I finally found the perfect lock. I never leave reviews but I was so frustrated in my search for the perfect lock and so happy with what I found, I thought I would recount my saga to help anyone in my same position. I am an iPhone/iPad guy that likes to use Google Home wherever possible. It is a little tough to manage integration with Siri and Google Assistant but I mostly have it licked - except for the lock which had been the bane of my existence. I started with the Yale Nest lock. Should work great with google, right? It does, except google can only lock the door, not unlock it. I understand why for security purposes, but it defeated the purpose I was looking for - not having to use a key OR the keypad when my hands were full. I wanted quick and easy entry. I was going to set up a simple Siri shortcut so I could tell my Apple Watch to unlock the door, and it would tell Google. No dice. Strike one. I next tried the Sledge Sense. It says it works with Google Assistant and Siri. I knew going in that Google would not unlock this door either, but I read that Siri would. I figured I could make this work. I’ll leave all my google routines for inside the home (lock doors before bed, lock doors for when I am about to leave, etc.) and then just use a Siri routine for returning home (unlock door and disarm security system). Strike 2. First, the Sense does work with Google and HomeKit, but not at the same time. You have to choose one or the other. So no double routines. Still figured I could just cut the locking out of my Google routines by making it auto lock and then run it just on HomeKit to unlock with Siri. This kind of worked, but your iPhone has to be unlocked in order for Siri to unlock the door. This means that you cannot use Siri to unlock the door with your Apple Watch while the phone is in your pocket. So still not accomplishing the easy entry I was looking for. I was tired of spending money on locks that didn’t do what I wanted and about to give up when I decided I would give this one a try. And I struck gold. First of all, it works with Siri and Google, though I didn’t even bother to set it up with Siri because of the geofencing discussed below. Second, Google actually CAN lock AND unlock this one, unlike the other 2. You do have to speak your code Google to unlock which still makes quick entry awkward, but at least you can use google to unlock the door for a visitor if you are in another room of the house. But the best part is you don’t need to rely on Google OR Siri to unlock the door for yourself when coming home. Just set up geofencing with the Bluetooth on your iPhone, and it will unlock automatically when you get close. This has everything I was looking for in a lock. It seems to be well built and was easy to set up and get running. It still has a few little quirks that are annoying but not fatal. My only real complaint is how you wake up the keypad if you want to do a manual code entry. You would think you would press the home icon on the top but you would be wrong. You might also hope that you could touch anywhere on the screen to wake it up, but that’s not it either. Instead, you have to press on the bottom left hand side of the screen where the check mark would be (except you can’t see the check mark at that point because the screen is asleep). This is not a big deal at all once you get used to it, but I could see this being very confusing if I have a guest coming to my house and I just give them the code to punch in for the door. I’m sure I will be getting a few calls that the keypad “doesn’t work." I wish they would fix this. Also, I don’t think you can manage pin codes from the app. It appears you have to do this from the keypad. I might be wrong as I haven’t looked into this very much yet, but if you are someone who manages a lot of key codes (Airbnb), you need to look into this and this may not be the lock for you. Otherwise, I am so very thankful that I took a chance on this lock. It is everything I was looking for and more. I am buying 2 more for my other doors!

