Customer Ratings & Reviews

The Yale Approach Smart Lock Kit is an extremely high-tech way of securing your entryway! Inside the kit includes the deadbolt locking mechanism itself and a smart-hub that connects to the Number/Fingerprint Keypad for door access from the outside if you do not have access via the Yale Access App. All parts are battery powered as well, so there are no cables connected to any parts in this kit. All parts of the kit, including the matte black deadbolt, keypad and smart-hub, are also very high quality and well made! This is something that is easy to recommend for anyone looking to share access to their apartment/condo without having to provide keys! The deadbolt mechanism was super easy to retrofit onto my door with no prior knowledge of how to install a lock on a door. Pairing with the Yale Access app, an extremely useful must-have if you are the “admin” (aka owner) of the lock (and has many useful settings to explore, like auto-locking, entry notifications, location sensing unlock, etc.), you will be guided through an extremely easy setup process. There is also a small component that is optional to be mounted on the side of the door frame next to the deadbolt lock during the setup process to help the lock indicate if the door is open or not, which I found works pretty well as a peace-of-mind feature for when I’m away! I personally did not need to screw my component into the door frame; the adhesive has worked perfectly! The keypad is also extremely easy to set up, pair and mount outside your door. It works very seamlessly to register a fingerprint or new number combination for the keypad via the Yale Access app, but as a comment on the app, it isn’t the most intuitive app I’ve used for smart home-related devices. It was a bit confusing trying to find the proper place to reset the number code on the keypad, and might require a bit of digging through the app to find the right settings. The app informs me sometimes too that it has issues detecting if my door is actually locked or not, so now I unfortunately don’t have full trust in it being synced at any given time if I’m not near my home and were to trigger a lock/unlock via the app. This is usually caused when I manually lock or unlock the door, and the lock for some reason cannot detect its open or closed state. Overall though, the app is simple to use once everything is set up and the app works so long as the batteries in the deadbolt are on! With my experiences in mind, I personally don’t feel comfortable leaving the house without a physical key with this product, and maybe it’s out of an abundance of caution just to be sure that I won’t be locked out upon the batteries dying unexpectedly (which also ultimately defeats the purpose of the lock for myself), but still, if using in a guest-centric scenario with only the keypad, this kit is a great way for others to be able to securely enter when I’m not present, a purpose it serves best!

About the Yale Approach Smart Lock Wi-Fi Retrofit Deadbolt with Keypad Access The Yale Approach smart lock is designed for users that have an existing deadbolt that they’d like to turn into a smart lock. It’s a less invasive design that allows you to keep what you have and add smart functionality. The target users for this product are residential renters. The Set-up There are two components of the installation. You have the physical hardware and then the app. Physical Hardware – I was nervous about the installation of the physical hardware as I have had to replace door hardware before, and it’s not always easy to get everything just right. My installation was to add this to a Kwikset deadbolt. The extent of the physical installation was to remove the inner plate of the deadbolt along with the bolts that secure the deadbolt. Then install the Yale plate using the same bolts. There are some adapter tips that you match to your deadbolt’s design, and then you snap the Yale plate over the deadbolt. It was actually really easy. I used just the adhesive for the Door Sense sensor that mounts near the lock. The Wi-Fi Bridge plugs into an electrical outlet. You’ll need an outlet within about 10 feet of the door for this to plug into. For the keypad, I used the adhesive mount though there are options for a screw mount. I was pleasantly surprised with the ease of the physical installation. The App – The app caused me some difficulty. First, you download and sign up for the Yale app (Android or Apple). Then you add the door lock to the app. This is where I had the biggest issue. I could not get the firmware to download and install for the lock. I wasn’t getting anywhere with that step, so I went to the next piece, the Wi-Fi Bridge. It was easy, and I got it connected to the Wi-Fi quickly. Last you add the keypad, which worked well. I did not have problems with the firmware on the Bridge or Keypad. Eventually, the firmware downloaded and installed for the lock, but the app never told me that it was complete. When doing the firmware installation you need to be on a Bluetooth connection within range of the door. The App Features and Settings App Features • The App has a section called a Keychain. It allows you to control multiple homes or locks from one app. I could see this being a benefit for someone renting a place out such as a VRBO or Air BNB. • Activity Log – Will show you every time that the lock is opened even if it’s manual. If someone uses the keypad (number or fingerprint) you can see who it is based on your PIN assignment or access info. • Guest List – You can add and remove people form the Guest List to grant or remove access. • Lock – Manually lock/unlock from the app Adjustable Settings • Can name each lock so you know which one is being accessed. • Turn on/off Lock Sounds • Turn Smart alerts on/off. Add additional Smart Alerts as desired. • Turn Auto-Lock and Auto –Unlock on/off. • Turn Door Sense on/off. Will tell you if your door is open or closed. • Adjust Door Ajar Timing. Will tell you if the door has been open for a certain amount of time. • Change brightness of keypad • Change keypad sounds • See battery level of keypad • Notify if Bridge is offline Additional Observations Finish – The finish of my existing door hardware is satin, but the Yale lock I got was black. Yale does make a satin finish, which I would have preferred. Just wanted to mention that it is available in satin if you are looking for that. Sound of Lock – The lock opening and closing has a churn sound to it as well as a digital sound. The churn sound is not pleasant, and it causes the lock to lose some cool points with me. You can turn on and off the digital sound, but the churn is simply part of the locking mechanism. Fingerprint Access – I really like the fingerprint access so I don’t have to remember a code. We installed this on a basement door so that we could come in from the backyard without a key. I’m giving the Yale Approach Smart-Lock 4 stars. I had some trouble with the firmware update and the churn sound is not pleasant when it locks/unlocks. Otherwise, I was very happy with the ease of the physical installation, and the fingerprint access is pretty cool. This is a reasonably priced way to be able to grant people access and have a keyless (smart) entry.

