August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) Review (2026)
Quick Verdict: The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th generation) remains the strongest choice for renters and anyone who wants smart access without changing the way their door looks from the outside. Rather than replacing the entire deadbolt, August installs only over the interior thumb-turn — your existing exterior keyway and your physical keys keep working exactly as before. The 4th-generation unit is roughly 45% smaller than the model it replaced, adds built-in Wi-Fi so no separate bridge is required, and supports auto-unlock, remote control, and broad smart-home compatibility including Alexa, Google Home, and Apple ecosystems via Matter-over-bridge. It is not the most secure or the most feature-dense lock on the market, and battery life depends heavily on Wi-Fi signal, but for keeping your keys and your landlord happy while gaining real convenience, nothing matches it.
| Specification | August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) |
|---|---|
| Type | Interior retrofit (replaces thumb-turn only) |
| Connectivity | Built-in Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) + Bluetooth; no separate bridge needed |
| Smart-home support | Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home/Siri (Matter-over-bridge), August app |
| Access methods | App, auto-unlock (geofencing), remote unlock, existing physical key, shared digital keys |
| Keypad | None built in (optional August Smart Keypad sold separately) |
| Power | 2 × CR123 lithium batteries |
| Battery life | Roughly 3–6 months (varies with Wi-Fi connectivity) |
| Encryption | AES 128-bit and TLS |
| Finish | Silver / Matte Black |
| Price tier | $$ (mid-range) |
How We Researched the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
This review synthesizes independent expert coverage from outlets including Android Police, Tom’s Guide, TechGearLab, and published owner feedback at major retailers, cross-referenced against August’s official product specifications. We do not perform our own destructive lab testing, and we do not present manufacturer marketing as independent verification. Instead, we weigh the consistent conclusions that professional reviewers reach when they install and live with the lock, and we flag the points where their experiences diverge — battery life and auto-unlock reliability being the two recurring themes. August did not pay for placement in this article.
Design and Installation
The defining feature of the August lock is what it does not change. It mounts entirely on the inside of your door, clamping over the existing deadbolt’s thumb-turn. From the hallway or street, your door looks completely unchanged: same exterior escutcheon, same keyway, same key. For renters this is the single most important design decision August ever made, because it means installation requires no drilling, no replacement of the lockset, and — critically — no permission to alter the door hardware. When you move, you unscrew the August unit and reattach the original thumb-turn in minutes.
The 4th-generation redesign shrank the interior body by roughly 45% compared with the older, notably bulky cylinder. It is now a rounded puck that sits much more discreetly against the door. Installation is genuinely beginner-friendly: most reviewers complete it in 10 to 15 minutes with a single included screwdriver and an adapter that matches your specific deadbolt brand. August includes several adapter sizes in the box to fit the majority of standard single-cylinder deadbolts. The main installation caveat is fit — if your existing deadbolt is unusually stiff, misaligned, or a non-standard mechanism, the motor can struggle, so it is worth confirming your deadbolt turns smoothly by hand before installing.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi Without a Bridge
Earlier August generations required a separate “Connect” Wi-Fi bridge plugged into a nearby outlet to enable remote access. The 4th-generation lock builds Wi-Fi directly into the unit, so remote locking, status checks, and notifications work straight out of the box over your home’s 2.4GHz network. Bluetooth handles close-range, phone-to-lock communication for fast local control and auto-unlock.
Smart-home integration is broad. The lock works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home for voice control and routines, and it reaches Apple’s Home app and Siri through Matter-over-bridge, which keeps it relevant as the Matter standard matures across 2026. August uses AES 128-bit encryption and TLS to protect the commands traveling between your phone, the cloud, and the lock — standard, appropriate security for this product category.
Everyday Use: Auto-Unlock and Digital Keys
Auto-unlock is August’s signature convenience feature. Using your phone’s location (geofencing) combined with Bluetooth proximity, the lock can detect when you have left the area and later returned, then unlock the door automatically as you approach the porch — no app, no tapping. When it works, it is the closest thing to a truly hands-free entry experience. When it misfires, it is the feature owners complain about most: depending on phone, Wi-Fi signal, and how the geofence is tuned, auto-unlock can trigger too early, too late, or occasionally not at all. Reviewers consistently describe it as excellent most of the time but not flawless, and recommend treating it as a convenience rather than a guarantee.
