Guest keys can also be designed as “recurring” which will limit them to a set weekly or daily schedule, or “temporary” to only be active witin a specific time frame, after which they expire. Virtual keys can be designated as “Owner” or “Guest” keys, with the latter limited access to only locking and unlocking the door. Additional iPhone and Android users can be invited to have full or limited access to your home by sending them “virtual keys” that they can use by installing the August Home app on their own devices, and a full activity log provides the ability to track when the lock has been locked or unlocked and by whom. As with any Bluetooth HomeKit device, at this point you won’t be able to use the August Smart Lock to initiate an event, but the locked or unlocked status can be used as a condition in an event triggered by location or some other HomeKit event.īeyond HomeKit, however, August has a few more unique tricks up its sleeve. locking your door when you say “Good night” to Siri), and in scheduled, event, and location-based triggers. As with any other HomeKit device, the August Smart Lock can also be managed using third-party HomeKit apps, and included in scenes (e.g. Like the Schlage Sense or any other HomeKit lock, you’ll need to issue these commands with an additional layer of authentication for obvious security reasons - either an iPhone that’s already unlocked, a Siri request that’s authenticated with Touch ID, or an Apple Watch that you’re wearing with Wrist Detection enabled. Once configured, the August Smart Lock can be used with standard Siri commands for locking, unlocking, and checking status of the door, and there aren’t really any surprises on this side. The whole process took a few more steps than we expected, but it was by no means unreasonably long. The August Home app lets you do this in either order, but you’ll ultimately be required to setup and activate an August account either way, which also involves entering and verifying your SMS phone number and email address. Once the lock is installed and activated, firing up the August Home app on your iPhone will then take you through the process of setting up an August account and pairing it for HomeKit use. These come pre-installed and can be found, along with the HomeKit code, under the magnetically attached coverplate on the front, with a plastic strip that needs to be removed to activate the Smart Lock. Like the other locks we’ve looked at, the August Smart Lock communicates using Bluetooth, and runs on four AA batteries.
The installation process is straightforward and well documented, and for most designs will simply require undoing two screws to switch the thumb knob for the August mounting bracket, selecting the adapter that matches the tailpiece, and sliding the August Smart Lock on and locking it into place. The universal mounting plate is also a nice switch from the first-generation August Smart Lock which included three different plates to accommodate different deadbolt designs. An adhesive strip is also thoughtfully included to help you hold the front deadbolt keyhole piece in place while working on the back of the lock. The August Smart Lock package includes the main locking unit itself, a single universal mounting plate, and three adapters to fit the majority of different deadbolt tailpiece styles. It’s a sensible approach, considering August’s position as a relative newcomer to the lock business - for purely physical security, users are more likely to trust a name like Schlage or Kwikset, so August’s approach means the company doesn’t even need to pretend to make any security claims in this area.Īlthough replacing a deadbolt isn’t all that difficult in most cases, with the August Smart Lock it’s even easier as you don’t need to actually remove anything other than the inside plate of the lock. This approach has the advantage of allowing for a simpler installation process while also leaving users free to either use whatever door hardware is already in place or use anything else that fits their style and taste. Basically, the August Smart Lock replaces the thumb latch used to lock and unlock your deadbolt, leaving everything else intact. The August Smart Lock takes a somewhat different approach from the other smart locks we’ve looked at, such as Schlage’s Sense and Kwikset’s Kevo instead of including a full lockset with the actual deadbolt and key cylinder, August relies on your existing components for the locking hardware, and focuses simply on the electronics and mechanics of turning the locking mechanism.
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