ GPS | ✅ GPS | ❌ No |
| Z-Wave/Zigbee | ❌ | ❌ | Module option | ❌ | ❌ |
The Verdict on Each Competitor
- Schlage Encode Plus ($300): The security king. ANSI Grade 1 (highest), Apple Home Key, built-in keypad, 12-month battery. If security matters more than retrofit convenience, this is the better lock. Read our Schlage review →
- Yale Assure Lock 2 ($200-280): August’s sibling (same parent company). Has Matter support, Home Key, better battery life, and available with built-in keypad or fingerprint. Unless you specifically need retrofit, Yale Assure Lock 2 is the better buy. See our smart lock comparison →
- Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro ($250): Fingerprint + keypad + app — the most ways to unlock. No HomeKit though.
- Kwikset Halo Touch ($230): Fingerprint reader is convenient, but SmartKey re-key mechanism has known vulnerabilities.
Security System Integration
A smart lock becomes much more powerful when paired with a security system — automatic lock when alarm arms, unlock when alarm disarms, lock status in one dashboard.
| Security System | August Support | How It Connects | Best Lock Pairing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abode | ✅ Via HomeKit/Z-Wave | HomeKit scenes or Z-Wave (older Pro model) | Yale Assure Lock 2 (Z-Wave module) for direct hub control |
| Ring | ⚠️ Limited | Alexa routines only | Any Z-Wave lock works better with Ring Alarm Pro |
| SimpliSafe | ⚠️ Limited | SimpliSafe’s own $99 lock only | SimpliSafe Smart Lock |
| Apple Home | ✅ Full | Native HomeKit + Home Key | August or Schlage Encode Plus |
| SmartThings | ✅ Via Matter/Wi-Fi | SmartThings app | Yale Assure Lock 2 (Matter) |
Best combo for 2026: Abode Smart Security Kit + Yale Assure Lock 2 with Z-Wave module. Abode’s hub speaks Z-Wave natively, so you get direct control — lock triggers arm, geofencing triggers unlock, everything in one app. Plus HomeKit scenes for Apple users.
Should You Buy an August Smart Lock in 2026?
Buy August Wi-Fi 4th Gen If:
- You’re a renter who can’t change the exterior lock
- You want to keep existing keys for family members
- You have a decorative exterior you don’t want to replace
- You’re in the Apple ecosystem and want HomeKit/Home Key
- You don’t need a built-in keypad
Buy Something Else If:
- You want maximum security: Schlage Encode Plus (ANSI Grade 1)
- You want the best August-style lock: Yale Assure Lock 2 (same company, better specs, Matter support)
- You want fingerprint access: Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro or Kwikset Halo Touch
- You want smart home integration: Any Z-Wave lock + Abode hub
Existing August Lock Owner? What to Know
| Your Lock | Status | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| August 1st/2nd Gen | BT-only, aging hardware | Upgrade to Yale Assure Lock 2 or August 4th Gen |
| August Smart Lock Pro (3rd Gen) | Still works, Z-Wave + HomeKit | Keep it — still solid with Abode/SmartThings. Consider bridge replacement if Wi-Fi bridge dies. |
| August Wi-Fi 4th Gen | Current production | You’re good for 2-3+ years. Consider Yale Assure Lock 2 when it’s time to replace. |
Our Rating: 3.5/5
August invented the retrofit smart lock category and the 4th Gen is a competent product. But in 2026, the competition has caught up and passed it in several ways. The lack of Matter support, no built-in keypad, shorter battery life, and unrated ANSI grade make it hard to recommend over the Schlage Encode Plus (for security) or Yale Assure Lock 2 (for smart features). The retrofit design remains uniquely valuable for renters and multi-key households — that’s August’s niche, and it still owns it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is August Smart Lock being discontinued?
Not officially, but the brand is being absorbed into Yale. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock 4th Gen is still sold, but Yale Assure Lock 2 is clearly the company’s focus going forward. August-branded products may eventually be phased out under the Yale name.
Can I use August Smart Lock without Wi-Fi?
Yes — it works over Bluetooth for nearby locking/unlocking and auto-lock. But you lose remote access, activity notifications, and guest code management when you’re away from home. The auto-unlock geofencing feature also requires an internet connection.
Does August work with Abode?
Yes, through Apple HomeKit scenes. If you have an older August Smart Lock Pro with Z-Wave, Abode can control it directly through its Z-Wave hub. For the best integration, pair Abode with a Yale Assure Lock 2 using the Z-Wave module.
Is August Smart Lock safe from hacking?
August uses 128-bit AES encryption and TLS for cloud communication, which is standard for smart locks. The bigger risk is a weak Wi-Fi password or unchanged default credentials on your router. Follow basic smart home security practices and you’ll be fine.
August vs Schlage: Which is better?
Schlage Encode Plus is better for raw security (ANSI Grade 1 vs unrated) and battery life (12 vs 3-6 months). August is better for renters (retrofit design) and households that need to keep existing keys. If you own your home and can replace the full deadbolt, Schlage wins.
How long does the battery last in August Smart Lock?
3-6 months with 4 AA batteries, depending on usage. Heavy Wi-Fi usage (remote locks, frequent notifications) drains faster. The lock warns you at 20% and continues to work via Bluetooth even after Wi-Fi cuts out. Always keep spare batteries nearby — a dead smart lock with no keypad means you’re using your physical key.
William is a tech buff and former corporate security officer turned cybercrime analyst. Computers have few secrets left for him, but home security and alarm systems… Well, those have plenty of secrets for their users, which William is now uncovering and explaining. His articles on home security helped many people take the matter seriously, invest in highly performing systems, and avoid becoming victims of burglaries.
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