Local Smart Home Guide
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August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)

August

mid HA: okayFunctional but cloud-dependent for core features; the integration leans on the vendor cloud. local: limitedOnly basic local control; most features need the cloud. wifibluetooth
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August Wi-Fi Smart Lock in silver
Owner’s hands-on review ★★★☆☆

Stays connected, good form factor, but...

This review covers the 2nd-generation lock.

Along with a slew of Hue bulbs, it’s the longest-surviving smart home device I own. It has stayed connected the entire time, with Bluetooth as a backup for phone control. What I’ve never loved is that it leans mostly on the cloud integration. I’ve since switched to the Bluetooth integration Yale added, which seems good so far, though I haven’t run it for long.

The downside: Minnesota’s temperature swings make the door and frame expand and contract. When that happens I can still throw the bolt by hand without much trouble, but the August lock doesn’t have quite enough torque to manage it — and it lets out an awful screeching sound trying. That’ll probably push me to replace it before this winter.

Site owner · 2026-06-10

Quick verdict

The August retrofit design is its killer feature. Snap it over your existing deadbolt, keep your keys, no locksmith needed. It works with basically every voice assistant. The tradeoff is heavy cloud dependency, so local-first buyers should look elsewhere.

Standout: Retrofit design installs over your existing deadbolt in minutes with no locksmith needed.

Last checked: 2026-03-22

Compatibility snapshot

Home Assistant okayFunctional but cloud-dependent for core features; the integration leans on the vendor cloud.
Apple Home goodWell supported, with only minor gaps.
Google Home goodWell supported, with only minor gaps.
Alexa goodWell supported, with only minor gaps.
Works offline partly / no
Setup easy
Extra hub needed no
Power battery

Why it stands out

  • retrofit design fits over existing deadbolt, so you keep your keys
  • broad ecosystem support across Apple Home, Google, and Alexa
  • built-in Wi-Fi eliminates the need for a separate bridge

Reasons to hesitate

  • cloud-dependent for remote access and most integrations
  • battery life can suffer with heavy Wi-Fi usage
  • no local API for Home Assistant, cloud polling only

Best for

  • renters who cannot replace their deadbolt
  • multi-ecosystem households wanting broad voice assistant support
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Avoid if

  • you want fully local smart lock control
  • you prioritize long battery life over Wi-Fi convenience

Privacy and local-control notes

Relies on August/Yale cloud for remote access and integrations. Bluetooth provides local proximity control only.

Home Assistant support: supported · integration path: august (cloud API).

Buying reality check

Price notes: Mid-range for smart locks; built-in Wi-Fi saves buying a separate bridge.

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