Overall, I'd highly recommend. I went with the "keypad + key" option as I live in a condo with only one entrance, and I don't trust anything electronic 100%. This way I can keep a key in my car, just in case. The hardware part of the installation was simple enough; luckily all the dimensions on my door and doorframe were within tolerances. The only surgery was drilling a 5/8" hole in the doorframe to place the included magnet (which allows the lock to know when the door is closed, enabling features that depend on that). They also give you the option to glue this magnet to the interior face of the doorframe, if you don't want to drill (but it'll be visible). Or you can omit it entirely. The software part didn't go 100% smoothly, but it was *much* better than I'd expected. I followed the included directions which tell you to put everything together and set a master code on the keypad. I then installed the Yale app and attempted to link my lock, but got a message stating that the lock was already registered and the current owner would have to give permission to allow a factory reset. Weird, as I bought it new, but I clicked "OK". I was then prompted to scan a QR code, and received another error stating that it didn't match the lock's serial number--which was bogus. I decided to do a factory reset and try the in-app setup first (before setting a master code) and this did the trick, so it seems you need to do things in that order--but the instructions don't state this, and the app was giving odd/incorrect feedback. Another point of confusion is whether to have the 'smart' module plugged-in when you remove/insert batteries. It seems to differ based on exactly what you're trying to do. I eventually got it all set up, though. I also had a minor issue with placing the WiFi bridge module. I have an outlet that I *thought* was ideally placed: it's on the same wall as the door, only about four feet away. It's also unused and hidden behind furniture, so perfect for my purposes. Unfortunately, I could not get the bridge to connect to my WiFi from this spot. When I moved it to the other side of the room, it connected up just fine. I thought this was strange, as it's only about a 15' difference and there are no additional obstructions besides a cheap couch--which 2.5GHz should zip right through. Who knows? With everything working, I'm very satisfied. Auto-unlock (when my phone gets in range) works superbly, and I like that I can set it to automatically lock as well. The app is reasonably intuitive and stable. All in all, it's the right combination of features and it's nicely executed.

This lock was easy to install and works great. The reason we bought this lock it that is the one that Chamberlain advertises as comparable with the MyQ app. The wifi insert in the lock we received is not comparable with MyQ. I called customer service and explained the situation and even provide pictures of the wifi piece, but they were unable to help. So we are disappointed that we cannot view this device in the same app as our garage door. The app for Yale is easy to use but does not provide lock status notifications. Update. We started having an issue with batteries holding charge. I contacted Yale support and they sent me another lock right away. All we had to do was install the new unit and send the old one back in the box the new unit came in. The postage was already taken care of. Our new lock works flawlessly. It still does not pair with chamberlain, but the upgrades to the Yale app give notifications and allow us to see if the door is open or closed. Their customer service was excellent regarding the issue with the lock itself. Would definitely buy again.

UPDATE: After about 18 months of use, I'm downgrading my review from two stars to one. In addition to all the aforementioned problems (door jamming constantly and grossly unreliable app), my lock has recently decided to drain the batteries at an alarming rate for no reason. While the 4 AA batteries previously lasted 6 months, the battery life has recently decreased to 3-4 months, then 6 weeks, then less than 3 weeks. The most recent time, I didn't even get a real warning - I got a low battery indicator on the lock only hours before the entire thing died and would not work at all. It's also not easy to replace the batteries - a tiny little screw needs to be taken out to get the cover off, and the screw can only be reached by a very thin screwdriver (it's not on the surface). At this point the screw is starting to get stripped from having been blindly screwed in and unscrewed 8 times in the past 6 months so I'm about ready to throw out this $350 piece of junk and purchase a new lock entirely. It's a good thing I bought a model with a physical key because the smartlock jams at least every third time I try to unlock the door. It always locks just fine, mind you, so you'll leave and return to find yourself locked out. I have to carry around the key (defeating the purpose of a smartlock) in case it jams, and it's locked out my guests a few times. Troubleshooting has not helped. There's no noticeable friction or scraping when it's working or when it's manually locked/unlocked. How difficult would it have been to build a mechanism that doesn't arbitrarily jam on its own? The August module/app is also very basic and full of bugs. First, the module needs to be plugged in right next to the door (I happen to have an outlet 2 feet from the door but you're SOL if your outlet is, say, 5 feet away). If you're not on bluetooth (ie. standing directly in front of the door, in which case you wouldn't need the app), it's extremely slow to respond. The guest codes can't be modified once you set them, so you have to delete and set a whole new entry code (which takes several steps) if you want to make any changes to a code or access schedule. The activity feed is very buggy, doesn't record half the activity (forget about being alerted if your door's opened while you're out), and doesn't distinguish at all between different users/codes, so it's not very secure if you need to grant temporary access to delivery services, etc. And don't even bother trying to use the automatic lock/unlock feature - it will unlock your door as soon as you come within wifi range (in my case, when I'm halfway down the block) and there's no way to set it to only unlock when you actually approach your door. Unless you live in a mansion or are okay with your door spontaneously unlocking whenever you happen to pass within 100 feet, this is a useless feature. Overall, there's really no excuse for such a shoddy product at this price point. I mean, it does the job of allowing me to easily lock my door on my way out or when guests leave, and *sometimes* allows me to grant entry to guests when I'm not home. I would assume that a cheaper smartlock would accomplish the exact same things with probably a comparable failure rate, so don't think that you're getting anything extra by paying for the Yale brand or August technology. You can't possibly rely on this product for anything beyond this tiny bit of convenience - certainly not anything like a rental home.

