Experiencing August Smart Lock Notification Lag?
The security and convenience of an August Smart Lock rely on timely information. When someone locks or unlocks your door, you expect to receive a notification on your smartphone almost instantly. If these alerts are delayed by several minutes, it can cause confusion and undermine the reliability of the system.
This guide is designed to help you troubleshoot the common causes of notification lag with your August lock and restore the prompt alerts you depend on.
## Symptoms of Notification Delay
The problem isn't always obvious, but here are the key signs that your notifications are not arriving as quickly as they should.
- Delayed "Door Locked/Unlocked" Alerts: You receive a push notification that the door was manually or automatically locked/unlocked minutes after the event actually happened.
- Late Smart Alerts: A "Door Ajar" or "Auto-Lock" notification arrives long after the door has been left open or secured.
- Slow Auto-Unlock: You arrive home, but the Auto-Unlock feature takes an unusually long time to unlock the door as you approach.
- Activity Feed is Not Real-Time: When you open the August app, the Activity Feed takes a while to update with the latest events.
## Why Your August Notifications Are Delayed
The notification process involves a chain of communication: Your Lock -> August Connect -> August Servers -> Your Phone. A delay can happen at any point in this chain.
- Poor Bluetooth Connection: The connection between your August Lock and the August Connect Wi--Fi bridge is via Bluetooth. If the Connect is too far away from the lock, this communication will be slow and unreliable.
- Weak Wi-Fi Signal: The August Connect needs a strong and stable connection to your home's Wi-Fi router to send information to August's servers quickly.
- Phone's Power-Saving Settings: Modern smartphones often put apps to "sleep" to save battery. If the August app is being restricted, it can delay its ability to receive push notifications from the server.
- Slow Phone Internet Connection: If your phone has a poor Wi-Fi or mobile data connection, it will be slow to receive the notification even if August's servers send it instantly.
- Low Lock Batteries: As the batteries in your smart lock get critically low, the lock's performance, including its communication speed, can degrade.
## How to Fix August Notification Lag
Let's work through these solutions to get your alerts back up to speed.
### 1. Optimise Your August Connect Placement
The location of your Connect bridge is the most critical factor for notification speed.
- Check Signal Strength: In the August app, go to the settings for your lock, and then select 'August Connect Settings'. You can check both the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signal levels here. They should both be strong.
- Move it Closer: The Connect should be plugged into a power outlet within 15 feet (4.5 metres) of your August Smart Lock. It should also be in a location where it can get a good Wi-Fi signal from your router.
- Avoid Obstructions: Ensure the path between the lock and the Connect is as clear as possible. Thick walls, especially those with metal or plumbing, can interfere with the Bluetooth signal.
### 2. Adjust Your Phone's App Settings
You need to ensure the August app is allowed to run in the background.
- Disable Battery Optimisation: On your phone, go to Settings > Apps, find the August app, and select the 'Battery' or 'Power' section. Choose the 'Unrestricted' or 'Do not optimise' option to prevent your phone from putting the app to sleep.
- Enable Background Data: In the same app settings menu, make sure the August app is allowed to use background data.
- Check Notification Permissions: Double-check that all notification permissions are enabled for the August app.
### 3. Check Lock Batteries and Reboot Devices
A few simple maintenance steps can solve many problems.
- Check Battery Level: In the August app, go to your lock's settings page to see the current battery level. If they are low, replace them with a fresh set of CR123 batteries.
- Reboot the Connect: Unplug the August Connect from the wall outlet, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. The LED light should turn solid green once it has reconnected.
- Reboot Your Phone: A quick restart of your smartphone can clear up many temporary software issues that might be affecting notification delivery.
By optimising the placement of your August Connect and adjusting your phone's settings, you can significantly reduce or eliminate notification lag, ensuring you always have a real-time view of your home's security.