What is the Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus?

Yale sells the Assure Lock 2 as a family of variants with different connectivity and smart-home support. Apple Home Key support is offered on the Plus variants specifically, while Wi-Fi versions such as the Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi list Apple HomeKit compatibility. Check the exact model variant before buying, since the Z-Wave Plus module doesn’t fit the Touch or Plus versions.

Does the Yale Assure Lock 2 work with August and Apple Home?

Yale and August are related brands under the same parent company, and Apple Home Key support is offered on the Assure Lock 2 Plus variants specifically, while Wi-Fi versions such as the Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi list Apple HomeKit compatibility — check the exact model variant’s compatibility, since Yale sells many colorway and connectivity combinations under the Assure Lock 2 name with different smart-home support.

Why does this lock have a lower rating than the Schlage Encode?

Its average rating across a deep base of verified ratings is genuinely lower than the Schlage Encode’s, which is an honest, real difference rather than a data error. It remains a reasonable pick specifically for buyers already standardizing on the Yale/August ecosystem, where that fit may outweigh the rating gap.

Does the Assure Lock 2 include DoorSense?

Yes — DoorSense is Yale’s door-position sensing feature; with Auto-Lock enabled, Yale says the lock secures the door once DoorSense detects that it is closed, which reviewers note as more reliable than auto-lock systems that rely on a timer alone.

Is the Yale Assure Lock 2 difficult to install?

Most owners describe a standard retrofit installation similar to other smart deadbolts on this hub — a Phillips screwdriver, roughly half an hour, and no new drilling required if the door already has a standard deadbolt hole. See the full how to install a smart lock guide for the general process.

How does WiFi connectivity work on the Yale Assure Lock 2?

WiFi is built directly into the lock on WiFi-equipped variants, so no separate bridge accessory is needed for remote access — check the specific variant you're buying, since Yale also sells Bluetooth-only versions of the Assure Lock 2 line that do require a separate WiFi bridge or a smart-home hub for remote features.

Why would someone choose the Yale Assure Lock 2 over a higher-rated competitor?

Ecosystem fit is the honest reason, not rating alone. A household already running August smart locks, or specifically wanting Apple Home Keys on a compatible variant, gets a real integration benefit from staying within the Yale/August family that a higher-rated but unconnected competitor can't match.

Does the Yale Assure Lock 2 have a physical key backup?

Most variants retain a traditional key cylinder as backup alongside the touch keypad and app, though Yale also offers fully keyless variants with no keyhole at all — check the specific model listing if a physical key backup matters to you.

Should I buy the WiFi, Bluetooth or Z-Wave version of the Assure Lock 2?

Choose WiFi if you want remote access with no separate hub, Z-Wave if you already run a SmartThings or similar hub-based smart-home system, and Bluetooth-only if you mainly want app control at close range and don't need full remote access. Yale also sells add-on smart modules (Wi-Fi and Z-Wave Plus) for many Assure Lock 2 models, but not every module fits every variant — Yale states its Z-Wave Plus module is not compatible with the Assure Lock 2 Touch or Assure Lock 2 Plus — so confirm the model number before planning an upgrade.

Is the lower rating a reason to avoid the Yale Assure Lock 2 entirely?

Not necessarily — a real, honest rating gap against the category leader doesn't mean the lock is broken or a poor product, and DoorSense specifically is a genuine feature advantage over some higher-rated competitors. It does mean buyers without a specific Yale/August/Apple Home Keys reason to choose it should default to the Schlage Encode instead.

Does the Yale Assure Lock 2 support fingerprint entry?

Yes, on the Assure Lock 2 Touch versions — Yale lists fingerprint access alongside touchscreen keypad codes, Auto-Unlock, a backup key and virtual keys on the Assure Lock 2 Touch Keypad with Wi-Fi. The plain Keypad, Touchscreen and Plus versions don’t include a fingerprint reader, so check the exact variant. For a wider comparison see best fingerprint lock .

Can the Yale Assure Lock 2 be used on a rental property?

Yes, with the usual rental caveat of checking your lease first — it retrofits the existing deadbolt hole without modifying the door, so the original hardware can go back in at move-out, and codes can simply be reset for a new occupant.

