It installs fast, works great, and is supported by a rock-solid companion app.
At 5.6 inches tall and 2.6 inches wide, Yales retrofit assembly is installed inside your home or property.
Youll keep using the exterior lock and deadbolt, so dont accidentally toss any screws in the garbage.
Jerome Thomas / How-To Geek
Before installing, youll want to double-check you have enough space above your doorknob for the Approach Lock.
Every Approach Lock also comes with a Yale Connect Wi-Fi bridge and a magnetized DoorSense module.
The former requires an AC outlet and is about the size of a doorbell chime or smart plug.
This sleek and modern lock seamlessly integrates with your front door and makes accessing your home simpler and more convenient than ever before. The Yale Approach lock installs on the inside of your door without replacing your existing deadbolt, so no DIY experience is needed, and you can keep your keys.
Additional contents include installation hardware and user manuals.
Once your interior lock is removed, use the screws you saved to secure the backplate.
I cant tell you how many times one or both would fall out during the installation process.
Jerome Thomas / How-To Geek
I did like how easy it was to just snap the Approach Lock onto the backplate.
As far as setup goes, youll need to download the Yale Access app (foriPhoneandAndroiddevices).
Once you create a free Yale account, tap Set Up a gear to begin configuring the Approach Lock.
Jerome Thomas / How-To Geek
After a quick firmware update, I moved on to installing the Yale Connect and DoorSense module.
After the Connect finishes updating, I recommend performing a deadbolt calibration.
you might find the Calibrate option on the Lock configs screen, housed under Utilities.
Michael Bizzaco / How-To Geek
So how about we get the cons out of the way?
First and foremost, the Auto-Lock feature was a little wonky.
This issue didn’t resurface again.
Michael Bizzaco / How-To Geek
I also noticed that several machine tweaks couldnt be adjusted when my iPhone was out of range.
But besides those two complaints, everything else about the Yale Approach worked flawlessly.
The Door Ajar setting was convenient, too.
Michael Bizzaco / How-To Geek
I was surprised that the app didnt offermoresettings and customizations.
When you launch the app, youll be on the Keychain page.
After making your selection, youll be brought to the home page.
Michael Bizzaco / How-To Geek
Theres one interactive feature on this panel: lock and unlock.
Tap the green icon to lock, and the red one to unlock.
I loved the Activity tab.
This scrollable dashboard keeps a log of all the locks and unlocks performed by the Approach Lock.
Youll also be able to see who or what did the locking or unlocking.
The lack of this simple UI element had me thinking the code was created on the keypad itself.
Maybe standard AA batteries were a way to cut engineering costs.
A rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack for the Approach Lock makes more sense to me though.
Should You Buy the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi?
Its also a terrific buy for those of us operating Airbnb rentals.
Want even more front door security?
Why not add one of theseexcellent video doorbellsto your property?
