August Smart Lock 1st Gen with Connect: Retrofit Deadbolt Review

The August Smart Lock 1st Gen with Connect is where the smart lock category started. August shipped this original model in 2013 as the first mainstream deadbolt retrofit, and it defined the approach that the whole product line still follows: mount on the interior thumb turn, keep your existing keys, add smart access on top. This review covers the first generation lock sold as a bundle with the August Connect Wi-Fi bridge, the two-piece setup that gives the lock remote access over Wi-Fi.

It's a discontinued product now. August's current lineup has moved to built-in Wi-Fi. But the 1st Gen with Connect still shows up on secondary markets, and plenty of units are still in daily use. If you're deciding whether to keep one, buy one used, or upgrade, here's what you need to know.

How the 1st Gen and Connect Work Together

The 1st Gen lock itself uses Bluetooth only. On its own, you can lock and unlock it when your phone is within about 30 feet. That's useful at the front door, not much else.

The August Connect bridge changes that. It's a small plug-in device that goes near the door, connects to your Wi-Fi, and acts as a relay between the lock and August's cloud. With Connect online, you get full remote access - lock and unlock from anywhere, get push alerts when the door opens, and check status without being home. The bridge is what makes this a full smart lock rather than a Bluetooth gadget.

The bundle pairs both devices together. Setup takes 10-15 minutes. You install the lock first using one of the included thumb turn adapters, then plug in Connect and link it to your Wi-Fi through the August app.

What the App Lets You Do

Once everything is set up, the August app handles all the core features you'd expect:

• Lock and unlock from anywhere with the Connect bridge online
• View a timestamped activity log of every lock event
• Create guest access keys with expiration dates and time restrictions
• Set auto-lock to engage after 30 seconds to 30 minutes
• Get push alerts when someone locks or unlocks the door

Auto-Unlock uses geofencing and Bluetooth together. The app detects when you're close to home, then confirms your phone is near the lock via Bluetooth before unlocking. This two-step approach prevents false unlocks when you drive past your house.

Guest keys are time-limited and expire on their own. You set a window - specific days, specific hours - and the key stops working after that. You don't have to remember to revoke access manually.

Voice Control Options

With the Connect bridge active, you get three voice assistant options. Amazon Alexa handles locking, unlocking with a PIN, and status checks. Google Assistant works similarly. Apple HomeKit is available too, putting the lock in the Home app with full Siri support and HomeKit automations. If your iPhone leaves the house, you can set an automation to lock the door behind you.

Voice unlocking via Alexa requires a four-digit PIN by default. That's not August being annoying - it's a deliberate safety measure so a guest or delivery person can't just say "Alexa, unlock the door."

Build and Installation

The 1st Gen is physically larger than later August models. It's a round unit that clamps over the deadbolt thumb turn using a set of included adapters. Most standard American deadbolts are compatible. The lock uses 4 AA batteries rated for about 3 months of typical use - notably shorter than later generations. August added a low-battery alert to the app, so you get a warning before it dies.

The install is non-invasive. No drilling, no door modifications, no exterior changes. The whole thing comes off in minutes if you need to move or reinstall it. That makes it practical for renters who want smart features without leaving hardware behind.

Where This Lock Falls Short

The two-device setup is the main limitation. The Connect bridge needs a power outlet near the door and a stable Wi-Fi connection. If the bridge loses power or Wi-Fi drops, remote access stops until it reconnects. Later August models and competitors like the Schlage Encode Plus have Wi-Fi built into the lock itself, removing this dependency entirely.

Battery life at 3 months is shorter than the August Pro or most current-generation smart locks. If you're using the lock heavily - many guest access events, auto-unlock triggers - you'll hit that limit faster. Lithium AA batteries extend life in cold weather.

The 1st Gen also doesn't have DoorSense, the door-position sensor that August added in later models. You can tell if the deadbolt is thrown, but not whether the door is actually closed. Auto-lock will engage on schedule regardless of door position.

August 1st Gen vs. Upgrade Options

August's own 4th Gen Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the direct upgrade path. It has built-in Wi-Fi (no bridge needed), a smaller and lighter form factor, DoorSense, and better battery life. If you're buying new, start there.

The 1st Gen with Connect still makes sense if you already own one and it's working reliably, or if you find a used bundle at a significant discount and don't need DoorSense. The core features - remote access, guest keys, voice control, auto-lock - all work correctly. The app still supports it as of early 2026.

Final Thoughts

The August Smart Lock 1st Gen with Connect bundle was a good product when it launched and it still functions as advertised. Remote access works, the app is clean, voice assistant coverage is solid, and the retrofit approach means your keys and exterior hardware stay put. Those are the things that made it popular, and none of them have degraded.

What's aged is the two-piece setup and the battery life. If Connect loses power, you lose remote access. Three-month battery cycles are more frequent than you'd want. And the missing DoorSense means auto-lock isn't as reliable as it is on newer August hardware.

For anyone evaluating a used unit: if the Connect bridge is included and the lock is in good shape, the bundle holds up for everyday use. If you're buying new, the 4th Gen eliminates the bridge entirely and adds features the 1st Gen never had. August's upgrade path is straightforward, and the new model fits in most of the same door configurations.