30-Second Verdict
| My rating | 8.7/10 |
| Amazon UK rating | 4.3/5 (4,000+ reviews) |
| Price | ~£200 |
| No drilling? | ✅ Yes — retrofit design |
| Landlord friendly? | ✅ Yes — outside looks same |
| Original key works? | ✅ Yes — landlord can still use their key |
| Best for | Renters who want invisible smart lock, landlord never knows |
| Not for | People who want fingerprint or built-in WiFi (needs bridge) |
Are August smart locks good? Yes. I tested the 3rd Gen in my London flat for 6 months. This August Smart Lock Review UK tells you why it’s the most landlord-friendly smart lock on the market.
Why I Wrote This August Smart Lock Review UK
I live in a rented flat in London. Lost my keys three times in one month. Locksmith charged me £120. My landlord was annoyed.
I wanted a smart lock. But my landlord said no drilling. No permanent changes. And he wanted to keep his master key for emergencies.
Most smart locks failed these tests. They needed drilling. Or they replaced the entire lock. Or the landlord lost access.
Then I found the August Smart Lock. It’s a retrofit smart lock — it fits over your existing deadbolt on the inside. From outside, your door looks exactly the same. Your landlord’s key still works.
This August Smart Lock Review UK is for renters who want keyless entry without losing their deposit.
What Is the August Smart Lock?
The August Smart Lock is a retrofit smart lock — it replaces only the interior thumb turn of your existing deadbolt. The outside of your door stays exactly the same.
Key features:
- Retrofit design — fits over existing deadbolt, no drilling
- Auto-lock and auto-unlock — door locks when closed, unlocks as you approach
- DoorSense — knows if door is open or closed
- August app — lock/unlock from anywhere (with bridge)
- Guest access — time-limited digital keys
- Works with Airbnb — auto-generates check-in/out codes
- Original key still works — landlord keeps access
Is August lock made by Yale? No. August is owned by Assa Abloy (the same company that owns Yale). But August and Yale are separate brands.
Who Is This Lock For?
| If you are… | Is this lock for you? |
|---|---|
| UK renter in a flat | ✅ Yes — no drilling, removable |
| Landlord | ✅ Yes — you keep your master key |
| Airbnb host | ✅ Yes — auto-check-in codes |
| Tech lover who wants fingerprint | ❌ No — get ULTRALOQ |
| Person who wants built-in WiFi | ⚠️ Yes, but need August Connect bridge (sold separately) |
| Person who hates changing batteries | ⚠️ Batteries last 3-6 months |
This August Smart Lock Review UK is for renters who want a smart lock their landlord will never notice.
What’s in the Box?
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| August Smart Lock (3rd Gen) | Silver, fits over existing deadbolt |
| August Connect (Wi-Fi bridge) | Optional — some bundles include it |
| DoorSense sensor | Tells you if door is open or closed |
| AA batteries | 4 included |
| Mounting plate | Adhesive or screw option |
| Screws and fittings | For installation |
Note: Check your bundle. The £200 version may not include the Connect bridge. You need it for remote access.
Installation — Can a UK Renter Do It?
Yes. No drilling. 10 minutes.
Here’s how:
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Remove existing thumb turn (inside of door) — keep it safe |
| 2 | Attach mounting plate (adhesive or screws — no drilling needed) |
| 3 | Fit August lock onto the mounting plate |
| 4 | Install DoorSense sensor on door frame |
| 5 | Download August app, create account, connect lock |
| 6 | Set up auto-unlock and guest access |
For UK renters reading this August Smart Lock Review UK: When you move out, remove the August lock (2 minutes), put the old thumb turn back. Your deposit is safe. Your landlord will never know.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Installation — Extra Step
If you have the August Connect bridge (Wi-Fi bridge):
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Plug the bridge into a wall outlet near your router |
| 2 | Open August app, go to settings |
| 3 | Connect bridge to your Wi-Fi |
| 4 | Link bridge to your August lock |
Without the bridge, the August lock works only via Bluetooth (range ~10-15 feet). With the bridge, you can control it from anywhere.
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DoorSense — Why This Matters
The August lock comes with a DoorSense sensor — a small magnet you attach to your door frame.
What it does:
- Tells you if the door is open or closed
- Prevents auto-lock if the door is open
- Alerts you if you leave the door open
This is surprisingly useful. I cannot tell you how many times I walked away thinking the door was closed, only to get an alert on my phone. Walked back, closed it properly.
DoorSense is one reason this August Smart Lock Review UK rates it so highly for renters — you never accidentally leave your flat unlocked.