TL;DR The Yale Approach smart lock it’s a solid choice, especially for renters. The lock is easy to install and generally operates well. I have some issues with the UI and keypad mounting, but I still think it’s in the end a smart lock worth the hassle and would recommend it to others due to its retrofit design and generally acceptable execution. LOCK SETUP Setting up the Yale Approach smart lock was an extremely easy process. The entire setup is done via the app using QR codes and a setup wizard, eliminating the need for a printed quick guide. While the absence of a printed guide is environmentally friendly, it does have its drawbacks. There were a couple of instances where the app lost track of my progress when I had to switch to my password manager to save the login I created for the app or to copy my Wi-Fi password for the bridge settings. Although I was able to navigate back easily due to my familiarity with such devices, this could be a potential issue for less experienced users. Despite this minor hiccup, the setup wizard is one of the best I’ve encountered for a smart home device. However, I believe that having the app open the browser to a web page quick guide that steps the user through the setup manually, instead of relying solely on the wizard, would be a more foolproof approach. Apps can too easily lose state and disrupt the setup process. The installation itself was a breeze. If you can turn a screwdriver, you can install this lock. The entire process took about 45 minutes, including unboxing, familiarizing myself with the parts, installing the app, and creating the Yale account. Approximately a quarter of that time was spent waiting for firmware updates to be downloaded and installed to the lock and keypad. YALE ACCESS APP The Yale Access app boasts a clean user interface that’s visually appealing and easy to navigate. The activity log is well-executed, with color-coded icons that make it easy to interpret at a glance. LOCK OPERATION The operation of the lock is solid overall. From within the app, responsiveness of the lock varies depending on whether you’re in or out of Bluetooth range. Within range, the app is able to establish a direct Bluetooth connection to the lock, so the lag is short–around one second to wake and lock/unlock. Beyond Bluetooth range, the app is communicating with the lock via the Wi-Fi bridge over the internet through Yale’s servers in the middle. It took about 10 seconds at the longest to connect to the lock, which I suspect was probably due to dropped communications with the cell tower while I was driving home. In both cases, the lag is a balance between achieving maximum battery life or maximum connectivity, so I don’t mind having to wait a bit. BONUS POINTS The activity log shows, of course, locking, unlocking, and door opening events, but it also logs invalid fingerprint scans and code entries, which is a nice security feature.. Another perk is the detached keypad, which allows for flexible/discreet positioning. I actually mounted my keypad away from the door and somewhat out of sight on a nearby pillar (to minimize scrutiny from the HOA). MISSING FEATURES AND NEGATIVES While the Approach has many strengths, there are a few areas where it falls short. The keypad is on the slow side. There is about a 2-4 second lag between entering a code or reading a fingerprint and getting confirmation of a good code or fingerprint and then subsequent lock/unlock. It’s almost too slow, in my opinion. If this is something that can be fixed with a firmware update, it should be very high on the priority list. The lack of adjustable volume settings for both the lock and keypad is also a pretty obvious miss, especially on the keypad. You either have sound or you don’t. The sounds are valuable for feedback from keycode or fingerprint entry, so turning it off is not optimal. However, if this lock is being marketed to renters, then it’s a reasonable expectation that it would be used in apartments and condos in close proximity. At the current volume, the keypad volume is way too loud. It shouldn’t be so great that anyone in a 30-foot radius can hear it. We should be able to turn it down. Again, if this is fixable in firmware, a fix should go out asap. Another glaring shortcoming is the inability to register multiple fingerprints per user. We have 10 fingers. Why can we use only one? Again, an update is sorely needed. While the app includes a battery level indicator for the keypad, it lacks one for the lock itself. To repeat, Yale, please fix. User profile management is also really WEIRD. Only users invited with app access can add a fingerprint, and entry code-only users cannot add a fingerprint later. I don’t know if the fingerprints are stored locally on the keypad or on Yale’s servers, but requiring users to have a Yale account and app in order to use their fingerprint is poor design. We should have the option of adding fingerprints to users who have not installed the app. For example, think about children, extended family members, or even close friends. These are not users who will necessarily need app access. Why should they be limited to keycode entry? Furthermore, the app only offers two user roles: Owners and Guests. Owners have total control over the lock, including the ability to remove other users. Importantly, they're the only users who can view the activity log, while guests can only lock and unlock the door. There should be an additional user role, such as family member, who is allowed to view the activity log but not have total control. (Yale, no offense, but it’s like you guys are all childless, family-less, friendless weirdos or something.) There are also issues with mounting the keypad. The mounting plate has 1.7 mm tall standoffs molded into it (see pics), which complicates mounting in such a way to minimize the potential for wall damage. Ideally, I’d be able to use command strips, but the standoffs are too tall. The included mounting tape sheet is obviously thick enough to exceed the height of the standoffs, but it covers the full area of the mounting plate, thus it’s very secure but also all but guarantees wall damage or marring when the keypad eventually needs to be removed. My options then are to cut the included sheet into smaller pieces or use extra thick (2 mm) mounting tape to apply to the four corners of the plate so that the smaller pieces are easier to remove damage-free, but that tape is still not as easy to remove as command strips. Or, if I'm especially motivated, I can 3D print another plate designed around the standoffs to go between the mounting plate and the wall and stick command strips onto that second plate. Another option is to grind off the standoffs so that they no longer interfere with command strips. I know command strips aren’t as secure, but, one, Yale designed the mounting plate with some room to hide the command strip tabs; two, if someone is determined to steal your keypad, are they really going to be concerned about damaging your wall? CLOSING THOUGHTS Overall, despite these shortcomings, I still think the Yale Approach smart lock it’s a solid choice, especially for renters. If the issues that I suspect are fixable in firmware can be sorted out, this would be 5 stars out of the box.

