TheYale Approach smart lockis Yale Home’s first retrofit smart lock, which boasts an easy installation for all skill levels. When purchased in a bundle with the Yale Keypad, the smart lock expands its capabilities further with even more ways to manage access via entry codes, scheduled use, and tracking of specific guests.
For those willing to modify their old locks, the Approach Lock offers plenty of customization and safety without being bound to a set of keys. However, the lock does require the use of a Wi-Fi bridge for its full potential and some fine-tuning to get the best results.
Yale Approach Lock (With Yale Keypad)
The Yale Approach smart lock provides an easy retrofit installation that replaces your deadbolt while opening up more accessibility and management options for your home. While your existing key can still be used, automatic locking and unlocking can free you from relying on your keys with remote access via the Yale Access app, using your stored codes with the optional keypad, or pairing with supported smart home voice assistants.
Price and Availability
The Yale Approach smart lock comes in a silver or black suede finish with the option to bundle alongside the Yale keypad.
When purchasing the lock from the Yale Home website, the bundle will include either the Yale Keypad which uses custom entry codes for $179.99 or the Yale Keypad Touch which uses both codes and fingerprints for $229.99. When purchasing from Amazon, the lock and its included bridge will cost $129.99 with the option to separately purchase the Yale Keypad or Keypad Touch.
Specifications
Installing a Retrofit Smart Lock
For those new to smart locks, this retrofit smart lock is intended to replace your existing single cylinder deadbolt. If you attempt to change a double cylinder deadbolt versus a single cylinder deadbolt with a thumb turn, you’ll run into issues during installation, so it’s best to work with the main supported lock type.
Before following the Yale Access app’s installation guide, you’ll also want to expose the QR code and serial number beneath both the lock and keypad’s battery covers to streamline your set-up and device pairing within the app. After reviewing the in-app installation guide, you can easily install the lock within the estimated ten-minute window if you have a decent level of comfort with home modifications. However, if you’re changing your first deadbolt, or you’re unsure about the specific adapter for your lock’s tailpiece, the installation can stretch out a little longer.
With the base lock installation requiring just a Phillips screwdriver, it’s a simple procedure to change your existing lock and install the new smart lock and mounting plate. Just verify to tape your front lock-piece and borrow a second pair of hands if you need a firmer hold during installation.
Installing and Using DoorSense
After the initial smart lock installation, it’s advisable to also install DoorSense next to your lock to allow it to detect whether your door is open or closed. This can be done with either a quick surface mount or a more advanced flush mount procedure which will require some drilling. For the purposes of testing, I opted to go with the surface mount to see whether the exterior screen door interfered with the sensor.
Additionally, the surface next to my main door wasn’t completely flat; I was able to successfully align it with the top of the Yale logo on the lock and within the required 1-1/2 inches from the edge of the door frame. Following this, you’ll be prompted to calibrate your lock to help ensure proper operation and detection.
To optimize DoorSense, you’ll want to monitor the results of your calibration to ensure no false reads occur shortly thereafter. Otherwise, you may run into some faulty reads such as if you fail to open the door wide enough during the calibration procedure.
Once you’ve gotten the DoorSense attached securely via the included double-sided tape and two screws, you’ll be able to start taking advantage of its major benefits. If your door is left ajar, you may set a smart alert to notify you anywhere between a minute and thirty-minutes. If you happen to be forgetful, or any family member or guest has a penchant for leaving the door open, it’s a great way to monitor, especially when paired with specific access codes using a Yale Keypad.
Additionally, DoorSense helps with the auto-unlock feature of the lock which swaps between a Home mode and Away mode state depending on whether you’ve left your home, which is estimated at about 200 meters.
So Many Code Options With Yale Keypad
For those that either opt for the lock and keypad bundle or purchase it later, the keypad offers a few additional features to round out your access management. When installing it, just keep in mind that you’ll need to place it within 8 feet of your lock. Like with the DoorSense sensor, there’s a more simple installation method via the included adhesive pad, but you can also opt to drill your own holes and install the backplate with screws.
If you don’t want to rely on the timed auto-lock feature or manual locking of your door, the keypad can be used to lock your door with one touch and hold press of the Yale logo button.
