In this guide
What we like
- Retrofit design — exterior hardware and existing keys are unchanged
- Ideal for renters; reversible with no visible modification
- Optional Auto-Unlock using compatible phone and app settings
- Detailed activity log showing who came and went
What to watch
- Bulky on the interior side of the door
- Battery life is shorter than keypad deadbolts
- No built-in keypad on most models — phone or add-on required
- Auto-Unlock depends on phone permissions and connectivity
Why retrofit matters more than it sounds
Most smart locks replace your entire deadbolt, inside and out. That means new exterior hardware, a different finish from the rest of your door furniture, your existing keys becoming useless, and — for renters — a modification most tenancy agreements do not permit.
August takes the opposite approach. It attaches to the inside of the deadbolt you already have and turns the existing thumb turn. Outside, nothing changes. Your keys still work. Remove it when you move and the door is exactly as you found it.
For renters this is frequently decisive. For owners it means keeping period door furniture that a modern lock would ruin, and keeping a physical key as a genuine fallback rather than an emergency-only override.
Auto-unlock is the feature people keep
August’s Auto-Unlock explanation describes how the app uses your phone’s GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to detect when you leave and return. Auto-Unlock is inactive in Home mode; after the app enters Away mode, it can unlock when you return near the lock.
Follow the current setup instructions for your phone, including the required location and Bluetooth permissions, and check how it behaves during your normal arrivals. Keep the app and your phone’s operating system up to date.
A security note worth stating: auto-unlock means your door unlocks when your phone approaches. If your phone is stolen with an unlocked screen, that is a real exposure. Weigh it against the convenience honestly rather than assuming.
The compromises
It is bulky. The interior side carries a visible cylinder. Considerably less obtrusive than early versions, still noticeable.
Battery life is shorter than keypad deadbolts, typically a few months, because it drives an existing mechanism rather than a purpose-built one. A stiff deadbolt drains it faster — service the lock before fitting.
Most models have no keypad. Entry is by phone, key, or an add-on keypad sold separately. If you want code entry as the primary method, a keypad deadbolt from Yale or Schlage is a better fit.
It depends on your existing deadbolt. If that is worn, misaligned or low quality, August inherits the problem. It cannot make a bad lock good.
Who should buy August
Buy August if you rent; you want to keep existing keys and exterior hardware; auto-unlock appeals; or you want reversibility.
Buy something else if you want a keypad as the main entry method; you need maximum battery life; your existing deadbolt is poor; or a bulky interior fitting bothers you.
Sources and review scope
This is a research-based review. Our score is an editorial assessment using our published criteria; it is not a hands-on test result. We have not independently measured this product’s performance or long-term reliability.
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: fit and connection requirements
- August Auto-Unlock: phone and location requirements
What to check for your setup: The pictured Wi-Fi Smart Lock fits compatible single-cylinder deadbolts and has Wi-Fi built in; bridge requirements differ for other August models. Auto-Unlock depends on the phone's Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, location services and app state, so check deadbolt compatibility and phone setup before relying on hands-free entry.
Source notes checked . Prices and offers can change; confirm the current terms for your chosen equipment and plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does August work with my existing keys?
Yes — that is the point of the design. It fits inside your existing deadbolt, so exterior hardware and keys are unchanged.
Is August good for renters?
Very. Nothing on the outside of the door changes and installation is fully reversible. See our renter guide.
How long does the August battery last?
Typically a few months, shorter than keypad deadbolts. A stiff or misaligned deadbolt drains it noticeably faster — service the lock first.
Is auto-unlock secure?
It unlocks when your phone approaches, so a stolen unlocked phone is a genuine exposure. Many owners use it on a back door and keep the front door manual.
Full specifications and scores
At a glance
- Installation
- DIY
- Contract
- None
- Monitoring
- N/A
- Monthly
- $0
- Equipment
- $150–$280
- Storage
- Cloud (activity log)
- Works with
- Alexa, Google, Apple Home (model-dependent)
