Yale, one of the oldest lock manufacturers in the world, has announced an all-new retrofit smart lock, the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi. Affordably priced at $129.99, the lock is also available bundled with Yale’s exterior keypad for $179.99.
The primary appeal of installing a retrofit smart lock is that it doesn’t require the wholesale replacement of your existing lock. The smart component fits over the interior element of the deadbolt that’s already in place.
This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart locks.
That makes retrofit locks like the Yale Approach a great option for people looking for an easy smart home upgrade, homeowners who don’t want to alter their door’s exterior aesthetic, or renters who otherwise can’t change their locks at all. Yale says the lock can be installed in 10 minutes with just a screwdriver.
The Yale Approach retrofit smart lock doesn’t require you to replace your existing deadbolt.
The Yale Approach retrofit smart lock doesn’t require you to replace your existing deadbolt.
Yale
The Yale Approach retrofit smart lock doesn’t require you to replace your existing deadbolt.
Yale
Yale
This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart locks.
Available in Black Suede and Silver, Yale says the Approach has a very slim profile—1.6 inches off the door—and that its design takes cues from the company’s Yale Assure Lock 2 product line. The lock operates over Bluetooth and comes with the Yale Connect Wi-Fi Bridge plugged into a nearby electrical outlet.
Users can use the Yale Access app to operate the lock anywhere they have internet access. The app also enables keyless entry with PIN codes for residents and guests, and it maintains an event log so you can keep track of who’s coming and going.
In addition, the Yale Approach can be integrated into the Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Philips Hue smart home ecosystems. Yale says Matter compatibility will come later, via a software update.
The lock can also be operated with the Yale Keypad, a battery-powered, weather-resistant (IPX5) numeric keypad that communicates with the lock via Bluetooth. They keypad looks to be a significant improvement over Yale’s August Smart Keypad, and it is in fact also compatible with Yale’s August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. The new keypad can be purchased separately for $69.99 or bundled with the August lock for $229.99.
Yale says the Yale Approach is available now at both Yale’s online store and at August.com. The lock will be available at Amazon and other retailers soon.
Author: Michael Brown, Executive Editor
Michael is TechHive's lead editor, with 30+ years of experience covering the tech industry, focusing on the smart home, home audio, and home theater. He built his own smart home in 2007 and used it as a real-world test lab for product reviews. Following a relocation to the Pacific Northwest, he is now converting his new home, an 1890 Victorian bungalow, into a modern smart home.