For the August/Yale integration the initial setup appears to be designed by someone who said let’s make this as confusing as possible. TLDR: Instructions reference 3 different apps (Bilt, Yale Access, August), setup requires ignoring picture from August app and scrolling down. App freezes during setup on iPhone 12 Pro Max multiple times. Eventually setup is complete and the lock works great. App is fine for daily use after setup. My backstory: I live in a smart home mostly with iOS devices and using HomeKit natively and homebridge for everything else. We have a smart oven, robot vacuums, robot mop, smart locks, MyQ garage door, lights/switches (lutron, hue, brilliant smart home), TVs, sprinkler system, shades, etc... Most are relatively simple to get going with the more difficult requiring some tinkering with network stuff. Yale/August was different and not in a good way. Yale Hardware: We’re replacing a Kwikset Premis that after a few years in the Florida humidity started eating through batteries in days (ended up being corroded on the inside). The hardware of Yale feels substantial, clearly this isn’t their first time designing a lock. They have well thought out seals to prevent moisture from getting in and the mechanical motion is just smoother. Feels more metal than plastic. Also unlike Kwikset (thankfully), to change the batteries doesn’t require me removing 3 screws and the entire decorative backplate...brilliant. Yale/August Install: The initial install of the hardware itself is okay. No instructions are provided other than asking you to download the Bilt app (or using a PDF on the website). That works well enough and soon the lock is installed and working as a non-smart keypad lock. Here’s where it goes south. Yale actually has a smart design, they have the base lock and small modules/cartridges that plug into the lock to enable other features (WiFi, Z-Wave, or Zigbee). Think Nintendo Gameboy cartridges but slightly smaller. For August they include an August module for the lock and a August Connect plug in unit. However the labels on the boxes are confusing (remember no documentation is included and neither Bilt or the PDF on the website that you can search to find on the product page has instructions for this). The Yale stuff says use the Yale Access App (August app clone) and the August stuff says to use the August app. So that’s 3 apps they’re asking you to use Bilt, Yale Access, and August. In reality ditch the Yale Access and go right for August. Let my suffering clear that up for you. Once you navigate to the August app to make the non-smart lock...smart that’s where it comes unhinged. After setting up an account in August you’ll see a “Set Up a Connect” button...you’ll think oh that’s what I have. Click that and it’ll walk you through how to set up connect and then tell you that you don’t have a supported lock. Try to call August...they don’t answer. It’s chat or email only with them. Turns out that despite no clear indication in the app and no instructions presented that you can actually scroll down. Seriously no scroll bar (hidden until swiping) and the buttons are spaced in a way that appears to fill up the screen without presenting a hint of options below. Once the user scrolls down the last option is “Set Up a Lock Connected By August”. It doesn’t really look like a button and it seems to imply to use the above but you can actually press it. Doing so allows the user to pair the August module/cartridge with the lock...great. Except it freezes after the firmware update. But no worries after closing and relaunching the app all is good and I can connect to the lock via Bluetooth. Now the user can go back to set up a device and select the “Set Up a Connect” button and pair the plug in August Connect. That also locked up during set up after it was trying to connect to WiFi. Additionally the app reported both wifi and Bluetooth to the lock signals were weak or non-existent when testing (they weren’t the app later shows excellent/good signal for both after a force quit). After that August is intuitive and basically anyone can figure out how to change the settings on the lock. It’s easy going from that point onwards. Except one thing that annoys me. Yale allows an 8 digit code for the lock...August only allows a maximum of 6. Oh well, life goes on. Features/Use: The lock responds almost instantly to commands, settings are easily accessed in the August app, and it’s overall reliable in my few days of use. Even the exterior keypad is fast and easily readable in sunlight. Aside from the poor install experience I’m happy with the feature set and day to day use. Actual Install Instructions for Yale/August: 1. Install the Yale lock using the PDF from the website or the Bilt app. Set the master code on the lock. 2. Install the August app. 3. Create your August account and then when adding a new device scroll down to “Set Up a Lock Connected By August”. Pair the August cartridge/module to the lock as instructed. Update firmware, etc... as instructed during the install. Complete that process for Bluetooth access to the lock. This pairs the cartridge that fits in the lock with the lock itself. 4. For the module that plugs into the wall go to set up a new device and “Set Up a Connect”. Follow the steps and don’t despair if it locks/freezes during setup. Just reattempt or see if it worked even if it gave an error. That should complete the install.