Sharing access is a strong point. Through the August app you can issue digital keys to family, guests, dog walkers, or cleaners, with schedules (for example, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and the ability to revoke instantly. The activity log shows who locked or unlocked and when. Because the physical keyway is untouched, you also retain a traditional key as an always-available backup — a meaningful reassurance that fully keyless locks cannot offer.
Battery Life: The Honest Picture
August is powered by two CR123 lithium cells. Real-world battery life clusters around three to six months, and the spread is meaningful: the single biggest variable is Wi-Fi. A lock placed far from the router, fighting a weak or unstable signal, drains batteries noticeably faster because the radio works harder to stay connected. Owners with strong, nearby Wi-Fi report life toward the longer end of that range; those at the edge of coverage report the shorter end. The app warns you well before depletion, and CR123 cells are inexpensive and quick to swap, so this is an annoyance rather than a serious flaw — but buyers expecting the year-plus life some AA-powered keypad locks advertise should calibrate expectations.
Step-by-Step: What Installation Actually Involves
Because installation is the single biggest reason buyers choose August, it is worth walking through what the process actually looks like. You begin by removing the interior thumb-turn from your existing deadbolt — typically two screws — while leaving everything else, including the exterior keyway, untouched. August includes a set of mounting plates and adapters sized to fit the major deadbolt brands; you select the one matching your lock and attach it to the door. The August body then clamps onto that plate over the deadbolt’s tailpiece, and the unit’s motor takes over the job your fingers used to do when turning the thumb-turn. The whole sequence is genuinely beginner-friendly: no drilling, no removal of the exterior hardware, and a single included screwdriver. Most reviewers and owners finish in ten to fifteen minutes.
The one preparatory step that prevents nearly all problems is checking that your existing deadbolt throws smoothly by hand before you start. If the bolt binds, sticks, or requires force, the August motor will have to fight that resistance every time, which drains the battery faster and can cause occasional incomplete locks. A few minutes spent lubricating the bolt or adjusting the strike-plate alignment up front pays off in months of reliable, quiet operation. After mounting, the app walks you through pairing and a brief calibration so the lock learns the precise rotation that fully locks and unlocks your specific door.
Living With August Day to Day
In everyday use, the August experience centers on the app and on auto-unlock. The home screen shows the door’s current state at a glance, and a single tap locks or unlocks it locally over Bluetooth or remotely over Wi-Fi. Notifications can alert you whenever the door is locked or unlocked and by whom, which is reassuring for parents tracking when kids get home or anyone keeping an eye on a cleaner or contractor. The DoorSense feature — a small door-position sensor August includes — adds a genuinely useful layer by telling you not just whether the lock is engaged but whether the door is actually closed, so you are warned if the door is merely pulled to but not latched.
Voice control through Alexa and Google Home lets you check status or lock the door by voice (unlocking by voice typically requires a spoken PIN for security), and routines can fold the lock into broader smart-home scenes such as a “goodnight” command that locks up and turns off lights. Through Matter-over-bridge, the lock also surfaces in Apple’s Home app for users invested in that ecosystem. None of this changes the lock’s core renter-friendly appeal, but it does mean August grows with a connected home rather than sitting isolated.
Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Installs over the existing deadbolt — keeps your exterior hardware and physical keys, ideal for renters
- No drilling or lockset replacement; 10–15 minute install with included adapters
- 45% smaller 4th-gen interior body is far more discreet than older models
- Built-in Wi-Fi means remote control with no separate bridge to buy or power
- Broad smart-home support: Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home/Siri via Matter-over-bridge
- Auto-unlock, scheduled digital keys, and a full activity log
- AES 128-bit and TLS encryption
Limitations:
- No built-in keypad — keypad access requires the separately sold August Smart Keypad
- Battery life (roughly 3–6 months) is shorter than many keypad deadbolts and is sensitive to Wi-Fi strength
- Auto-unlock reliability varies by phone and signal; not flawless
- Because it relies on your existing deadbolt, overall physical security is only as good as the lock it attaches to
- No fingerprint option
Who Should Buy the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Best for: Renters and apartment dwellers, anyone who wants to keep their existing keys and exterior hardware, and smart-home users who value broad ecosystem compatibility and easy guest sharing.