Yale Assure Lock 2 Review 2026: Specs, Rating, Verdict

Written & researched by Dale Ferris Smart Home Editor

Updated September 2026

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. We do not buy, install, or physically handle the cameras we cover; our rankings come from aggregated owner reviews, ratings and expert consensus. Commissions never change our verdicts. We're reader-supported: commissions fund hosting, research and updates, so if a guide helped, buying through our links keeps it going. How we rank · full disclosure.

How we’re funded: the link below is an affiliate link — buy through it and we earn a small commission at no cost to you. It never changes a verdict. We do not buy or physically handle this lock; the review below is built from aggregated owner reviews and the manufacturer’s published specifications. See how we rank and our affiliate disclosure.

Yale

Yale Assure Lock 2, Touch Keypad Deadbolt with Wi-Fi

Owner Rated · Verified reviews

A WiFi-connected touch keypad deadbolt for buyers standardizing on the Yale/August ecosystem.

Check Price →

In Plain English

The Yale Assure Lock 2 is a family of smart deadbolts rather than a single lock. The versions share a touch keypad and the Yale app, but they connect in different ways: some have WiFi built in, some use Bluetooth, and some use Z-Wave (a smart-home radio that needs a separate hub).

Think of it like buying a phone and then choosing a carrier. The lock is much the same either way; the connection decides what you can do from far away. WiFi versions let you lock up from anywhere with no extra box. Bluetooth versions work only nearby unless you add a bridge. Z-Wave versions suit homes that already run a hub such as SmartThings or Ring. The one thing to do before buying is match the exact model number to the connection you want.

Full Specifications

Entry method	Fingerprint reader and touchscreen keypad on Touch versions, plus Auto-Unlock, virtual keys and backup key (keypad-only versions also sold)
Connectivity	Built-in WiFi
Auto-lock	Auto-Lock with DoorSense (locks once the door is detected closed)
Power	4 AA batteries
Security grade	ANSI/BHMA Grade 2
App	Yale Access

Summary

The Yale Assure Lock 2 holds a solid rating across a deep base of verified owner ratings — a real, honestly lower rating than the category-leading Schlage Encode. It’s a legitimate touch keypad deadbolt with built-in WiFi and Yale’s DoorSense auto-lock confirmation, and remains a reasonable pick specifically for buyers already invested in the Yale or August ecosystem.

What owners praise

DoorSense is the most consistently cited positive — confirming the door is physically closed before auto-locking, rather than relying on a blind timer, which reviewers note as more reliable than some competing auto-lock implementations. The touch keypad and Yale Access app are also praised for straightforward day-to-day use.

What owners complain about

The rating gap versus category leaders reflects real, recurring themes in negative reviews — some buyers report connectivity dropouts and a less consistent WiFi connection than higher-rated competitors. A number of reviews also mention the price as high relative to its rating, especially against the Schlage Encode at a similar cost point but a notably higher rating.

Touch Keypad Design and Build Quality

The Assure Lock 2 Touch with WiFi, the version this page reviews, uses a touch keypad rather than raised buttons, with numbers that light up on contact and a design language that tracks with the broader Yale/August family look — a rounded, modern profile compared to Schlage's more traditional deadbolt styling. It comes in more finish and connectivity options than most competitors, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Z-Wave versions, and Yale sells add-on Wi-Fi and Z-Wave Plus smart modules for many (not all) Assure Lock 2 models. Owners generally describe the physical build as solid, though a portion of the rating gap against the Schlage Encode reflects fit-and-finish complaints in a minority of reviews, not a widespread build-quality failure across the whole product line.

Deadbolt Installation Experience

Installation follows the same retrofit pattern common to this hub: measuring the backset, removing the old hardware, and mounting the new lock with a Phillips screwdriver in under an hour for most owners. The modular connectivity design means the specific setup steps vary slightly by which module (WiFi, Bluetooth or Z-Wave) is installed, so it's worth confirming which variant you're buying and reading that module's specific pairing instructions before starting. See the full smart lock installation guide for the general process shared across smart deadbolts.

Yale Access App and DoorSense

The Yale Access app handles remote lock and unlock, code management and activity history, and DoorSense — Yale's door-position sensor — confirms the door is physically closed before auto-locking rather than relying on a blind timer. Reviewers specifically call out DoorSense as more trustworthy than simpler auto-lock implementations that occasionally lock a door that hasn't actually latched. On the WiFi variant, remote access and notifications work over the built-in connection; on Bluetooth or Z-Wave variants, remote features depend on the paired bridge or hub staying online.

