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Best Retrofit Smart Lock

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Pro Review (2026) — Best Retrofit Smart Lock

By the Silent Security Editorial Team · Last updated March 2026 · How we test
8.4
/10
★★★★½
Best Retrofit Smart Lock
Price$229.99 (no hub required)
ConnectivityBuilt-in Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) — no bridge needed
InstallationReplaces interior thumb turn only — keep your existing key
Smart HomeApple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings
Auto-LockYes — configurable from 15 seconds to 30 minutes
Guest AccessYes — app-based temporary access codes
Battery4× AA batteries — ~6 months
DoorSenseDoor position sensor — knows if door is ajar
Pros
  • Keeps your existing exterior hardware — no locksmith, no rekeying
  • Built-in Wi-Fi means no separate bridge or hub purchase
  • Works with all four major platforms: HomeKit, Alexa, Google, SmartThings
  • DoorSense tells you if the door is open (not just unlocked)
  • Auto-lock with configurable delay prevents accidentally leaving unlocked
Cons
  • At $229.99, it's one of the most expensive smart locks
  • Wi-Fi connectivity drains batteries faster than Z-Wave alternatives
  • App responsiveness can lag 2–4 seconds vs. Z-Wave locks
  • Interior-only installation: exterior still uses your existing key
  • Battery compartment requires a coin to open — minor annoyance
Buy August WiFi Lock on Amazon → How We Score
ℹ Independence Note: Silent Security.net tests and evaluates products independently. No brand has paid for placement or influenced this review score.
How we score: Our rating combines protection effectiveness (40%), ease of use for non-technical households (25%), value for money (20%), and privacy practices (15%). Full methodology →

What Is the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Pro?

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Pro is a retrofit smart lock — meaning it attaches to the interior side of your existing deadbolt without replacing the exterior hardware. Installation takes 10–15 minutes using a screwdriver and the included mounting plates. Your existing keys still work on the outside, and your existing deadbolt cylinder doesn't change.

The built-in Wi-Fi (added in the "Pro" designation) eliminates the August Connect bridge that older models required. You get full remote access, guest codes, and auto-lock directly through Wi-Fi without any additional hardware purchases — a meaningful simplification over the prior generation.

DoorSense & Auto-Lock

August's DoorSense technology is an underappreciated feature that differentiates it from many competitors. The included door position sensor (installed on the door frame) tells the lock whether the door is physically open or closed — not just whether the lock is engaged. If your door is open, the lock won't auto-lock (which would trap the bolt against the strike plate, damaging the hardware). This prevents a common failure mode in smart locks without door sensors.

Auto-lock timing is configurable from 15 seconds to 30 minutes via the app. Activity notifications can be set to alert you every time the lock engages or disengages — useful for households with children or frequent visitors.

✓ Renter-Friendly: Because August installs over your existing interior thumb turn and keeps exterior hardware unchanged, most landlords and lease agreements permit installation without approval. Always confirm with your landlord before drilling any mounting hardware.

Multi-Platform Integration

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Pro supports Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings — a breadth of integration that few competitors match. In HomeKit, the lock appears as a standard Home accessory, enabling automations like "lock when I leave home" or "unlock when I arrive." Alexa and Google voice commands work for locking (but not unlocking, for security reasons, on Alexa).

SmartThings compatibility makes August particularly useful in setups that mix brands — you can trigger lock/unlock events from SimpliSafe alarm state changes, for example.

August vs. Schlage vs. Yale

Schlage Encode Plus ($299.99) replaces your entire deadbolt (exterior and interior) and offers built-in keypad entry with Apple HomeKit. It's more secure (commercial-grade bolt) and adds keypad convenience but costs $70 more and requires rekeying. Yale Assure Lock 2 ($219.99) is similar in retrofit approach but offers both keypad and key versions. August wins on installation simplicity and multi-platform support; Schlage wins on physical security grade; Yale is a strong mid-ground.

Buy It If / Skip It If

Buy It If
  • You rent or don't want to change exterior door hardware
  • You want multi-platform support (HomeKit, Alexa, Google, SmartThings)
  • DoorSense (door position awareness) matters for automation reliability
  • Simple 10-minute installation without a locksmith appeals to you
Skip It If
  • You want a keypad for code-based entry (August is app/phone only without accessories)
  • You want the highest physical security grade bolt (consider Schlage Encode Plus)
  • Battery life is critical — Z-Wave locks last significantly longer between changes
  • You don't want to replace your existing key-based system at all

Company Background & Trust

HeadquartersSan Francisco, California, USA
Founded2012
Parent CompanyASSA ABLOY AB (acquired 2017) — Swedish multinational, world's largest lock manufacturer.
Publicly TradedParent: Nasdaq Stockholm: ASSA B
Hardware OriginDesigned in USA; manufactured in China
Audits & CertsNo published independent digital security audits.
✓ Trusted

Trusted. US company backed by ASSA ABLOY — the world's most respected lock manufacturer with 100+ years of physical security expertise. No documented data breaches, regulatory actions, or security incidents. Swedish parent company operates under EU GDPR standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Pro is a certified HomeKit accessory. It appears in the Apple Home app, supports Siri voice commands for locking, enables location-based automations (auto-lock when you leave), and works with Apple's Home key feature for NFC-based unlocking on iPhone and Apple Watch.

August's app allows you to create 'virtual keys' with customizable access schedules. You can grant a houseguest 24-hour access, give a dog walker Monday-Wednesday-Friday access between noon and 2 PM, or create recurring access for a family member. Access can be revoked instantly from the app at any time, without rekeying.

The lock continues to function locally — you can still unlock with your physical key (exterior) or the August app via Bluetooth when you're within range (~30 feet). Auto-lock also continues working locally. Remote access (from outside Bluetooth range) requires Wi-Fi to restore. The lock does not fail open or lock you out during connectivity interruptions.

Related Guides

Best Smart Locks 2026
Our full smart lock category rankings
›
Schlage Encode Plus Review
Compare August vs. Schlage for smart locks
›
Yale Assure Lock 2 Review
Another strong retrofit smart lock option
›

Our Recommended Home Security Kit

These are the specific products we recommend for a complete, layered home protection setup.

Smart Lock
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Pro
Best retrofit, multi-platform, DoorSense
ReviewBuy on Amazon
Keypad Lock
Schlage Encode Plus
Commercial-grade, HomeKit, built-in keypad
ReviewBuy on Amazon
Security System
Abode
Native Z-Wave and HomeKit integration
ReviewBuy
Video Doorbell
Google Nest Doorbell Wired
See who's at the door before unlocking
ReviewBuy on Amazon
Prices shown are approximate. Affiliate disclosure.

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