In-depth review
Schlage Encode Plus Review (2027)
In-depth review of the Schlage Encode Plus: Apple HomeKey, Grade 1 security, and built-in WiFi tested against the claims.
Our verdict
The Encode Plus is the best smart lock for iPhone households and the best-built lock in this guide. Grade 1 certification, built-in WiFi with no hub, and HomeKey tap-to-unlock that survives a dead phone battery make it the complete package. The price is premium and Android users lose the headline feature, but nothing else matches this combination of security and integration.
What we like
- Apple HomeKey: tap iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock, even with a dead phone battery
- Built-in WiFi for remote access with no separate hub or bridge
- ANSI Grade 1 certified, the highest residential security rating
- Fingerprint-resistant touchscreen keypad with up to 100 access codes
What to watch out for
- No fingerprint reader; keypad codes or phone are the keyless methods
- HomeKey is Apple-only, Android users lose the headline feature
- Premium price for the hardware
What owners report: Schlage Encode Plus
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Tapping a phone or watch to unlock, even as the phone battery fades, becomes the default way in
- The touchscreen not showing worn code patterns gives owners more confidence in code entry
- Built in Wi-Fi without a bridge keeps remote checking and guest codes simple to manage
Common complaints
- Android members of the household cannot use the tap to unlock headline feature
- There is no fingerprint option for anyone who prefers biometrics over phone or code
- The premium hardware price is noticeable when several exterior doors need locks
Who it is for
iPhone owners who want the most secure and most integrated smart lock, and anyone who values ANSI Grade 1 build quality.
HomeKey is the killer feature
Apple HomeKey turns the lock into an extension of the phone you already carry. With Express Mode, holding the iPhone or Watch near the lock unlocks it without waking the device, entering a code, or opening an app. Power reserve keeps it working for hours after the phone battery dies, which covers the exact scenario, dead phone at the front door, where every other phone-based unlock fails. Sharing keys through Wallet with time limits is cleaner than texting codes to guests.
Security and build
ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 is the highest residential rating and it shows in the hardware: solid metal construction, a reinforced strike plate, and anti-pick, anti-drill, anti-bump cylinder protection. The fingerprint-resistant touchscreen avoids the worn-code-pattern problem of glossy keypads. Up to 100 access codes with scheduling cover household staff and rentals. Built-in WiFi means remote locking and notifications with no bridge, though WiFi does draw more battery than Bluetooth-only designs.
Who should skip it
Android-only households pay the premium without getting HomeKey, which removes the main differentiator over cheaper keypad locks. There is no fingerprint reader, so buyers set on biometrics should look at the Kwikset Halo Touch. And the price sits at the top of the category; the Yale Assure Lock 2 delivers most of the keypad experience for less if HomeKey is not required.
Key specifications
- Security grade
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 1
- Unlock methods
- Apple HomeKey, keypad, key, app
- Connectivity
- Built-in WiFi, Bluetooth
- Access codes
- Up to 100
- Battery
- 2x AA (keypad model)
Also consider
Yale Assure Lock 2
The flexible keypad lock that fits every smart home.
Why consider it: Keypad flexibility with modular radios for non-Apple or mixed-platform homes at a lower price.
- Security grade: ANSI/BHMA Grade 2
- Unlock methods: Keypad, key, app
Kwikset Halo Touch
Fingerprint unlock with WiFi, at a mid-range price.
Why consider it: Fingerprint unlock for buyers who prefer biometrics over phone tap.
- Security grade: ANSI/BHMA Grade 2
- Unlock methods: Fingerprint, 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 HomeKey work when my iPhone is dead?
Yes, for several hours via power reserve. Express Mode HomeKey transactions use NFC and work without the phone being powered on, unlike app or Bluetooth unlock.
Is installation difficult?
It replaces a standard deadbolt with a screwdriver in about 30 minutes. You need a compatible deadbolt prep: standard 2-1/8 inch bore and 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch backset, which covers most US doors.
How is battery life?
WiFi connectivity costs battery versus Bluetooth locks, but Schlage rates months of typical use on two AA batteries, with low-battery warnings well in advance. Heavy remote use shortens it; keep spare AAs.