How to Fix Your August Smart Lock Not Working with Google Home
Being able to lock your door or check its status with a simple voice command to your Google Assistant is a powerful smart home feature. When it stops working, it can be frustrating. This guide will help you troubleshoot the connection between your August Smart Lock and Google Home.
## Prerequisite: Check Your August Connect Bridge
Before anything else, it's vital to understand that for Google Home to work, your August Smart Lock needs to be connected to the internet. This is accomplished via the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge or a compatible August Doorbell Camera.
- Is it Plugged In and Online? Check that your August Connect is plugged into a power socket. It should have a solid green LED light, indicating it is connected to both your lock (via Bluetooth) and your Wi-Fi network.
- Check its Proximity: The Connect bridge must be within Bluetooth range of the lock (ideally within 4-5 metres or 15 feet) and also have a good Wi-Fi signal from your router.
- Test in the August App: Open the August app on your phone and turn off Bluetooth. Try to lock or unlock your door using your Wi-Fi/mobile data connection. If this works, you know the lock and the Connect bridge are working correctly, and the problem lies with the Google Home link. If it doesn't work, you need to troubleshoot the August Connect first.
## Step 1: Re-link the August and Google Home Accounts
This is the most common fix. The authorisation between the two services can sometimes expire or get stuck. Refreshing the connection solves the problem most of the time.
- Open the Google Home app.
- Tap "Devices" in the bottom menu.
- Find your August Smart Lock in the list. If it's not there, proceed to step 5.
- Tap on the lock, then tap the settings cog icon, and select "Unlink August".
- Now, to re-add it, tap the "+" icon in the top left.
- Select "Set up device", then "Works with Google".
- Find August from the list (or use the search) and tap on it.
- You will be prompted to sign in with your August account email and password. This re-authorises the connection.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to assign your lock to a room.
After re-linking, test the connection with a voice command like, "Hey Google, lock the front door."
## Step 2: Sync Your Devices
Sometimes, Google Home just needs a nudge to update the status of your devices.
- Use the voice command: "Hey Google, sync my devices."
- This will force a refresh of all the smart home devices linked to your Google account. Wait a minute after the sync is complete and then try a command for your lock again.
## Step 3: Check for Naming Conflicts
Is it possible you have another device named "Front Door" in your Google Home app? This can cause confusion.
- Open the Google Home app and review your device list.
- If you find a conflict, rename one of the devices to something unique. For example, you could rename your lock to "Front Door Lock".
- Remember to "Sync my devices" again after renaming.
## Step 4: Setting a PIN for Unlocking (Security Feature)
For your security, Google Assistant will not allow you to unlock your door with a voice command by default. You must first set a security PIN.
- In the Google Home app, find and tap on your August lock.
- Tap the settings cog icon.
- Look for an option related to "Security PIN" or "Personal Identification Number".
- Enable it and follow the prompts to create your PIN.
Now, you can say, "Hey Google, unlock the front door," and it will ask you for your PIN to complete the request.