The Yale Assure Lock is a game-changer in home security, combining advanced technology with effortless functionality. Installation is a breeze, requiring only basic tools and a few simple steps. Once set up, the Wi-Fi connectivity opens up a world of possibilities, allowing remote access and control via the intuitive smartphone app. The touchscreen interface adds a touch of modern elegance to any door, while the keyless entry system eliminates the hassle of fumbling for keys. With customizable access codes, I can easily grant temporary or permanent access to family, friends, and service providers, all with the touch of a button. The lock's reliability is unmatched, providing peace of mind knowing that my home is securely protected around the clock. Plus, the sleek design seamlessly blends with any décor, enhancing both security and aesthetics. Overall, the Yale Assure Lock is a must-have for anyone seeking seamless integration of smart technology and home security. Its convenience, reliability, and stylish design make it a standout choice in the realm of smart locks.

After having had and used this device and cooperating app for almost 6 months it has some great positives as well as a few things that could be better. First I'll say that installation was relatively easy. I've never installed a deadbolt before, but the instructions were very step-by-step. The only trouble I came into was installing the device that bridges the lock to the wifi. I had a ton of issues until I started playing with the lock and realized that the lock only works and connects correctly when I leave the back battery cover unscrewed. I even tried resetting the batteries several times and nothing worked until I permanently left the battery cover unscrewed. As it is it just sits on top and doesn't ever really seem to move. I also really enjoy the included sensor that tells me if my door is actually shut or open. I feel like this is such a huge feature that most smart deadbolts don't have. And what is the point of your door locking if it's not even actually shut? The app is pretty easy to use. Pretty easy to add people and their codes, can even send a text message through the app to your contact with their pin code. It might be nice to add a simple instruction to that automated text about how to actually input your code and gain entry and exit. The only major issue I had was my first weekend away and my dog sitters were having issues with the lock accepting their pin even though my app was telling me that they were registered with the correct pin code. It seemed like the app was just glitching because I couldn't even load the updated list of entry, locking and exit times. I did uninstall and reinstall the app and connected to both the wifi and my wireless data with no resolution. Finally the next day everything updated and my visitors pin code also worked too. All in all, I do think that this was a good purchase, but there are definitely flaws with both the app and hardware as mentioned. I did attempt to contact Yale's support line on 2 occasions, but it was never answered and my online support submission did not get a response.

The lock was purchased on Amazon.com and was transported to my home in the Caribbean. It was easy to install and worked perfectly with the Yale Home App. After about five months during which time I was able to control the lock from anywhere on the island or overseas, when I opened the App I could not see the lock again: it seemed to have disappeared. I was o simply getting access to a ‘Welcome’ screen that gave me an opportunity to add a device. When I tried to add the device (again), after scanning the QR code, I got a screen saying that installation cannot be completed. Even though I live in the Caribbean, I contacted support for North America to see if they can help. I got a response saying that the lock is not compatible with the Yale Home software. Huh??? If the App was not compatible why would it have worked perfectly with the lock for at least five months? The support person advised that I return the lock to the supplier, seeking a replacement or refund. am saddened, disappointed and as you could imagine, puzzled.