This is an awesome biometric keypad/ bluetooth lock. And Yale has made some really nice ones in the past. But this lock was so easy to install, that even a novice can get it done in 15 to 20 minutes. I know this, because I am that such novice. The box come equipped with everything you need and more to get you up and (except the phillips screwdriver. But I'm sure you've got one of those things laying around the apartment, right? If not, borrow one from maintenance or your neighbors. It's really that simple. There are QR codes on the different parts and in a little booklet(The only little booklet in the box. I thought I was missing something at first.) The box is well packed and it does look intimidating at first, but trust me, this so simple, yet complex, that you'll feel like Super Handi Man after this. Don't get it twisted, though. This is as easy as making a good bowl of Roman ( A really good bowl, so if you can't cook, give the instructions to your kids.) Kidding. This is easy. The Box has the deadbolt cover, Biometric bluetooth keypad, wifi bridge, and the door sense module, the screws & accessories. Thhat's all you'll need. Get your phone out and get to work. there are instructions on how to set up key codes and stuff like the in the how to guides. I'm so glad this came along or I would've had have my door guy come of and make some cash that I didn't need to spend. This locking mechanism works great with my apartment keyhole still accessible and it looks great to boot. The only problem keeping it from getting a 5 star rating, is the fact that it doesn't have rechargeable batteries already installed. They do, however, give you 8 batteies that areready for action. Go get this thing.