Up to 250 codes can be stored via the Yale Access app, and these can be customized for specific guests. Besides the option to either use a randomly generated or custom code, you can also set an access schedule that’s either always on, recurring, or temporary.
In addition to code management, day-to-day use can be optimized with either an adaptive brightness setting or a keypad sound for those wanting audio feedback during a code entry. The battery level of the keypad can be monitored within the Yale Access app with the included batteries having an estimated seven months of battery life. When removing the battery cover and reinstalling it, the plastic piece at the bottom isn’t always super receptive to the included pin; it can require some experimentation by feel.
Managing Your Smart Lock While Away
Whether you purchase just the Yale Approach smart lock or the keypad bundle, the Yale Connect bridge is included to connect your lock to your Wi-Fi. During the initial set-up procedure, the Yale Access app will analyze both your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signals to help determine if both are strong enough. So if you do run into a poor connection, the app will switch to the best connection type whether it’s Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Regardless, you’ll need the Connect installed to control the keypad and lock while away. Some settings will still require your phone to be connected to your home Wi-Fi network to be modified; you’ll benefit from guest list management and the option to remotely lock and unlock your door within the app.
If you don’t wish to rely entirely on the Access app, you can also pair and control your smart lock with different assistants. For testing purposes, I paired the lock with Alexa; I was able to easily set up unlocking with the Alexa app and a voice-based access code for unlocking the smart lock. In addition, Google Home, Philips Hue, and Samsung SmartThings are also supported with Matter support coming later via a software update.
Using the Yale Access App
For those looking to ditch their keys, the Yale Access app will allow you to both fully customize and monitor the state of your smart lock. At a glance, the app presents the state of your lock in a simplified manner with a colored circle indicating whether it’s currently locked or not. you may also note whether it’s currently connected via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi in the upper right corner.
Instead, the activity, guest list, and setting menu will draw the majority of your attention. Once you’ve installed everything, you’re able to choose between lock, keypad, and bridge specific settings to both tweak and monitor their current state.
For most users, you’ll spend the most time tweaking your lock settings. To prevent someone from using your phone to access your smart lock, you can set up verified access via biometric or passcode authentication and also hide entry codes within the app. Notifications can be managed via customizable smart alerts which can be set between five different event types and by time, whether it’s any time the event occurs or in a certain time range.
In testing, I opted to enable all the smart alerts to keep a full activity log of any interactions. If you’re thinking of complementing the likes of a doorbell camera, this serves as an extra back-up measure should anyone ever attempt to enter outside its viewing range.
In addition to minor adjustments, the major auto-lock and auto-unlock features are tweaked under the lock settings within the Access app. The auto-lock feature can be triggered quickly; I found at smaller ranges such as one-to-five minutes, it would be clunky, especially if leaving the door ajar for small tasks such as taking the trash outside or the dogs on a short bathroom break only to return to the lock being activated. Instead, I opted to set it to thirty minutes, which allowed me to either perform a series of small tasks or feel more secure if I wanted to just lock the main door and leave the smart lock to do the rest later.
When using auto-unlock, I found the process to be reliable if tested on a phone that was frequently using the Yale Access app and had granted all the appropriate permissions. Notifications would pop when the auto-unlock was active and when it started unlocking on the Infinix Hot 40 Pro on an older Samsung Galaxy S7.
Occasionally, delays in the operation of the auto-unlock would occur if I connected briefly to my home Wi-Fi network and left to visit a family member on the next driveway down the road. Upon return, it would sometimes trigger a few minutes later versus as I pulled up.
Should You Buy the Yale Approach Smart Lock?
TheYale Approach smart lockoffers an easy way to improve your home security while also freeing you from having to constantly carry your keys around. With a quick, easy installation that doesn’t require you to change out your original single cylinder deadbolt, it’s incredibly user-friendly even for those not used to DIY projects.
However, those who purchase the keypad may become frustrated with the battery cover’s locking mechanism and worry about potential breakage down the line. Additionally, the required power socket for the bridge may deter some, especially those who may be using them for other smart home security devices.
Ultimately, you’ll want to weigh how much you value monitoring your door or going key-free; it’s a welcoming option for those looking to have more control over their home or travel frequently.