UPDATE January 1, 2020: I've raised my rating to 2 stars because some of the confusion is due to Amazon's policy of listing multiple versions of the same basic product on one screen and then combining the reviews and questions answered - making it impossible to tell what features or reviews are associated with the item you purchase. This might be OK for socks of various colors but it makes no sense for a lock with different "smart" systems. I purchased the Yale lock Connected by August. A couple of days ago, the features in the August app all started working, both over Bluetooth and over the web. [A quick test of web function is to turn on Airplane Mode, which turns off Bluetooth and Cell coverage, but you can leave your WiFi on.] The app-based features are useful: remote lock, remote unlock, and remotely monitoring if the door is open or closed [if you installed DoorSense]. If you turn on Notifications, you will see onscreen [or on your Apple Watch] when the lock is operated - manually or by software. The AutoUnlock with your phone in your pocket works fairly often, but if there is any interruption in the signal or you shut down the phone. You usually can't figure out what went wrong, but if Notifications is enabled you will at least get a warning that it won't unlock the door so you can put down all your grocery bags. It's faster and easier at that point to manually key in your opening sequence rather than fish out the phone. I did find a partial workaround that allows me to shop nearby and still have AutoUnlock work: I manually moved the "lock radius" setting a few blocks the other direction from where we shop, while still including our home. Once I walk east 1.5 blocks, the Notification tells me that AutoUnlock has been engaged and I can shop, eat, go to the library, etcetera and the door will [usually] AutoUnlock when I return home. I was able to get Apple's "Home" app to work locally using Bluetooth. In typical Apple fashion, it is easy to install, add the lock, and use - and offers multiple ways to control the lock. However, it does NOT show whether or not the door is opened so the Yale deadbolt could be remotely engaged on a wide-open door! Siri also controls the open/close feature. To add remote control over the web, you need a hub. Since I already had a recent iPad, I set it up as a hub and it worked fine. Despite assurances from multiple August support reps and the claims on the Amazon site, Connect with August will NOT WORK WITH A WINK HUB. The app appears to connect to Wink but the functions don't work! Turns out that the Wink hub is only compatible with the Z-wave/ZigBee controller version. ALEXA DOES NOT WORK DIRECTLY WITH CONNECT BY AUGUST, contrary to their claims on Amazon and the advice of multiple August reps. Amazon does sell an Echo Plus that incorporates a hub, but that too is incompatible with Connect by August! THE ECHO PLUS IS A ZIGBEE HUB, ONLY COMPATIBLE WITH THE Z-WAVE/ZIGBEE CONTROLLER VERSION. So, my current suggestion would be to buy the Connect by August version ONLY for use with the August App. To add voice control or other advanced features, you'll need to buy/have the correct hub and it's nearly impossible to determine what will work until you set it up and try it. I'd rate this lock considerably higher if Yale offered clear guidance on how to get it to work with non-August apps before you purchase it. Until then, if your expectations are pretty low, you might be happy with Yale with Connect by August. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I’ve been eagerly waiting a Bluetooth enabled smart deadbolt that would let me walk up to the back door with my hands full of groceries, tools, grandkids or whatever and have the door auto-unlock. My car does this flawlessly. Turns out with the August implementation, you have to go several blocks away from home for this to work, so if I go to the 5 restaurants, 2 grocery stores, 2 drugstores or the local library that are our most common destinations – or just take a walk around the block – the auto-unlocking feature is turned off. There is a manual over-ride option in the August app but it takes 7 taps in 4 different screens to implement; going to the Home screen and taping the red or green circle, takes 3 taps. Hands-free auto-unlocking is one of several promises Yale makes but only partially delivers. That’s a pity because the lock itself is one of the best I’ve ever installed: rugged, clear written instructions, nice drilling templates, all screw options included. The lock installation & setup video within the August app is also quite good. I had no issues with installing the lock itself and it worked smoothly immediately. Programming the Master Code and my Personal Code also went well so I was really pleased with this adventure and felt more comfortable with the premium price for this combo. The nightmare [shared by numerous purchasers according to Amazon reviews] was with installing and using the features of the August Connect that is required for remote control or monitoring After reinstalling the August radio and Connect Wi-Fi bridge three times to make sure I didn’t miss anything in the instructions, I called Support and they were very friendly and talked me step-by-step through multiple installation and troubleshooting tips. Nothing worked so they concluded the bridge was defective and promised