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There is a lot of misinformation on this product. Let me clarify..
1. The actual lock communicates with the bridge via BLE (Bluetooth) and its the bridge which conncts to your router via WiFi. Since the bridge is plugged-in, there is no issue about the bridge "draining power".
2. The advantage of the lock with BLE is that once your iPhone is in close proximity to the lock, it connects via Bluetooth - so, if you ever lose your WiFi or electricity, you can always unlock/lock with your iphone.
3. It is critical to make sure that your deadbolt locks smoothly (ie the door is very well aligned). This is where the battery drain issues occur. If the motor has to work hard to move the deadbolt or it is stuck against the strike plate, you WILLdrain battery fast. Make sure that your door is perfectly aligned all the time, closes completely, and the lock can move in-out freely and that you regularly lubricate the mechanics of the deadbolt (Do NOT use WD-40, but a gel type log acting lubricant).
4. The lock works with Alexa and can be locked or even unlocked by Alexa (need a code for unlock). No connection to RING.
5. The lock does have geofencing for those interested. It unocks as you come near.
6. The lock can be set to automatically lock after X minutes, so that you can unlock, close the door and walk away.
7. You can share access to the lock via app
8. Yes, you can use your apple watch to lock/unlock
9. A t this price it is a great deal (if your door closes perfectly all the time)
I have this for the past 3+ years and no issues. The big round knob is bit strange and looks funny.
I have had an august smart lock for 3 years. Main benefits
- The app can be set to away mode, which means when you leave your area (1 mile from your home) and come to the front door, the bluetooth will detect you're there and auto unlock the door. It doesn't sound like much, but honestly it's something I am so used to at this point that I cannot see myself going back.
- The connect is to allow you to access to the lock outside the home, this isn't needed if you have an Apple TV as you can just connect it to Apple Home.
- August has it's own app, it doesnt connect directly with other apps like Ring for example, but nothing is stopping you from unlocking remotely.
- You can add guests will time limits to the lock, but away mode only works for owners
OP you may wanna clarify this is 3rd Gen, which requires connect to remote lock and unlock (Unless you have apple home setup with an Apple TV)
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The review is so so, anyone know if they're good for an Airbnb?
No. They are garbage. At first they seem great. In time, the Keypads get buggy. The hardware is all plastic inside so they break and magically the company doesn't replace them... Yes your $300 original msrp don't have even a one year warranty.
The app gets wickedly slow, waiting five mins to delete a previous guest I have lists hundreds long with their slow software.
Guests yank them out if calibration easily.
My locks are all dying/breaking/malfunctioning. I manage multiple properties and we have 16 of these all slowly failing. After calling the company they are not helpful.
Salty? Yup. I convinced all of my property owning clients to get these. Now I look dumb. I personally have been dealing with these.
We are transitioning to yale and thus far they are better fit airbnb and regular home users.
I don't recommend the August lock, the battery last only 2 months with regular usage. I would recommend a nest door bell
Hog wash.
The only way your battery only lasts 2 months is if your WiFi sucks and the smart lock is constantly trying to connect to WiFi.
I've been using august for years and the door I use everyday/heavy usage lasts 9-12 months.
Although.
I don't recommend August.
App used to be really bad.
Now it's just mediocre.
I don't even try to use widgets anymore.
I would go with something that is rock solid compatible with Apple/iPhone if you have an iPhone.
And queue the arguments about august and other smart locks not secure.
It's this thing called windows and if I want to break into your house I can just bust out a window.
Last edited by choctawfootball December 15, 2023 at 06:28 PM.
The review is so so, anyone know if they're good for an Airbnb?
Not sure what else people want from a relatively easy retrofit option that only requires opening up one side vs replacing the lock completely for others. I have used Level (reliability is shit but most covert) but August was the easiest and most reliable. Only complaint is one of my family members custom steel door didn't have enough clearance, but neither did any other current retrofit option. They offer a keypad but it's screwed/adhesive stick on separately and defeats the purpose of not advertising to walkerbys that it's a digital lock capable of being remotely hacked (I understand it's rare but it's important to people who live in high foot traffic areas imo)
I've had this lock for over 2 years, at first it was great, but now the bridge frequently loses connection. I'm going to have to replace it.
