August Wi-Fi Smart Lock review: keep your deadbolt and keys, skip the bridge
A source-based August Wi-Fi Smart Lock review covering retrofit installation, built-in Wi-Fi, Apple Home requirements and the trade-offs of CR123 batteries.
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Editorial assessment
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock mounts on the inside of your door over an existing single-cylinder deadbolt. The outside hardware and your keys stay as they are, which suits renters and anyone who does not want to replace a lock. Wi-Fi is built in, so remote access through the August app needs no separate bridge.
The trade-offs are battery life and entry options. August's own estimate is up to three months on two CR123 batteries, shorter than many full-replacement locks claim, and code entry requires an optional keypad, while fingerprint entry requires a compatible Yale Keypad Touch.
This is a source-based editorial review. HomeTenet has not documented hands-on testing of this lock, so we do not publish numerical scores, response times, success rates or measured battery life. Our evidence policy.
Who it suits, and who should skip it
Consider it if you want to keep your current deadbolt and keys, you rent, or you want app and voice control without adding a bridge or hub for the lock's own remote access.
Skip it if you want Apple Home Key, a built-in keypad or fingerprint reader, or Z-Wave. If you are replacing the whole deadbolt anyway, compare the Schlage Encode Plus and the Aqara Smart Lock U100 in our smart lock shortlist.
Installation and door fit
August says the lock works with most single-cylinder deadbolts and attaches over the existing deadbolt on the inside, leaving the exterior untouched. It publishes a compatibility list; check your deadbolt against it before ordering. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock.
The body is listed at 72 mm across and 46 mm deep. Tom's Guide described it as 45% smaller than the older Smart Lock Pro and said installing it and connecting it to Wi-Fi and HomeKit "should take you no more than 15 minutes." That is one reviewer's door. A smaller body can leave part of the old hardware's footprint visible: Lon.TV's review needed the included trim piece to cover the hole cut for the deadbolt.
Connectivity and ecosystems
- Wi-Fi: built in. August lists 802.11 b/g/n on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz and says the lock "requires no additional bridge to connect." Some earlier coverage described it as 2.4 GHz only, so confirm on the current listing if your network matters here.
- Bluetooth: used when your phone is near the lock.
- Alexa and Google Assistant: supported; August marks both as requiring Wi-Fi.
- Apple Home: August lists Siri and HomeKit support. Control away from home, sharing and automations in Apple Home need an Apple home hub. Apple's current guidance names HomePod, HomePod mini and Apple TV as home hubs. Apple: set up a home hub. The lock's own Wi-Fi serves the August app; it does not replace an Apple home hub.
- Not listed: Apple Home Key, Matter, Thread and Z-Wave do not appear in the August documentation we checked. Android Central's comparison of the two August locks also notes the Wi-Fi model has no Z-Wave.
August says its locks and app are for use in the US and Canada only.
DoorSense, Auto-Lock and Auto-Unlock
A DoorSense sensor is included. It mounts on the door frame and tells the app whether the door is closed as well as locked. Auto-Lock can lock after the door closes or after a delay you set; August's FAQ gives a range of 30 seconds to 30 minutes. Auto-Unlock uses your phone's location to unlock as you arrive.
Location-based unlocking depends on your phone, its settings and signal. Keep your key with you until you trust it on your own door.
Entry options and guests
On its own, the lock is operated by the app, by voice, by Auto-Unlock, by the inside thumb-turn or by your existing key. August says there is no limit on the number of owners and guests, and guests receive virtual keys in the app. Lon.TV pointed out the practical catch: guests need a smartphone running the August app.
For code entry, August sells a keypad separately, and its product page lists a Yale Keypad Touch that adds fingerprint access. Budget for one if you want a way in without a phone or key.
Power
The lock takes two CR123 batteries, included. August's product page states "up to 3 months of battery life." Earlier coverage, including Tom's Guide, quoted an August estimate of three to six months. Treat both as manufacturer estimates; Wi-Fi use, how often the lock cycles and how freely the bolt moves all affect it. Tom's Guide also noted that CR123 cells cost more than AA batteries. Because the outside of the door is unchanged, your physical key still works if the batteries die.
Privacy and account security
The August app requires an account. August's product page describes mandatory two-factor authentication by email or phone, Bluetooth Low Energy encryption, TLS in its apps, and an option to require your phone's fingerprint or face verification before locking or unlocking. August and Yale's residential smart lock business was sold by ASSA ABLOY to Fortune Brands, as CE Pro reported; read the current privacy policy before creating an account. HomeTenet has not audited the lock's encryption.
Specifications
| Specification | August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (manufacturer-stated unless noted) |
|---|---|
| Type | Retrofit; mounts inside over an existing single-cylinder deadbolt |
| Keeps existing keys | Yes |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz), Bluetooth Low Energy |
| Bridge | Not required |
| Ecosystems | Apple Home (Siri); Alexa and Google Assistant over Wi-Fi |
| Apple Home Key / Matter / Thread / Z-Wave | Not listed by August |
| Door sensor | DoorSense, included |
| Keypad | Not built in; sold separately |
| Power | 2 CR123 batteries, included |
| Battery estimate | Up to 3 months |
| Size | 72 mm diameter, 46 mm depth |
| In the box | Lock, DoorSense sensor, 2 CR123 batteries, adapter and mounting hardware |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Region | US and Canada |
Source: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock product page.
Strengths and limitations
| Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Keeps your existing deadbolt and keys | Short battery estimate; CR123 cells cost more than AA |
| Wi-Fi built in; no bridge for August app remote access | No built-in keypad or fingerprint reader |
| Suits renters: outside hardware unchanged | No Home Key, Matter, Thread or Z-Wave listed |
| DoorSense reports open or closed, not only locked | Guests need the August app unless you add a keypad |
| Compact body compared with older August locks | Apple Home remote access still needs an Apple home hub |
Frequently asked questions
Does the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock need a bridge or hub?
Not for the August app, Alexa or Google Assistant: Wi-Fi is built in. Apple Home remote access and automations need an Apple home hub, which Apple lists as a HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV.
Can I still use my old keys?
Yes. The lock replaces only the inside part of the deadbolt. The outside cylinder and keys are unchanged.
How long do the batteries last?
August states up to three months on two CR123 batteries. That is a manufacturer estimate, not a HomeTenet measurement.
How is it different from the August Smart Lock Pro?
The Pro is an older, larger model that needs the plug-in Connect bridge for Wi-Fi and adds Z-Wave Plus. The Wi-Fi Smart Lock has Wi-Fi built in and no Z-Wave.
Does it support Apple Home Key or Matter?
Neither is listed in the August documentation we checked.
Where to buy
View the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock at August. This is a non-affiliate link. Confirm the selected bundle, compatibility and return terms before purchase.
Safety and installation
A smart lock is one part of home security. A retrofit lock relies on your existing deadbolt, so its physical security is that of the deadbolt already on your door. Confirm the bolt moves freely, keep your key as a backup and watch for low-battery alerts. Preserve a safe exit from inside: follow the manufacturer's instructions and applicable local building and fire codes, check your lease before fitting hardware, and hire a licensed locksmith or installer if you are unsure. No lock guarantees protection against intrusion. Homeowner safety disclaimer.
Changelog
- October 8, 2026: Review written from August documentation and attributed external reviews. HomeTenet has not tested this lock.
Questions or corrections: admin@hometenet.com.
