What homeowners should know about August vs Yale Smart
Choosing between August and Yale Smart locks is one of the more consequential decisions a homeowner can make when upgrading door security, because both platforms approach the problem differently and carry distinct trade-offs in installation, compatibility, credential management, and long-term serviceability. Understanding those differences before purchasing — and knowing when a licensed locksmith should be part of the process — can save time, money, and avoidable security gaps.
What homeowners should know about August vs Yale Smart overview
August Smart Lock and Yale Smart Lock occupy the same general product category — keypad- or app-controlled residential deadbolts — but they descend from different design philosophies. August entered the market as a retrofit adapter, meaning its classic lineup mounts over an existing deadbolt thumb-turn and leaves the exterior keyway untouched. Yale, which acquired August in 2017 and operates under the ASSA ABLOY lock products umbrella, has historically produced full deadbolt replacements that include a new exterior cylinder and keypad.
The practical result is that an August retrofit unit preserves whatever key cylinder is already in the door. If that cylinder is a Schlage lock products B60N, a Kwikset locks 980, or a builder-grade brass lock, it stays in place. Yale’s full-replacement units ship with their own cylinder, which introduces a new key series into the home. For households already managing multiple keyed locks on one ring, that distinction matters immediately.
Both brands now market products under a shared technology stack — including the August app, Yale Access app, and compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home — but hardware lineups still diverge. Yale’s Assure Lock 2 series is a full deadbolt replacement. August’s Wi-Fi Smart Lock (fourth generation) remains a retrofit. Homeowners comparing August vs Yale Smart lock products should confirm which form factor they are actually buying before assuming behavioral parity.
Key factors
Installation complexity is one of the first factors worth evaluating in an August home versus Yale Smart lock comparison. An August retrofit can be installed in under fifteen minutes by most adults with a screwdriver, because it clamps onto the existing thumb-turn with an adapter plate. Yale’s full deadbolt replacement requires removing the existing lock entirely, threading a new tailpiece through the door bore, and potentially adjusting the strike plate if the door has shifted. Neither task is beyond a capable homeowner, but Yale’s installation has more failure points — including misalignment, improper backset selection, and stripped mounting screws in aged wood doors.
Connectivity options differ meaningfully across product tiers. Some August units require a separate Wi-Fi bridge (sold separately) to enable remote access, while newer fourth-generation units have Wi-Fi built in. Yale’s Assure Lock 2 series ships in Wi-Fi and Z-Wave variants, with Z-Wave models requiring a compatible hub such as SmartThings or Wink. Homeowners building or expanding a Z-Wave smart home ecosystem may prefer Yale; those who want a standalone app experience without a hub typically find August’s built-in Wi-Fi models simpler.
Keypad access codes are a meaningful security feature on both platforms. Yale’s Assure series supports up to 250 unique PIN codes, making it serviceable for short-term rental properties. August’s app-based access relies primarily on guest credentials delivered through the app, with physical PIN access available on keypad-equipped models. For property managers or Airbnb hosts, the August and Yale apps both support scheduled access windows, but the yield on keypad-only access without a smartphone is higher on Yale’s hardware.
Battery life is a practical concern that often surfaces after purchase. Both platforms run on AA batteries, but real-world drain depends on connection type. A Wi-Fi radio drawing power continuously will deplete batteries faster than a Bluetooth-only unit that wakes on demand. Yale’s documentation estimates roughly six months on Wi-Fi models; August’s fourth-generation Wi-Fi lock carries a similar estimate. Installing a smart lock in a high-traffic door — a rental unit, a home with multiple daily users — means budgeting for more frequent battery replacement or investing in a rechargeable battery pack accessory.
Costs and risks
Hardware pricing for comparing August and Yale Smart locks runs in roughly the same band. August’s Wi-Fi Smart Lock (fourth generation) retails around $149–$229 depending on finish and seller. Yale’s Assure Lock 2 series ranges from approximately $129 for a Bluetooth-only deadbolt to $249 for a Wi-Fi touch-screen model. Neither platform requires a paid subscription for basic app functionality, though Yale’s August-powered app does offer an optional August Access subscription that adds features such as activity history beyond thirty days.
Installation costs vary. A homeowner doing a clean retrofit installation of an August unit has minimal out-of-pocket cost beyond the hardware. A Yale full-replacement installation on a door with non-standard bore spacing, an unusually thick door, or a compromised strike plate may require a locksmith visit regardless of DIY confidence. Average locksmith installation for a smart deadbolt: Average: $85 · Range: $65–$120 · Travel: free in service area. Rekeying the Yale cylinder at time of installation — covered in detail below — adds to that figure.
Security risks in the smart lock category cluster around three areas: network credential exposure, physical attack on the cylinder, and improper installation. Network risk is not unique to either brand; any Wi-Fi-connected device can be targeted through the home router if router security is weak. Cylinder risk is where hardware quality diverges significantly. Yale’s Assure Lock 2 ships with a cylinder that is functionally adequate for residential use but is not bump-resistant or pick-resistant at the level of an ANSI Grade 1 cylinder upgrade. August’s retrofit approach means the cylinder risk profile is inherited entirely from whatever lock is already in the door — which could range from a high-security Medeco cylinder to a thin-wall builder-grade deadbolt installed in 1998.
