In-depth review
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) Review (2027)
In-depth review of the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: retrofit install, DoorSense, auto-unlock, and the renter case.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
Keep your key and deadbolt; add brains inside.
Our verdict
The August 4th Gen is the only smart lock renters can install without asking anyone. It keeps your existing key, deadbolt, and exterior appearance while adding auto-lock, auto-unlock, and remote access over built-in WiFi. The missing keypad (sold separately) and the lack of exterior presence are real compromises, but for leased homes there is no better option.
What we like
- Retrofit design keeps your existing key, deadbolt, and exterior hardware
- Built-in WiFi with no bridge required for remote access
- DoorSense tells you if the door is open, closed, or ajar
- Auto-lock and auto-unlock based on phone proximity
What to watch out for
- No built-in keypad; the keypad is a separate accessory
- Interior-only unit means no exterior upgrade in looks or weather sealing
- Auto-unlock can trigger while you are still nearby but outside
What owners report: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Keeping the landlord visible deadbolt and the same key makes approval conversations simple
- Knowing from the app whether the door is closed, open, or ajar is the feature owners check most
- Auto lock and auto unlock together make the lock fade into the background of daily arrivals
Common complaints
- Guests need the app or a separate keypad, since there is no code pad on the unit itself
- The exterior gets no upgrade in finish or cylinder strength from this purchase
- Proximity unlock can trigger while the owner is nearby outside rather than arriving at the door
Who it is for
Renters, condo owners with HOA exterior rules, and anyone who wants smart features without changing the door outside.
The retrofit advantage
Installation replaces only the interior thumb turn; the exterior key cylinder and deadbolt stay exactly as they were. Your existing key keeps working, the landlord sees no change, and move-out reversal takes minutes. This single design decision removes every renter objection: no lock change to approve, no key to surrender, no exterior alteration for HOAs to flag.
Invisible daily use
Auto-unlock detects your phone approaching and retracts the bolt as you reach the door; auto-lock secures it behind you on a timer. DoorSense confirms open versus closed so you get told the door is ajar rather than discovering it later. The 4th Gen built-in WiFi finally removed the old bridge puck, so remote access and notifications work out of the box.
Limits
There is no keypad on the unit, so guests need the app or the separate August keypad accessory. Because only the interior changes, you get no exterior upgrade: no tougher cylinder, no new finish. Auto-unlock can occasionally trigger while you linger near the door outside, so set the geofence thoughtfully and rely on auto-lock as the backstop.
Key specifications
- Design
- Retrofit, interior mount
- Unlock methods
- App, auto-unlock, key (existing)
- Connectivity
- Built-in WiFi, Bluetooth
- Door sensor
- DoorSense open/closed detection
- Battery
- 2x CR123A
Also consider
Yale Assure Lock 2
The flexible keypad lock that fits every smart home.
Why consider it: Full keypad replacement for renters whose lease allows a deadbolt swap.
- Security grade: ANSI/BHMA Grade 2
- Unlock methods: Keypad, key, app
Schlage Encode Plus
Apple HomeKey plus WiFi, in a Grade 1 deadbolt.
Why consider it: Maximum security and HomeKey for owners who can replace the deadbolt.
- Security grade: ANSI/BHMA Grade 1
- Unlock methods: Apple HomeKey, keypad, key, app
Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Does my landlord need to approve it?
Usually not, since nothing changes on the exterior and the original key keeps working. Check your lease for smart device clauses, but retrofit locks are the least objectionable category.
What if my phone dies while I am out?
Your physical key still works, because the exterior cylinder is untouched. This is the retrofit safety net no full-replacement lock can match.
Can guests get in without the app?
Only with the separate August keypad accessory or a physical key copy. For frequent guests, the keypad accessory is worth adding at purchase.