August Smart Lock 2nd Gen + Connect Bundle: Retrofit Wi-Fi Deadbolt
Product Details
The August Smart Lock 2nd Gen with Connect bundle is a retrofit smart lock that fits onto your existing interior deadbolt thumb turn. No door drilling, no exterior hardware swap. Your current keys still work. The Connect bridge plugs into a wall outlet near your door and links the lock to your Wi-Fi, giving you remote access from anywhere through the August app.
This review covers the AUG-SL02-K01-G0X bundle specifically. The 2nd Gen brought a redesigned battery door cover that snaps on more firmly than the 1st Gen version, which had a reputation for loosening. That's a small fix, but a useful one.
What's in the Bundle
The box includes the smart lock unit itself, the August Connect Wi-Fi bridge, and several adapter clips. Those clips matter. They let the lock fit a range of interior thumb turn shapes. Most US single-cylinder deadbolts work without any extra hardware.
The Connect bridge is a small dongle. It plugs into a standard wall outlet and connects to your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Once paired, it relays commands between the August app and the lock. Without it, you're Bluetooth-only, which means roughly 30 feet of range. With it, you can unlock your door from across the country.
Setup and Getting Started
Setup takes about 15 minutes. The August app walks you through each step with photos. You clip the adapter onto your existing thumb turn, mount the lock, and tighten two screws. No drilling. The lock then pairs over Bluetooth during setup.
After the lock is mounted, you add the Connect bridge. It pairs via Bluetooth too, then links to your Wi-Fi. The app confirms once remote access is live. You'll want your phone nearby for the whole process.
Configuration Tips
Auto-Lock is one of the most useful settings. You can set it to engage the deadbolt after 30 seconds to 30 minutes of inactivity. Auto-Unlock uses your phone's location. It detects when you arrive home and unlocks the door as you approach. The two-step design, geofence first then Bluetooth confirm, keeps it from firing when you just drive past.
Guest access works through virtual keys in the app. You set start and end times. The key expires on its own. You can see who used it and when in the activity log.
Voice Control and Smart Home Works
With the Connect bridge active, Alexa and Google Home both work for basic commands. You can ask Alexa to lock the door or check whether it's locked. Google Home works the same way. Neither assistant can unlock by voice without a PIN by default, which is a sensible security choice.
This 2nd Gen model does not support Apple HomeKit. If your household runs on iPhone and Apple Home, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Pro or a 3rd Gen model is a better fit. For Alexa and Google Home users, the 2nd Gen bundle works cleanly.
SmartThings users can connect via the August skill. This opens up lock-based automations alongside lights, sensors, and other SmartThings devices.
Key Features at a Glance
- Retrofit design: installs on interior side, no door modification needed
- Bluetooth + Wi-Fi: Bluetooth for local use, Wi-Fi via Connect bridge for remote access
- Voice control: works with Alexa and Google Home
- Auto-Lock and Auto-Unlock: configurable delay, geofence-based arrival detection
- Guest access: time-limited virtual keys with activity log
Battery and Build Quality
The lock runs on 4 AA batteries. August rates them at about 3 months under normal use. The 2nd Gen battery door cover is the most notable hardware change from 1st Gen. It fits more securely and doesn't wobble loose after a few months of use. That's worth knowing if you looked at earlier reviews and saw complaints about the cover.
Low battery alerts come through the app well before the lock stops working. You won't be locked out by a dead battery without warning.
August Smart Lock 2nd Gen vs Other Options
The main trade-off with any August lock is that you keep your existing deadbolt. That's an advantage for renters or anyone who doesn't want visible changes on the exterior. But it also means you're adding smart access to whatever deadbolt grade you already have.
Schlage Encode Plus and Yale Assure 2 replace the full deadbolt and include keypad entry. Those models suit homeowners who want a keypad or a higher-grade cylinder. The August 2nd Gen suits renters, temporary setups, and homes where exterior hardware can't change.
At $129 for the bundle, you're paying for the convenience of no exterior modifications and the established August app ecosystem. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Pro is the current flagship with built-in Wi-Fi and DoorSense, but the 2nd Gen Connect bundle costs less and covers the core use case well.
Final Thoughts
The August Smart Lock 2nd Gen with Connect bundle does what it promises. It adds remote access, voice control, and auto-lock to a door without touching any exterior hardware. Setup is straightforward. The August app is stable and the guest key system works reliably.
The 3-month battery life is the main ongoing cost. Some users find that short. The lack of HomeKit is a real limit for Apple households. And you're relying on your existing deadbolt's physical security rather than upgrading it.
For renters, Airbnb hosts, or homeowners who want smart lock features without changing exterior hardware, this bundle is a practical choice at its price point. It's not the most feature-rich smart lock available, but it handles daily use without drama.