This is my first real "Smart Lock" since most popular designs are built for standard bottom and top locking mechanisms. Aside from the August model (same company), this seems to be the only alternative for a top deadbolt retrofit.. at least from a reputable brand. The benefit over the August retrofit model is that this one has a more traditional turn keyplate. Which is much appreciated if you have guest over or have to rent out your home. GENERAL INSTALLATION: The deadbolt swap was fairly straight forward. Just need around an hour of time at most. The harder portions are both the door sensor (Wood screws or 3M Tape) and the actual key pad itself.. Which is Drill (anchored) or 3M tape with flat surface. Emphasis on flat surface! GENERAL USE: I'm happy to say that the app works fine and I didn't really notice any real bugs when using it. The only thing I could really complain about is that the "connect bridge" doesn't have a really strong signal a few feet from the door. I notice it's toggling between native WIFI and BT quite often which shouldn't really be the case. It hasn't really impacted the general performance so that's good. This was the closest location I could plug into at around 3 FT.. Another possible complaint is that the automatic turn sometimes doesn't fully retract back... but I'll be honest, it's likely my original lock causing the issue. Not 100% certain. Oh and Keypad works great. It's quite coinvent when you don't want to dig you phone out of your pocket. Thumb recognition doesn't seem to have issues either. OVERALL: I can fully recommend this smart lock kit. I would actually argue for the lower cost model that Yale sells if you don't think you need a keypad. The app has full functionality and seems redundant in most apartment or regular single family home use cases unless you have kids or family you don't want to give app access to, in which case it's valid. Alternatively.. Rental property's will obviously benefit. I think that's the main appeal to this full package. Just taking off a star for the "connect bridge" having low signal and my deadbolt not fully retracting, but as I said, that could be my original assembly causing it. Solid 4/5.

Pretty good lock for home security, u can use 4 things to unlock which is crazy technology

I recently installed the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad Touch in “black suede” at my daughter's apartment-style condo, and it's been a fantastic upgrade in all the ways I expected. While it's unfortunate that it's not compatible with Apple Home, which I typically prefer, the lock works seamlessly with Google Home, SmartThings, and Alexa. The installation was straightforward, requiring just a bit of tinkering along with the instructions, but nothing too challenging. Anyone should be able to figure it out which is nice with this type of thing that can seem daunting if you’re not inclined. The lock looks modern with the keypad and all and doesnt stand out like some others ive seen, and the black suede finish looks great. The Yale Access app is great and something I'm already familiar with from using Yale locks at my own home. The app's interface is user-friendly, and it makes managing the lock or tracking use and by who/what a breeze. My daughter also had great things to say about the app, praising its ease of use and the convenience it offers as she basically had a nightmare of a time in the past with another brand and the app basically makes or breaks the entire product. One of the features she really loves is the auto lock and unlock. My daughter loves coming home with groceries and having the door automatically unlock for her or lock when it detects shes left using the whole door sense option they have. It’s these little things that make life easier. The peace of mind it gives me as a father is something you really fall in love with. The biometric fingerprint access on the keypad is a great touch along with being able to mount the keypad itself at any height or nearby place. My daughter can use her fingerprint, a PIN, or the app then to unlock the door, offering multiple ways to gain access that just make things easy. The back-lit touchscreen is also a nice feature, especially for late-night arrivals if using it. I think this is a really great choice for anyone looking to enhance their home security by stepping into the smart lock scene the easiest way possible. The combination of sleek design, ease of use, and advanced features make it a solid investment. Both my daughter and I are extremely satisfied with it.

The Yale Approach Smart Lock is a smart deadbolt control that installs over your current hardware within your door. It is less invasive than some of the other smart lock systems on the market and is targeted towards renters or people who need to provide multiple people access to their property. After installing it and using it for a couple weeks, there is much to like with a couple downsides as well. Setup: Once you unpackage the lock, there will be a QR code to scan and step by step instructions to download the app (if you haven’t already) and start installing the lock. The entire process will take between 30 minutes to an hour if you need to familiarize yourself with the hardware. Software updates do take several minutes as well. The lock comes in two different colors so you can best match your interior door hardware. Usage: This lock includes several nice features including a wireless keypad and Wi-Fi integration which means many features are controlled with your phone. The keypad can be installed anywhere within bluetooth range so it doesn’t have to be on the door or directly next to the door. This is great if you want to hide the keypad around a corner or out of visible sight from the lock itself. Doorsense is the auto lock and unlock feature based on if the door is open or closed. You can choose to have the door lock automatically after it is closed within a certain period of time. Additionally, auto lock and unlock can detect your phone nearby and automatically unlock the lock so you can enter without even having to touch the keypad or lock itself. This is a great feature that I have enjoyed using. If you choose to use the keypad, it also includes a fingerprint sensor that can easily control the lock so you don’t have to use your phone for direct integration. The keypad works fairly well with fingerprint recognition and touch buttons. They are not physical mechanical buttons but rather a touch capacitive type. It is also illuminated so you have easy access to the numbers at night. The app allows you to assign temporary passcodes to people so they can enter using the keypad without permanent access. Cons: The keypad has the ability to turn the sound output on/off but no volume adjustment. Out of the box, it is very loud to the point that neighbors can hear it when used. I would like to see an ability to turn the volume down but not off. This would be even more important for those in apartment complexes. There can be a delay when using the keypad or other features of the lock. This can be anywhere from 1-2 seconds or 4-5 seconds. It is just long enough that it is annoying. If they could improve communication times over Wi-Fi, that would improve the user experience. They currently limit you to one fingerprint per user profile. It would be super helpful to allow more than one in case you want to use another finger due to your hands being full or whatever the situation might be. There is no way to tell what the battery level of the actual smart lock is through the app. The keypad allows for battery level but it seems odd that the lock doesn’t have the same feature. I am not sure what happens once the lock becomes critically low. It could stop working without warning which may be inconvenient or cause you to be locked out of your home/apartment if without a key. Overall: The Yale Approach Lock is a great option for those that do not want to replace their entire door hardware but want to add smart capability to their home/apartment. Even though there are a couple drawbacks to the system (that may be able to be tweaked with software updates) the core features of the lock work well.