Auto-Unlock — Magic or Annoying?
The August lock has auto-unlock based on your phone’s location. When you arrive home, the lock automatically unlocks as you approach.
Does it work? Yes, 9 out of 10 times.
When it fails:
- Phone Bluetooth is off
- August app killed in background
- You walked past your flat without going in (it unlocks anyway)
Verdict: It’s convenient. But I still use the app to manually unlock sometimes. Not a dealbreaker.
Security — Can a Smart Lock Be Hacked?
Can a smart lock be hacked? Very unlikely. August uses bank-level encryption (128-bit AES) and two-factor authentication.
| Threat | How August Handles It |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi hacking | Encrypted connection, two-factor auth |
| Bluetooth hacking | Very difficult, requires proximity |
| Physical break-in | No different from traditional deadbolt |
| Lost phone | App requires login, or you can disable from any device |
What locks do police recommend? For main front doors, police recommend BS3621 standard locks. August is not BS3621 certified — but it works WITH your existing BS3621 deadbolt. The physical deadbolt is still there. August just replaces the thumb turn.
What Are the Disadvantages of Smart Locks?
What are the disadvantages of smart locks? Here’s the honest list for August:
| Disadvantage | How August Handles It |
|---|---|
| Batteries die | App sends low battery alerts. Lock has physical key backup. |
| Wi-Fi outage | Bluetooth still works (within range). Or use physical key. |
| Auto-unlock fails | Happens sometimes. Use app or key. |
| No fingerprint | ✅ Correct — August has no fingerprint sensor |
| Requires bridge for remote | ⚠️ Yes, August Connect sold separately (extra £30-50) |
| Installation confusion | DoorSense placement can be tricky. Watch YouTube video. |
What happens if the battery dies in a smart lock? The August lock has a 9V battery backup port. Touch a 9V battery to the contacts, lock wakes up. Or use physical key.
What Happens to Smart Locks When Power Goes Out?
What happens to smart locks when power goes out? August lock runs on AA batteries, not house power. When the power goes out, your August lock still works. The Wi-Fi bridge needs power, so remote access stops. But Bluetooth and physical key still work.
This is fine for most UK renters — power outages are rare and short.
How Long Do August Locks Last?
How long do August locks last? The hardware is solid. I’ve used mine for 6 months with no issues. Amazon reviews confirm years of use.
| Component | Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Lock hardware | 5-10 years |
| Batteries | 3-6 months (depending on usage) |
| DoorSense sensor | 5-10 years |
| August Connect bridge | 5-10 years |
What is the lifespan of a smart lock? Smart locks typically last 5-10 years. August is no exception.
How Long Do Batteries Last in August Lock?
How long do batteries last in August lock? 3-6 months, depending on usage.
| Usage | Battery Life |
|---|---|
| 5 unlocks/day | ~6 months |
| 10 unlocks/day | ~3-4 months |
| Auto-unlock on | Shortens battery life |
The app sends low battery alerts. Replace with fresh AA batteries. Don’t use rechargeables — they have lower voltage and cause issues.
Pros and Cons — Honest List
What I Liked (Pros)
- No drilling — Installs in 10 minutes. Removable. Deposit safe.
- Landlord never knows — Outside door looks exactly the same. Original key still works.
- DoorSense — Knows if door is open or closed. Prevents accidental unlocked door.
- Auto-unlock — Walk up to your door, it unlocks automatically.
- Airbnb integration — Auto-generates check-in/out codes.
- Guest access — Time-limited digital keys for cleaners, friends, family.
- Yale parent company — Assa Abloy owns both August and Yale. Trusted.
- Physical key backup — If batteries die, use your old key.
- Works with existing deadbolt — You don’t replace your BS3621 lock.
What I Did Not Like (Cons)
- No fingerprint sensor — If you want fingerprint, get ULTRALOQ.
- Remote access needs bridge — August Connect sold separately (£30-50).
- Battery life 3-6 months — Shorter than some competitors (LOCKSTAR 8-10 months).
- Auto-unlock can fail — Not 100% reliable. Sometimes I manually use the app.
- DoorSense placement tricky — Takes a few tries to get right.
- Expensive — £200 vs LOCKSTAR £174.
- App can be slow — Sometimes takes 5-10 seconds to connect.
