August Smart Lock Missing Features? A Guide to Unlocking Its Full Potential
The August Smart Lock is a powerful device designed to add convenience and security to your home. However, if you feel like you're not getting the full experience, or that certain advertised features are missing or not working, it's often a matter of configuration or understanding the system's requirements. This guide, written in professional British English, will walk you through the most common "missing" features and how to enable them.
## Understanding August's Core Components: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
It's crucial to understand how the August lock communicates.
- Bluetooth (Core Functionality): The August Smart Lock itself uses Bluetooth to communicate directly with your smartphone when you are nearby (within about 10-15 feet). This is how it performs its basic lock and unlock functions, including Auto-Unlock.
- Wi-Fi (Extended Features): For features that require an internet connection—like locking/unlocking the door when you're away from home, integrating with voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant), or receiving real-time notifications anywhere—you need the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge. This is a separate device that plugs into a power socket and acts as a bridge between your Bluetooth lock and your home Wi-Fi network.
## Troubleshooting Common "Missing" Features
Let's address the features that users most frequently have trouble with.
### Feature 1: Auto-Unlock Isn't Working
Auto-Unlock is one of August's most popular features, designed to unlock your door automatically as you approach. If it's not working, it's almost always a settings issue on your smartphone.
- Enable Location Services: The August app needs 'Always On' access to your phone's location to know when you have left your neighbourhood and when you have returned.
- Keep Wi-Fi and Bluetooth On: Your phone uses both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals to accurately determine your proximity to the lock. Turning them off will prevent Auto-Unlock from functioning correctly.
- App Settings: Dive into the August app settings for your lock and ensure that the Auto-Unlock feature is toggled on.
### Feature 2: No Remote Access or Voice Assistant Control
You're at the office and want to let a guest in, but the app says the lock is unreachable.
- The August Connect is Required: As mentioned above, this is not a missing feature of the lock itself, but a capability enabled by the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge. If you do not have this accessory installed and configured, you will not have remote access.
- Check the Connect's Status: Ensure your Connect bridge is online. It should have a solid green light. If it's flashing, it may have lost its connection to your Wi-Fi or the lock. Try unplugging it and plugging it back in, closer to your smart lock.
### Feature 3: DoorSense™ Is Not Reporting Door Status
You can lock and unlock the deadbolt, but the app doesn't tell you if the door is physically open or closed.
- Installation and Calibration: DoorSense™ is a feature that requires a small magnet to be installed on your door frame, right next to the lock. If this component was not installed, or if it has been knocked out of alignment, the lock has no way of sensing the door's position.
- Recalibrate in the App: Go to your lock's settings in the August app and find the 'Calibrate Lock and DoorSense' option. This will guide you through the process to ensure the lock knows the correct open and closed positions.
By ensuring your system is set up correctly and that you have the necessary components like the August Connect, you can enjoy the full suite of features that make the August Smart Lock a leader in home access.