Same with me. I have had this lock for 4 years. The bridge worked fine initially but after some time if loses connection to wifi. But it works fine when on bluetooth. Open door automatically when i arrive home.
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Hog wash.
The only way your battery only lasts 2 months is if your WiFi sucks and the smart lock is constantly trying to connect to WiFi.
I've been using august for years and the door I use everyday/heavy usage lasts 9-12 months.
Although.
I don't recommend August.
App used to be really bad.
Now it's just mediocre.
I don't even try to use widgets anymore.
I would go with something that is rock solid compatible with Apple/iPhone if you have an iPhone.
And queue the arguments about august and other smart locks not secure.
It's this thing called windows and if I want to break into your house I can just bust out a window.
Yeah, the Homekit functionality is a bit spotty for me and the app is just so cumbersome to use. You have to select the house first and then open the lock every time you open the house. That's even if you have only one house. Are there any better locks for a similar lock?
Hog wash.
The only way your battery only lasts 2 months is if your WiFi sucks and the smart lock is constantly trying to connect to WiFi.
I've been using august for years and the door I use everyday/heavy usage lasts 9-12 months.
Although.
I don't recommend August.
App used to be really bad.
Now it's just mediocre.
I don't even try to use widgets anymore.
I would go with something that is rock solid compatible with Apple/iPhone if you have an iPhone.
And queue the arguments about august and other smart locks not secure.
It's this thing called windows and if I want to break into your house I can just bust out a window.
How is the battery being drain have to do with anything with WiFi? I went through a pack of 24 battery's within a couple of months. This door lock isn't the best for the price. I bought it when it was on sale for 80$, I'd rather go with something like the nest Yale door lock.
I have a metal door too and didn't think I can use any smart locks. I tried different locks but it never worked out. I was able to use Eufy R10 for my front door, and have had it for over a year. It works great, highly recommend for metal doors.
How is the battery being drain have to do with anything with WiFi? I went through a pack of 24 battery's within a couple of months. This door lock isn't the best for the price. I bought it when it was on sale for 80$, I'd rather go with something like the nest Yale door lock.
Try to improve your Wi-Fi signal
Poor signal from your Wi-Fi access point will make the Wi-Fi chip in the lock work harder to capture and maintain a connection. That could lead to reduced battery life. If possible, try to bring your Wi-Fi router closer to your front door.
I agree with you.
I don't recommend august.
I am an august user for several years.
and current user.
Last edited by choctawfootball December 15, 2023 at 06:55 PM.
Not sure the issues other ppl had but I'm using for 1.5 years and it's the best lock i have used. Replaced keypad batteries once and the lock batteries 2 times so 6-8 months. Only issue is the unlocking when multiple devices unlock at different times but set the auto lock and fixed the issue
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Not sure what else people want from a relatively easy retrofit option that only requires opening up one side vs replacing the lock completely for others. I have used Level (reliability is shit but most covert) but August was the easiest and most reliable. Only complaint is one of my family members custom steel door didn't have enough clearance, but neither did any other current retrofit option. They offer a keypad but it's screwed/adhesive stick on separately and defeats the purpose of not advertising to walkerbys that it's a digital lock capable of being remotely hacked (I understand it's rare but it's important to people who live in high foot traffic areas imo)
Yes it is easy retrofit. But it does have flaws. For high use areas like AirBNBs I think spend a bit more and get something rock solid. I dunno what that is but people here saying Yale.
Honestly I have not had a lot of problems but not sure I would buy again. For a standard home I think the cheap reusable code one is better.
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Top Comments
1. The actual lock communicates with the bridge via BLE (Bluetooth) and its the bridge which conncts to your router via WiFi. Since the bridge is plugged-in, there is no issue about the bridge "draining power".
2. The advantage of the lock with BLE is that once your iPhone is in close proximity to the lock, it connects via Bluetooth - so, if you ever lose your WiFi or electricity, you can always unlock/lock with your iphone.
3. It is critical to make sure that your deadbolt locks smoothly (ie the door is very well aligned). This is where the battery drain issues occur. If the motor has to work hard to move the deadbolt or it is stuck against the strike plate, you WILLdrain battery fast. Make sure that your door is perfectly aligned all the time, closes completely, and the lock can move in-out freely and that you regularly lubricate the mechanics of the deadbolt (Do NOT use WD-40, but a gel type log acting lubricant).
