Forget Everything Else: The Ultimate August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Guide for Renters.
If you rent and thought you couldn’t get a smart lock, think again. We tested the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen). It installs inside over your existing deadbolt without leaving a trace, giving you keyless Wi-Fi control while your original key still works. Best of all, you can take it with you when you move.
This image has been generated using AI for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual product image.
Getting to Know August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: What You Need to See First
Renters want upgrades that won’t start a lease argument. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is a retrofit that replaces the interior thumbturn while the exterior hardware stays untouched. From the hallway, your door looks the same and your physical key still works as usual.
That inside-only approach fits a broader smart home for renters strategy. You avoid drilling, keep the building’s look intact, and remove the lock in minutes when you move out. Day to day, it feels simple: built-in Wi-Fi for remote control, Auto-Unlock based on your phone’s presence, and DoorSense to confirm the door is actually closed.
Why this matters in apartments
Small hallways and shared lobbies create different habits. Auto-Lock settles “did I lock it?” moments in the elevator and reduces panic texts. DoorSense stops the half-latched scrape that wears out frames in older buildings.
What you actually install
You’re not replacing the entire deadbolt. You attach a small interior module to the tailpiece, calibrate, and keep the exterior keyhole intact. The result is a reversible upgrade that behaves like the original hardware until you open the app and see the extras.
Key Features that Matter in a Rental
Interior-only install that keeps your deadbolt
August attaches to a standard single-cylinder deadbolt on the inside of the door. The outside remains unchanged, so roommates and maintenance still use the same key. You get app control and logs without triggering lease concerns about the building’s facade.
Built-in Wi-Fi and broad ecosystem support
The fourth-gen model bakes Wi-Fi into the lock, so remote lock/unlock and status checks work without a separate bridge. It integrates with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit, which makes mixed-ecosystem apartments easier to manage. Details such as compatibility and feature list are covered in the official specs. august.com+1
Auto-Lock / Auto-Unlock plus DoorSense
Auto-Lock re-secures the door on a timer or when DoorSense confirms it is closed. Auto-Unlock uses your phone’s location and Bluetooth to open as you arrive, which is handy when your hands are full. DoorSense reduces “it looked locked, but the latch never caught” moments that lead to wear on frames and deadbolts.
Guest access and activity history
You can issue scheduled or recurring “keys” for cleaners, sitters, and visitors. Revoking access is instant and remote, which is far less stressful than chasing spare keys. The activity feed shows who came and went, making ad-hoc coordination easier in shared apartments.
Power, batteries, and upkeep
The lock uses two 3V CR123/CR123A lithium cells and alerts you when they run low. Swapping both at the same time takes a minute from the inside and needs no tools beyond a fingernail for the faceplate. Because everything happens indoors, there’s no weather-worn keypad unless you add the optional one later. August Home Support
Privacy-friendly by default
The unchanged exterior keeps the upgrade discreet in hallways that frown on visible gadgets. You can require a spoken PIN for voice unlock, limit guest access to short windows, and review logs as needed. If you prefer, Auto-Unlock can be disabled entirely for a manual-first routine.
Direct Comparison with Two Amazon-Relevant Alternatives
Yale Assure Lock 2 (Wi-Fi)
What it is. A full deadbolt replacement with a sleek outside keypad and a new interior module. It looks great and offers a consistent experience for owners who can change exterior hardware.
Why renters hesitate. Replacing the exterior hardware can conflict with lease or HOA rules and almost always requires a restore at move-out. It’s excellent for homeowners and remodels, but it’s homework for renters who must ask permission.
Where August wins for renters. August keeps your key and outside hardware, installs from the inside, and still delivers remote control and logs. It matches the “upgrade now, undo later” mindset with the least friction.
SwitchBot Lock Pro
What it is. An adhesive-mounted retrofit that motors the existing thumbturn and supports optional keypads and Matter. Setup is quick and removal is simple, which is great for short-term stays.
Where August wins for renters. August replaces the thumbturn directly for a sturdier, more “native” feel at the door. Built-in Wi-Fi avoids hubs near the entry, and the guest-access flow is polished. If you want fewer boxes and a cleaner look, August is simpler day to day.
Price & Accessibility (with sources)
The Wi-Fi model sits in the upper-mid tier among retrofit locks, above ultra-budget adhesive options and below many full replacements with large exterior keypads. The draw is the bundle: built-in Wi-Fi, compact interior hardware, and no exterior change to trigger lease anxiety. For third-party perspective on the smaller body and integrated Wi-Fi.
Availability is broad, and promotions are common around holidays. More important than sticker price is door compatibility. August targets standard single-cylinder deadbolts; older mortise hardware may not be supported without changes. The install flow clarifies adapters and DoorSense placement, which helps renters avoid guesswork later.
Budgeting beyond the lock
A separate keypad is optional if you want PIN entry for guests or kids. Core features do not require a subscription; you can rely on app control, logs, and alerts from day one. Batteries are inexpensive, and replacements take less than a minute once you know where the faceplate clip is.
This image has been generated using AI for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual product image.