August vs Yale vs LOCKSTAR vs ULTRALOQ — Comparison Table
| Feature | August Smart Lock | Yale Linus L2 | LOCKSTAR | ULTRALOQ U-Bolt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £200 | £199 | £174 | £148 |
| No drilling | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Landlord friendly | ✅ Invisible | ✅ Invisible | ⚠️ Visible keypad | ⚠️ Visible keypad |
| Fingerprint | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | ❌ (needs bridge) | ✅ Yes | ❌ (needs bridge) | ✅ Yes |
| Auto-unlock | ✅ Yes (geofencing) | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Manual | ✅ Yes |
| Door sensor | ✅ Yes (DoorSense) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Battery life | 3-6 months | 6 months | 8-10 months | 10 months |
| Best for | Landlord never knows | Renters | Budget fingerprint | Fingerprint + WiFi |
For most UK renters, the August Smart Lock is best if your landlord is strict and you want them to never know. For budget, get LOCKSTAR. For fingerprint, get ULTRALOQ.
UK Renters — Should You Buy This Lock?
This August Smart Lock Review UK is for renters who want a smart lock their landlord will never notice.
| If you want to secure… | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Front door (strict landlord) | ✅ Yes — invisible from outside |
| Front door (lenient landlord) | ✅ Yes — or get Yale Linus |
| Internal doors | ❌ No — get Yale push button lock |
| Airbnb property | ✅ Yes — auto-check-in codes |
Landlord friendly? Yes. No drilling. No permanent changes. Outside looks same. Original key still works.
Will your landlord know? No. Unless they open the door and look at the inside thumb turn (unlikely).
Deposit safe? Yes. 2 minute removal. Original thumb turn goes back.
Frequently Asked Questions — UK Renters
Are August smart locks good?
Are August smart locks good? Yes. 4.3 stars on Amazon UK with over 4,000 reviews. PCMag calls it the “best retrofit smart lock” for renters.
What is the most reliable smart lock?
What is the most reliable smart lock? For retrofit, August is very reliable. For fingerprint, ULTRALOQ. For smart home integration, Nuki.
Is August lock made by Yale?
Is August lock made by Yale? No. But both August and Yale are owned by Assa Abloy (the world’s largest lock company). They share technology but are separate brands.
Who owns August Smart Lock?
Who owns August Smart Lock? Assa Abloy (Swedish lock giant) bought August in 2017.
How long do August locks last?
How long do August locks last? Hardware 5-10 years. Batteries 3-6 months. App updates continue.
What locks do police recommend?
What locks do police recommend? For physical security, BS3621 standard locks (Yale, Ultion). August works WITH your existing BS3621 deadbolt — it doesn’t replace it.
Can a smart lock be hacked?
Can a smart lock be hacked? Very unlikely. August uses bank-level encryption and two-factor authentication.
What happens if the battery dies in a smart lock?
What happens if the battery dies in a smart lock? August has a 9V battery backup port. Touch a 9V battery to the contacts, lock wakes up. Or use physical key.
What happens to smart locks when power goes out?
What happens to smart locks when power goes out? August runs on AA batteries. It still works. Remote access (via Wi-Fi bridge) stops until power returns.
What are the disadvantages of smart locks?
What are the disadvantages of smart locks? Battery changes, higher upfront cost, potential tech issues, and Wi-Fi dependency for remote features. August specifically lacks fingerprint and requires separate bridge for remote access.
Final Verdict — Worth Buying or Not?
After 6 months of using this lock on my London flat’s front door, here is my honest August Smart Lock Review UK bottom line.
Score: 8.7 out of 10
Why 8.7 and not higher?
- No fingerprint (-0.5)
- Requires bridge for remote access (-0.5)
- Battery life 3-6 months (-0.3)
Why 8.7 is still great?
- Most landlord-friendly smart lock
- Invisible from outside — landlord never knows
- Original key still works
- DoorSensor prevents accidental unlocked door
- Auto-unlock is convenient
- Works with your existing BS3621 deadbolt
Would I buy it again? Yes, for a rented flat with a strict landlord.
Would I recommend it to another UK renter? Yes, especially if your landlord said “no drilling” and you want to keep your deposit safe.
Where to Buy in the UK
Amazon UK is the best place to buy:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Price | ~£200 |
| Rating | 4.3/5 (4,000+ reviews) |
| Bundle includes | August Smart Lock (3rd Gen) + mounting kit + batteries + DoorSense |
| Note | August Connect bridge sold separately for remote access |
Disclaimer: I paid for this lock with my own money. No free product. No sponsored content. This August Smart Lock Review UK is just honest experience from one UK renter to another.
Last updated: June 2026. Prices subject to change. Check Amazon UK for current pricing.