Buy it if you: cannot or do not want to modify the exterior of your door; want a genuinely simple, no-drilling installation; like the idea of auto-unlock and remote access; and value retaining a physical key as backup.
Skip it if you: want a built-in keypad or fingerprint reader without buying an add-on; need the longest possible battery life; or want the highest physical security grade — in which case a Grade 1 keypad deadbolt like the Schlage Encode Plus is the better fit.
Alternatives Worth Considering
Schlage Encode Plus — Most Secure with a Keypad
Best for: Buyers who want a built-in touchscreen keypad, the highest residential security grade, and Apple Home Key.
The Encode Plus is a full deadbolt replacement carrying ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 certification, built-in Wi-Fi, an integrated touchscreen keypad, and Apple Home Key NFC tap-to-unlock. It is a more secure, more self-contained product than August, but it requires replacing the entire lockset — which makes it unsuitable for most renters. If you own your home and want maximum security plus keypad entry, it is the stronger choice.
Yale Assure Lock 2 — Most Modular
Best for: Buyers who want to start simple and add connectivity (Wi-Fi, fingerprint, keypad) over time.
The Assure Lock 2 is a modular deadbolt platform: you choose your keypad/fingerprint configuration up front and can add Yale’s Smart Module for Wi-Fi later. It offers a fingerprint variant August lacks, but like the Schlage it is a full deadbolt replacement and is rated ANSI/BHMA Grade 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the August lock replace my whole deadbolt?
No. It replaces only the interior thumb-turn and clamps over your existing deadbolt mechanism. The exterior of your door — including the keyway and your physical keys — stays exactly the same. This is what makes it the go-to choice for renters.
Do I still need the August Connect bridge for remote access?
No. The 4th-generation August Wi-Fi Smart Lock has Wi-Fi built in, so remote locking, status checks, and notifications work without the separate Connect bridge that older generations required.
How long do the batteries last?
Most owners see roughly three to six months on two CR123 lithium cells. The biggest factor is Wi-Fi signal strength: a lock far from the router drains faster because its radio works harder. The app warns you in advance, and the cells are inexpensive to replace.
Does it work with Apple Home Key?
No. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock reaches Apple’s Home app and Siri through Matter-over-bridge, but it does not support Apple Home Key NFC tap-to-unlock. If tap-with-your-iPhone entry is a priority, the Schlage Encode Plus or Level Lock+ support Home Key directly.
Is auto-unlock reliable?
Mostly, but not perfectly. Auto-unlock uses geofencing plus Bluetooth proximity, and its accuracy depends on your phone, your Wi-Fi, and how the geofence is configured. Reviewers describe it as working well the large majority of the time, with occasional early, late, or missed triggers. Treat it as a convenience rather than a guarantee.
Can I give temporary access to guests?
Yes. The August app lets you issue digital keys with schedules and revoke them instantly, and it keeps an activity log of who locked or unlocked the door and when.
Final Verdict
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th generation) earns its long-standing reputation as the best smart lock for renters and for anyone who wants smart access without altering their door. The retrofit design that keeps your keys and exterior hardware, the much smaller 4th-gen body, built-in Wi-Fi, and broad smart-home compatibility add up to a genuinely convenient package that installs in minutes. It is not the most secure lock — its physical security is inherited from whatever deadbolt it attaches to — it lacks a built-in keypad and fingerprint reader, and its battery life is modest and Wi-Fi-dependent. But for its core audience, those trade-offs are exactly the right ones. If you want to keep your keys and skip the drill, August is the answer.
Last updated: June 2026
See our main guide: Best Smart Locks.