Improper installation introduces risks that neither brand can engineer away. A Yale deadbolt installed with the latch not fully engaging the strike plate — because the homeowner did not adjust for door sag — can be forced open with lateral pressure regardless of whether the electronics function correctly. A smart lock is only as secure as the mechanical installation underlying it.
When to call a locksmith
The question of whether you can rekey a Yale Smart lock is one of the more common questions locksmiths field from homeowners who have just purchased the Assure Lock 2. The answer is yes, the Yale Assure Lock 2 uses a standard 6-pin cylinder that can be rekeyed by a qualified locksmith. This is a meaningful capability: it means a homeowner who moves into a house with an existing Yale Smart lock, or who replaces a contractor’s copy of the original key, does not need to purchase new hardware. The cylinder can be re-pinned to match a new key or to match an existing key in the home’s keying system.
Rekeying a Yale Smart lock to a master key system — useful for multi-unit rentals or properties with outbuildings — requires a locksmith with access to the appropriate key blank series and pin kit. This is not a task suited to a rekey kit sold at a hardware store, because those kits are typically keyed to a single brand’s key section and do not accommodate cross-keying scenarios. A licensed locksmith can also evaluate whether the Yale cylinder should be upgraded to a restricted or patented key section if key duplication control is a concern.
August’s retrofit design makes rekeying a different question. Since the lock uses whatever cylinder is in the door, rekeying an August installation means rekeying the existing deadbolt. A locksmith can service virtually any residential deadbolt cylinder in this context, and the smart lock hardware itself is unaffected. If the underlying cylinder is an older model that has been rekeyed multiple times, a locksmith may recommend replacement rather than additional rekeying, since pin chambers wear over time.
Other scenarios warranting a locksmith call include: installation on a door with non-standard prep (bore diameter, backset, or thickness outside the 1-3/8 to 2 inch range most smart locks accommodate), strike plate reinforcement on an exterior door that has shown signs of kick-in attempts, a lock that shows signs of forced entry after purchase of a used home, and any situation where the electronic credentials have been compromised — such as a former tenant who had app access to an August lock and was not properly removed from the system. Credential revocation through the app should always be verified, and a locksmith can provide a physical re-key as a secondary layer of assurance.
Recommended next steps
Homeowners who have already decided between these two platforms should take a systematic approach to deployment. Before purchasing, measure the door thickness, confirm the existing bore size (typically 2-1/8 inches for a standard deadbolt), and check whether the door frame has an existing reinforced strike plate or a standard single-screw plate. Yale full-replacement installations benefit from a 3-inch strike plate with security screws reaching the door stud, regardless of what the manufacturer ships in the box.
For homeowners inheriting either lock from a previous occupant or a builder installation, credential audit should be the first step. On August-powered platforms, this means reviewing the list of users in the app and removing any access that was granted to contractors, former cleaners, or prior residents. The August and Yale apps both provide activity logs that show recent lock and unlock events, which can help establish whether any unexpected access has occurred.
If the home uses a keyed-alike system — where a single key operates the front door, back door, garage entry, and storage shed — introducing a Yale Smart lock with a different key section disrupts that system unless the new cylinder is rekeyed to match. This is a strong argument for scheduling a locksmith visit at time of installation rather than after the fact. A locksmith can rekey the Yale cylinder on-site, match it to the home’s existing key, and verify that the deadbolt is mechanically aligned before leaving.
Homeowners who choose the August retrofit path and have an aging or low-grade cylinder should consider the retrofit installation as an opportunity to upgrade the underlying deadbolt. Installing an August unit on a quality ANSI Grade 1 deadbolt — such as a Schlage B60N or Kwikset 980 — gives the final installation meaningful resistance against both physical and electronic attack. The August hardware handles the smart access layer; the cylinder and bolt assembly handle the physical security layer. Neither component substitutes for the other.
For renters or homeowners in leased properties, confirming landlord permission before installing either platform is necessary. August’s retrofit design is often permitted where full-replacement deadbolts are not, because the original lock is not removed. Yale’s full replacement installation alters the door hardware permanently and requires restoration to the original configuration in most lease agreements. When in doubt, a call to a licensed locksmith — who works in tenant-occupied properties regularly — can clarify local norms and help avoid a lease dispute.
Call Low Rate Locksmith
Low Rate Locksmith provides 24/7 mobile locksmith service throughout the US and Canada, including smart lock installation, Yale Smart lock rekeying, August retrofit installation, strike plate upgrades, and credential security consultations. Whether the goal is a clean initial installation or resolving a security concern on an existing smart lock system, a licensed technician can be dispatched to the address. Call (833) 439-8636 any time to schedule service or ask a question about August vs Yale Smart lock compatibility with a specific door configuration.