4. The lock works with Alexa and can be locked or even unlocked by Alexa (need a code for unlock). No connection to RING.
5. The lock does have geofencing for those interested. It unocks as you come near.
6. The lock can be set to automatically lock after X minutes, so that you can unlock, close the door and walk away.
7. You can share access to the lock via app
8. Yes, you can use your apple watch to lock/unlock
9. A t this price it is a great deal (if your door closes perfectly all the time)
I have this for the past 3+ years and no issues. The big round knob is bit strange and looks funny.
- The app can be set to away mode, which means when you leave your area (1 mile from your home) and come to the front door, the bluetooth will detect you're there and auto unlock the door. It doesn't sound like much, but honestly it's something I am so used to at this point that I cannot see myself going back.
- The connect is to allow you to access to the lock outside the home, this isn't needed if you have an Apple TV as you can just connect it to Apple Home.
- August has it's own app, it doesnt connect directly with other apps like Ring for example, but nothing is stopping you from unlocking remotely.
- You can add guests will time limits to the lock, but away mode only works for owners
OP you may wanna clarify this is 3rd Gen, which requires connect to remote lock and unlock (Unless you have apple home setup with an Apple TV)
84 Comments
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The app gets wickedly slow, waiting five mins to delete a previous guest I have lists hundreds long with their slow software.
Guests yank them out if calibration easily.
My locks are all dying/breaking/malfunctioning. I manage multiple properties and we have 16 of these all slowly failing. After calling the company they are not helpful.
Salty? Yup. I convinced all of my property owning clients to get these. Now I look dumb. I personally have been dealing with these.
We are transitioning to yale and thus far they are better fit airbnb and regular home users.
Good luck, just my opinion. YMMV literally.
The only way your battery only lasts 2 months is if your WiFi sucks and the smart lock is constantly trying to connect to WiFi.
I've been using august for years and the door I use everyday/heavy usage lasts 9-12 months.
Although.
I don't recommend August.
App used to be really bad.
Now it's just mediocre.
I don't even try to use widgets anymore.
I would go with something that is rock solid compatible with Apple/iPhone if you have an iPhone.
And queue the arguments about august and other smart locks not secure.
It's this thing called windows and if I want to break into your house I can just bust out a window.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
The only way your battery only lasts 2 months is if your WiFi sucks and the smart lock is constantly trying to connect to WiFi.
I've been using august for years and the door I use everyday/heavy usage lasts 9-12 months.
Although.
I don't recommend August.
App used to be really bad.
Now it's just mediocre.
I don't even try to use widgets anymore.
I would go with something that is rock solid compatible with Apple/iPhone if you have an iPhone.
And queue the arguments about august and other smart locks not secure.
It's this thing called windows and if I want to break into your house I can just bust out a window.
At least recommend a comparable device smh
At least recommend a comparable device smh
The only way your battery only lasts 2 months is if your WiFi sucks and the smart lock is constantly trying to connect to WiFi.
I've been using august for years and the door I use everyday/heavy usage lasts 9-12 months.
Although.
I don't recommend August.
App used to be really bad.
Now it's just mediocre.
I don't even try to use widgets anymore.
I would go with something that is rock solid compatible with Apple/iPhone if you have an iPhone.
And queue the arguments about august and other smart locks not secure.
It's this thing called windows and if I want to break into your house I can just bust out a window.
Try to improve your Wi-Fi signal
Poor signal from your Wi-Fi access point will make the Wi-Fi chip in the lock work harder to capture and maintain a connection. That could lead to reduced battery life. If possible, try to bring your Wi-Fi router closer to your front door.
I agree with you.
I don't recommend august.
I am an august user for several years.
and current user.
Not sure the issues other ppl had but I'm using for 1.5 years and it's the best lock i have used. Replaced keypad batteries once and the lock batteries 2 times so 6-8 months. Only issue is the unlocking when multiple devices unlock at different times but set the auto lock and fixed the issue
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Honestly I have not had a lot of problems but not sure I would buy again. For a standard home I think the cheap reusable code one is better.
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