Battery Life and Backup Entry

The Assure Lock 2 runs on four AA batteries, and owners report battery life broadly comparable to other connected touch-keypad deadbolts, with WiFi variants drawing more power than Bluetooth-only ones. A low-battery warning surfaces through the keypad and app before the batteries actually die. Most variants retain a physical key override as the ultimate backup for a dead battery or connectivity fault, and DoorSense continues functioning locally regardless of WiFi status, since it's a physical sensor rather than a cloud-dependent feature. As with any electronic keypad, extreme cold can affect touchscreen responsiveness, so owners in harsher climates should keep a spare set of batteries on hand.

Security Considerations

The Assure Lock 2's app and WiFi communication is encrypted, and it includes keypad lockout after repeated failed code attempts, in line with other reputable connected locks on this hub. Some of the connectivity dropout complaints reflected in its lower rating relate to WiFi module reliability rather than the physical security of the deadbolt itself, which uses the same certified bolt hardware regardless of which connectivity module is installed. Buyers specifically concerned about connection stability may find the Bluetooth or Z-Wave variants report fewer dropout complaints than the WiFi module, though this varies by home and router setup rather than being a fixed rule. Physical pick and drill resistance on the underlying bolt itself is unaffected by any of this, since that's a mechanical property of the hardware, not the connectivity layer sitting on top of it.

Value Against the Rating Gap

Priced similarly to the Schlage Encode despite a lower average rating, the Assure Lock 2's value case rests almost entirely on ecosystem fit rather than price or raw hardware quality. For a buyer with no existing Yale, August or Apple Home Keys investment, that math doesn't favor the Assure Lock 2 over the Schlage Encode at a similar price with a stronger rating. For a buyer already committed to that ecosystem, the modular connectivity and DoorSense features deliver real value that a rating number alone doesn't capture. Being honest about that tradeoff, rather than smoothing over the rating gap, is the point of this review. No affiliate commission ever changes that verdict — see how we rank for the full method behind it.

Who It’s For

Buyers already standardizing on the Yale or August ecosystem, or specifically wanting Apple Home Key support on an Assure Lock 2 Plus variant, where ecosystem fit outweighs the rating gap. Yale’s add-on smart modules also suit a buyer who may want to change connectivity later on a compatible model, though the Z-Wave Plus module doesn’t fit the Touch or Plus versions.

Who Should Skip It

If you have no existing Yale/August investment, the Schlage Encode carries a meaningfully higher rating at a similar price point.

Pros and Cons

Pros: DoorSense auto-lock confirmation, built-in WiFi, fingerprint entry on Touch versions, ANSI/BHMA Grade 2, Yale/August ecosystem and Apple Home Key compatibility on Plus variants.

Cons: lower rating than category leaders, some reported WiFi connectivity issues, price high relative to its rating.

Going Deeper: WiFi, Bluetooth or Z-Wave: Why the Radio Matters

Each connection option uses a different radio with different strengths. The Z-Wave Alliance says classic Z-Wave uses 908.42/916MHz in the US, works as a mesh in which signals hop from node to node until they reach their destination, and supports up to 232 nodes. Bluetooth, by contrast, uses the 2.4GHz band, and the Bluetooth SIG notes that lower frequencies generally give longer range, traded off against data rate. That is part of why a hub-based mesh suits a whole-home system, while Bluetooth is best at close range.

Yale’s module system lets some owners change radios later. Yale says its Z-Wave Plus Smart Module adds an Assure Lock 2 (YRD450, 430, 420 or 410) to compatible Z-Wave systems such as Ring or SmartThings, enabling remote locking and unlocking, access sharing and access history through the smart-home provider’s app, and working with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant through a compatible hub. Yale is explicit that the module is not compatible with the Assure Lock 2 Plus (YRD450-N) or the Assure Lock 2 Touch (YRD420/450-F).

That compatibility line matters because the Touch is the version with the fingerprint reader. Yale’s own overview lists Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave and Matter across different lock models, with Bluetooth standard and Wi-Fi enabling remote access. The practical order of decisions is therefore: choose the entry method first, since fingerprint means a Touch model, and then the radio that model supports. Choosing a radio first and assuming a module can always be added later is how buyers end up with a lock that cannot join their system.

Verdict

A legitimate smart deadbolt, honestly rated below the category leader — the right buy specifically for Yale/August ecosystem fit, not as a first choice on rating alone. See best smart deadbolt for the full comparison against the field.