Setup for Renters: A Friendly Walkthrough
Before you start
Take a photo of the interior side of the door before removing anything. If you ever move, that snapshot makes restoring the original hardware trivial. Check the strike alignment; if the bolt drags, fix that first so the motor doesn’t fight friction.
Mounting the lock
Remove the interior thumbturn and attach the mounting plate with the included screws. Slide the lock onto the tailpiece, clamp it to the plate, and run the in-app calibration. Place the small DoorSense magnet where the app recommends, then test lock/unlock a few times to ensure smooth travel. images.thdstatic.com
First-week tips
Keep Auto-Lock on a short timer while you learn the routine, then dial it in. If Auto-Unlock feels inconsistent, allow the app to access location “Always” and ensure Bluetooth stays on. Create two guest keys for roommates or cleaners, then revoke one after a week to learn the flow.
Compatibility & Ecosystem Notes
Voice assistants and mixed households
Apartments often mix platforms as roommates come and go. August’s integrations with Alexa, Google, and HomeKit let routines live where people already are. You can keep bedtime scenes on HomeKit while a roommate triggers an Alexa routine, and the lock participates in both without re-wiring habits.
Scenes, automations, and notifications
Layer routines for practical wins. Set Auto-Lock for baseline safety, then add a bedtime scene that checks and locks again. Use quiet hours to mute pings overnight so status alerts feel helpful, not noisy.
Troubleshooting and Battery Best Practices
Battery care for the long run
Replace both CR123 cells together when the app warns, and keep the interior module aligned so the motor isn’t fighting friction. Before long trips, start fresh to avoid surprises while away.
Auto-Unlock tuning
Geofencing and Bluetooth depend on phone settings. Allow “Always” location for the app, exclude it from battery optimization on Android, and keep Bluetooth on. If the entry is tight, extend Auto-Lock’s timer so you can bring in groceries before the relock.
Wi-Fi reliability
The lock prefers a steady 2.4 GHz signal with decent RSSI. If the router is far down the hall, place a mesh node near the entry to stabilize connectivity.
When to recalibrate
If the bolt feels gritty after weather changes, run the in-app calibration and nudge the strike plate. That quick pair often restores smooth travel and low battery draw.
This image has been generated using AI for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual product image.
Who Should Choose August vs. Other Approaches
Pick August if you want reversible convenience
You value keeping the exterior untouched and bringing the investment to your next apartment. You prefer app and voice control over visible keypads, and you like the mix of Auto-Lock, Auto-Unlock, and logs under one roof.
Consider a full replacement if you own the place
A keypad-centric replacement like Yale Assure Lock 2 fits owners who want a fresh exterior look and a built-in PIN pad. It’s a larger change, but it delivers a unified design and eliminates the “phone required” concern for some households.
Consider an adhesive retrofit if you need a weekend-friendly stopgap
An adhesive motor can be ideal for sublets or temporary units where even interior screw holes are discouraged. It’s the fastest to mount and remove, though the feel at the door is less integrated than a direct thumbturn replacement.
Privacy and Etiquette in Shared Buildings
Point your smart lock setup at your own door and keep voice unlock behind a spoken PIN if you enable it. Limit guest keys to real needs with short schedules, and prune them after use. The closer your door behaves to the building’s original hardware, the fewer hallway conversations you’ll have about it.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Interior-only retrofit keeps exterior hardware and physical keys unchanged.
Built-in Wi-Fi enables remote control without a separate bridge.
Auto-Lock/Auto-Unlock with DoorSense reduces everyday friction and anxiety.
Guest access and activity history simplify temporary permissions.
Alexa, Google, and HomeKit support fit mixed-ecosystem apartments.
Quick battery swaps from the inside; compact design blends into interiors.
Cons
Needs decent deadbolt alignment for the smoothest Auto-Unlock behavior.
Optional keypad is extra if you want PIN entry on the outside.
Not ideal for mortise or unusual vintage locks; check compatibility first.
Battery changes become one more small routine to remember.
Our Take for Renters
If your lease makes smart locks feel off-limits, August’s retrofit design is the exception. The exterior stays identical, your key still works, and you gain modern convenience you can undo in minutes. That is the renter formula: useful now, reversible later.
For apartments with changing roommates or voice platforms, built-in Wi-Fi and cross-ecosystem support keep the lock feeling invisible. Add the keypad only if you want PINs; otherwise, the app and voice cover daily life. As part of a broader smart home for renters plan, this lock anchors your entry without tripping lease rules or demanding a weekend project.
FAQ
Does it keep my existing deadbolt and keys?
Yes. The retrofit attaches to the inside of most single-cylinder deadbolts, leaving the exterior and the keyway unchanged.
Do I need a bridge for remote control?
No. The fourth-gen model includes Wi-Fi, so remote lock/unlock and status checks work without extra hardware.
What is DoorSense, and why use it?
It’s a small magnet that tells the app whether the door is open or closed, so Auto-Lock occurs only when the door is actually shut.
Is this truly renter-friendly?
Yes. It installs from the inside, the exterior remains the same, and removal at move-out is clean.
Which assistants are supported?
Alexa, Google, and Apple HomeKit, so you can add lock actions to the routines you already use.