The Yale Approach Smart Lock allowed me to easily add smart lock capabilities to my existing deadbolt without changing the lock. The exterior side of the lock stayed exactly the same as before, and the same key still works. However, I can now lock and unlock much more conveniently, either using the keypad, remotely using the app, or via my home automation system. Installing the Approach lock was easy and straightforward. Everything needed was included in the box except for a screwdriver. The app walked me through each step, and it all worked just as expected. Setting up the wi-fi bridge included one minor hiccup: I had to temporarily disable the 5 GHz feature on my router as the bridge only supports 2.5 GHz (and this wasn’t mentioned anywhere in the setup). The keypad can be mounted using screws or adhesive – and one adhesive pad is included. it would have been nice if the keypad was designed in a way that would allow for removeable adhesive strips to minimize damage upon removal, but two tiny screw holes are pretty easy to paint over if/when the keypad is removed. Setting things up in the app was also easy. Each member of the household gets their own account, complete with a PIN and fingerprint for the keypad. Administrators can add guests, assign them a PIN, and schedule allowed access times in the app. Guests who use a PIN don’t ever need to use the Yale app. My one complaint is that guests who want to use fingerprint for access will need to install the Yale app and create an account. This is unfortunate because I was hoping this might make it easier for an older relative who isn’t great with smart phones or remembering codes to come and go as they please. Overall, this is a solid option for someone who wants to easily add smart lock capabilities to their home without changing their lock (or taking away “old fashioned” key access).

This Yale Approach retrofit smart lock kit is a great way to add smart features to your existing deadbolt making it perfect for rentals where you need to keep the original lock in place. With this kit you are able to add a smart lock by replacing just the interior locking mechanism and replacing it with this smart lock. Setup is simple and intuitive, there is a QR code that you can scan and it will walk you through the process of installing and setting up the lock. Install is very simple requiring only a screwdriver with the setup process talking you through how to remove your interior lock and replacing it with the Yale lock kit. The app is fairly intuitive with some really nice features for adding and removing people who can have access with essentially two types of access either keypad access or fingerprint/keypad access. Unfortunately, fingerprint access requires having the Yale app installed for the person who you are giving access to. Integration with Alexa and Google Home only gives you the ability to use voice controls, all control and setup for this lock is done through the Yale app meaning it is only partially integrated with your smart home. My only real complaint with this lock is I wish it was more fully integrated with other smart home systems such as Google Home or Apple HomeKit allowing the use of virtual keys that these systems allow without requiring the use of Yale's app. I am never a fan of adding apps for controlling parts of my smart home as I prefer to have one area to control all of my devices and not needing to use multiple apps for every individual item that I need to control.

Very simple and easy to set up and activate out of the box, though, I do suggest pulling up the video as the instructions and documentation provided leave something to be desired if you are not handy inclined so to speak. It is pretty simple though. Just take off the back/inside part of the deadbolt and install the plate over the existing lock. That part is easy. Install the app, install the keypad close to the door. The one thing that gave me a little trouble was the wi-fi bridge connection. It needs to be placed in an outlet close to the door and keypad so it can connect via bluetooth and also needs a wi-fi connection nearby to complete the connection. All that can be completed in like 10 minutes. Now all you need to do is set up the key pad with your personalized codes for access, you can also use your phone as a key or your fingerprint on the keypad. Pretty slick and lots of options for transforming my door into keyless entry for me and anyone I choose! As long as you have an outlet and wi-fi somewhere near, you are good to go. I have placed this on a storage door that we use somewhat frequently, yet not every day. This allows me to get into this space without my keys. Since this is a storage space it uses different keys that I don't carry all the time, so this makes it more convenient for me and others who use this space.