Does the August smart lock work with Apple Home Key?

No. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock 4th Gen supports HomeKit, Alexa and Google Home, but not Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock.

Can renters install the Schlage Encode Plus?

Technically yes, but it means swapping exterior hardware, which many leases prohibit. August is the safer renter choice.

Which lock is more secure?

Both rely on a standard deadbolt for physical security. Schlage edges ahead digitally with Matter and Home Key, while August inherits the quality of your existing deadbolt.

Schlage vs August: Which Smart Lock Should You Buy in 2026?

Schlage vs August is not a spec fight, it is a question about your door. The Schlage Encode Plus replaces the whole deadbolt and gives you Apple Home Key, Matter and built-in Wi-Fi with no bridge. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock 4th Gen mounts entirely on the inside, leaves your exterior hardware and existing keys untouched, and installs in fifteen minutes. If you rent, the decision is already made. If you own, here is what you gain and give up either way.

Schlage vs August at a glance

	Schlage Encode Plus	August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
Type	Full deadbolt replacement	Retrofit over existing deadbolt
Price	$249.99	$229.99
Exterior appearance	New Schlage hardware	Completely unchanged
Existing keys	Replaced	Still work
Apple Home Key	Yes	No
Matter	Yes	No
Wi-Fi	Built in, no bridge	Built in, no bridge
Keypad	Built into the lock	Sold separately
Install time	30 to 45 minutes, replaces deadbolt	Around 15 minutes, interior only
Rating	4.7	4.2
Best for	Owners wanting Home Key and Matter	Renters and anyone keeping their keys

Schlage Encode Plus: pros and cons

Apple Home Key lets you unlock with an iPhone or Apple Watch tap
Matter certified for Apple Home, Google Home and Alexa at once
Built-in Wi-Fi with no bridge or hub
Integrated keypad for guests and codes
Higher user rating and more solid hardware feel

Requires replacing the whole deadbolt
Your existing keys stop working
Landlord or HOA approval may be needed
No local control despite Matter support

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: pros

Installs on the interior only, exterior hardware untouched
Your existing keys keep working, useful for shared households
Fastest install in the category at around 15 minutes
Auto-unlock on approach works reliably
The default answer for renters

Both sit within our wider smart door locks directory, and if entry method matters more than form factor, see the best keypad door lock and the best fingerprint door lock.

Verdict

If you rent, or share the door with people who already carry keys, buy the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock 4th Gen. It is the only one of the two that does not change your door, and reversing it takes a screwdriver and five minutes. If you own the home and want the fullest smart lock experience, buy the Schlage Encode Plus. Apple Home Key alone is worth the difference if you carry an iPhone or Apple Watch, since tapping your wrist to the lock is meaningfully better than opening an app, and Matter support means the lock is not tied to one ecosystem long-term. At a 20 dollar price gap, the decision genuinely is about your door rather than your budget.