Yale Assure Lock, Keyed Gen 1 w/WiFi Module (Yale Access, Connected by August) Review

Yale Assure Lock, Keyed Gen 1 w/WiFi Module (Yale Access, Connected by August) Review

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Takeaway: Quick and straightforward installation. Simple setup and app controls. Work well remotely to monitor and control access and review events.

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You'll receive the deadbolt housing, touch panel keypad with optional keyed tumbler and two keys (if you have the keyed version), deadbolt latch, dead bolt strike plate, a bag of mounting hardware, and a set of 4 AA batteries. The Connected by August/Yale Access WiFi kit was bundled with my lock but boxed separately, since it is also available as an upgrade kit if you already have a compatible Yale Assure Lock Gen 1. In this kit you'll receive the plug-in wireless receiver, the door module, and optional Door Sense sensor.

Installing the lock and setting it up took me about 20 minutes to complete, when replacing an existing dead bolt and flushing mounting the Door Sense Sensor inside the doorframe, for a clean hidden look. Once the smart lock is installed, you can setup and use the August Home or Yale Access app to create entry codes for household members (the apps are identical). Then to unlock the deadbolt from the outside, touch anywhere on the screen to wake it up, enter your passocde, and tap the check mark in the lower right hand corner. One-touch locking, lets you lock the deadbolt by simply touching anywhere on the touch panel, though be careful as this can be triggered by an accidental touch when the door is open too.

In the app you can lock or unlock the door by tapping the circle in the middle of the screen in the app. There's also a handy auto-lock feature that will re-lock the door after a specific amount of time has passed since the door was opened. As well you can have the lock automatically unlock as you approach the door after being away from home, which is convenient if your hands are full or in cold weather, so you don't have to remove your gloves to work the touchpad. This feature does require you to have a smartphone though, with Bluetooth turned on, and the August or Yale app installed. With the Door Sense sensor, the app will also tell you if the door is currently open or closed. The other benefit to this is that the door won't auto-lock if the door is open or left ajar, a problem which we’ve had with previous keyless entry dead bolts that led to jams and the door closing on the extended deadbolt. You can set up push alerts to your phone for specific events like if the door is left ajar for longer than a specific amount of time (1 to 30 minutes) or when certain individuals use their PIN or app to unlock the door.

One cool feature of this lock is the ability to use Alexa voice commands to lock and unlock the door. When unlocking the door though, you must select a mandatory voice code that you need to say out loud to execute the command. The lock also works with a number of other connected third-party integration like HomeKit, Google Home, Nest, Airbnb, IFTTT, and more. I found adding additional users with their own access codes to the door straightforward and simple, and the lock updates within seconds allowing nearly instant access control on-the-fly even if you're remote. You can restrict the users access from 'always' to only certain time slots on specific days of the week for recurring appointments (one time slot across all days), or set a temporary passcode that expires at a specific date and time. The app even keeps a history of the door's activity so you know who's accessing the door when unlocked it with a code or the app.

The reason we got the keyed version is because we like to have a backup in case the unit runs out of battery, gets disconnected from the internet, or stops working for any other reason. The other thing we added to the door was the Navis Pivot push/pull lever, also by Yale. This allows us to easily push the door open once it auto-unlocks, so we don't have to set things down if our hands are full. It also eliminates the key for the door handle, so we don't get inadvertently locked out. Overall, we’re pretty happy with our Yale Assure Lock as it’s made securing our home, getting in the house, and giving others access simple. It was easy to install and set up and lets us manage the lock even when we’re away from home, as long as the WiFi bridge stays plugged in and has power. The batteries last 2-4 months depending on how often the door is used, and the app will let you know when it’s time to change the battery after it falls below 20%. Just be careful about using rechargeable Li-ion or NiMH batteries with the door as then don't typically drop in voltage before going flat, possibly causing the lock to lose power without warning, and since most NiMH batteries only deliver 1.2V of power versus 1.5V as alkaline would, the app may inaccurately report a low battery condition where none exists.

Buy it at Amazon: Yale Assure Lock, Keyed Gen 1 w/WiFi Module (Yale Access, Connected by August) [Affiliate Link]

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