to send a replacement “within 7 business days”. They sent an email later that day requesting proof of purchase which I sent. The replacement never shipped. The more time spent with this lock, the more my confidence in August plummeted. I decided to call Support again and spoke with a different rep who had me to do the same troubleshooting done previously and came up with a different explanation: my Wi-Fi signal wasn’t reaching the bridge. He referred me to Apple support to accomplish that and said to email August support and he’d call me back or another rep would. Apple support was fantastic, explained every step of the process with the router, and I soon had cabled the two routers together, logged onto the slow channel with my phone and sent Support an email asking for a call back. When no one had called me back after 45 minutes, I called support again and got a third person. She too was very friendly and walked me through the script redoing the same troubleshooting and installation steps for a third time. Although she could see that the bridge was connected to my new 2.4 GHz channel the install still failed and the August app confirmed that my Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals were both too weak. That made no sense because both signals were strong on my phone when I stood in front of the lock. This rep put me on hold and came back shortly to tell me there is a glitch in their app and my signals were actually OK! She told me to ignore the error messages, close the app, and just try the Bluetooth features. Locking/unlocking and seeing whether or not the door was closed using the Door Sense feature worked with Bluetooth! Alexa control has never worked with multiple Echo devices. Using Alexa on my phone, I can lock/unlock the deadbolt if I’m standing in front of the door, but August doesn’t work with the Echo, Tap or Dot devices in my home. The August Smart Home app that’s required is rated less than 3 stars with about half the users finding it unusable, as I did. Despite over an hour with Support from Amazon and multiple August support calls, Alexa control remains impossible even though it works flawlessly with multiple other smart devices in my home. August says, “there’s no problem on our side”. Although it’s not consistent, I have sometimes been able to lock/unlock the door when standing in front of it with: • Alexa on my phone • Siri voice control on my phone • The August app on my Apple Watch The Yale advertising says: “Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home Kit (Siri), Simplisafe, Airbnb, Home Away and more” and the August app has a Wink hub link under “Works With” but although the lock was recognized in the Wink app it couldn’t be controlled. In the Amazon Q&A sections, the Yale rep responded to “What Alexa enabled hubs work with this lock? A: The lock can be controlled via Alexa when used in conjunction with a SmartThings or Wink hub. By Yale Rep on May 1, 2018 When I asked the 6th support rep to help me get this hub to work, she said, “Wink doesn’t work with the Yale lock you purchased. It only works if you buy the August lock.” Another disappointing surprise... Amazon reviews show that one quarter of purchasers rate the Yale/August lock less than 3 stars. One fifth rate it as only 1 star, which has been my experience too. If you skip August and just buy the lock, you’ll avoid countless frustrations and save money too. SUMMARY: Strengths = good electronic touchpad lock that promises voice, WiFi, and Bluetooth control Weaknesses = Finicky WiFi connection, buggy app, Advanced features don’t work out of the box, Support reps contradict each other

Product seems robust and well manufactured, and easy to use. The lock is manufactured by Yale and August (which I have never heard of until now) supplies the Wi-Fi integration components. That consists of a Wi-Fi module that plugs into the innards of the lock and a Wi-Fi receiver that plugs into your wall socket. I have to give a shout out to the excellent support that I needed to lean on when the lock would not report an accurate open/close status of the deadbolt to the app. I called August support and they eventually pulled in Yale support. The problem was that the deadbolt was longer than the deadbolt it replaced, and I had to drill out the receiving recess a bit more. After that, perfect! The product included a small accessory that attached to the door frame and allows the lock to report on the open/close status of the door. A small but powerful magnet is mounted to the door frame and when the lock is close enough to detect it, the status is closed. I chose not to install that because I didn’t have the 5/8” spade bit needed to flush mount the magnet and I have heard reports of premature battery depletion so I didn’t feel that another battery draining feature was worth it. I may change my mind later, but we have never had an issue with leaving the door opened. If someone forces the door open, it’s not clear that the app will send a notification. Now for the downside - fulfillment was a disappointment. The box arrived damaged, it looked like it was previously opened, and I ordered bronze but received black. To sum it up, the product looks like it has 5 star potential, manufacturers support gets 5 stars, documentation gets 3 stars (diagrams are ok, but not enough verbiage), and fulfillment gets 1 star.