Lock manufacturer Yale at CES 2017 this week announced that its lineup of Real Living Assure smart locks will be compatible with HomeKit by the end of March. By then, new Assure locks will be sold with a HomeKit module, which will also be available to purchase separately to add to existing Assure locks.

yale-smart-locks
HomeKit support will enable users to lock and unlock their homes by using Apple's new Home app on iOS 10 or the free Yale Assure companion app (U.S. and Canada only) for iPhone and iPad. Homeowners can also use Siri voice commands such as "Hey Siri, lock the front door" and "Hey Siri, is my front door locked?"

Users are also able to check a lock's battery and current lock status, create up to 12 unique pin codes, customize lock and notification settings, name a lock, and add a new lock through the Yale Assure app. Users with a third-generation Apple TV or later can control HomeKit accessories in the Home app while away from home.


The deadbolt locks feature a backlit capacitive touchscreen keypad for keyless entry. If a smartphone is unavailable, users can enter a unique 4-8 digit pin code to enter the home. The Bluetooth-enabled lock is powered by four AA batteries included, or users can touch a 9V battery to the battery terminals at the bottom as a backup option.

Yale said the HomeKit module will also be compatible with its recently launched nexTouch Wireless smart lock targeted at small business owners. The new HomeKit-enabled smart locks and standalone HomeKit module are expected to be available for purchase on Yale's website at some point in March. Pricing was not disclosed.

The non-HomeKit Real Living Assure locks retail for $199.99 on Yale's website in polished brass, satin nickel, and dark gray colors. ZigBee and Z-Wave modules are also available for $50 each. Here's an installation video.

Other HomeKit-enabled smart locks include the Schlage Sense and August Smart Lock.

Top Rated Comments

avanpelt Avatar
106 months ago
If someone wants to get into a home badly enough, they'll just shatter a window, break the door down, or destroy the deadbolt. These "smart" locks are all about convenience, nothing more.

A few years ago, I was locked out of my home in the middle of the night and, unfortunately, I had to call one of those fly-by-night locksmiths because none of the reputable companies in my area were answering their phones at midnight.

The guy who showed up looked like he could've just gotten out from doing 5 to 10 for breaking and entering. He had the deadbolt drilled out and my back door open in less than three minutes.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
44267547 Avatar
106 months ago
I've been using the Schlage Sense with HomeKit for almost a year. It was spotty at first, but after many firmware iterations and iOS releases, it's pretty good now, connected thru Bluetooth. Just that the remote Homekit via Apple TV is still slow.

You'll get notification for unlocks. And when pin is entered manually, you can check in history the name that you assigned the pin for. Another thing is it's ANSI grade 1.
Personally, my preference has been with Schlage. They continue to improve all the time and I like idea of the Pin access.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Deelron Avatar
106 months ago
Honest question- how secure is it? To be the best when even the best isn't that good wouldn't make any lock that desirable.
If I recall there was an article a while ago covering that subject, and that Apple's instance on over security was hindering adoption.

Also they're all more secure then a brick through a window.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2010mini Avatar
106 months ago
Alexa why don't you work when I am not in the room?
Got to admit.. I actually laughed out loud at this post
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cue003 Avatar
106 months ago
The big question here will be if you can get alerts/notifications based on the pin used vs just the door was unlocked. It says you can create 12 pins and I would like to create a pin and assign to say the cleaning crew, the in laws, the kids etc and I want to get alerted to WHO is entering based on the name assigned to the pin.

I already have multiple of the zwave Yale locks that can already accomplish the above mentioned notification but it required having a separate controller and some configurations etc etc. however if the HomeKit lock can do what I mentioned above (and I can get rid of the zwave bridge) I will switch over immediately when they become available. If not, the. I say this is a FAIL! Smart Lock should provide smart notifications.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
106 months ago
Apple has actually put a lot of effort into security for HomeKit, much more so than most of the other protocols related to Internet-of-Things devices, and I'm very happy I can tell Siri to turn various lights on and off, but it's gonna be another decade or so before I put much trust in electronic home door locks (bad guys being able to make my lights blink doesn't worry me too much). I recall seeing a number of such locks previously released that had pretty serious failings. We need a few more cycles of real world deployment of "new improved" models, followed by flaws being uncovered...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Will Include These New Features for Your iPhone

Wednesday February 5, 2025 7:15 am PST by
iOS 18.3 was released last month, so the first iOS 18.4 beta should be coming soon. iOS 18.4 is expected to be a more substantial update for the iPhone, with several new features and changes related to Apple Intelligence and beyond. Apple's website suggests that iOS 18.4 will be released in April, following beta testing. Below, we outline what to expect from the update so far. Apple...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive an All-New Perk

Thursday February 6, 2025 11:21 am PST by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, Apple has a new perk for you, at no additional cost. iCloud+ is the official name for Apple's paid iCloud storage plans, which range from 50GB for $0.99 per month to 12TB for $59.99 per month in the United States. iCloud+ plans already come with multiple perks for free, such as Hide My Email and HomeKit Secure Video, and now there is another one...
maxresdefault

An Apple TV Refresh is Coming in 2025 - Here's What You Should Know

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:17 am PST by
Apple hasn't refreshed the Apple TV since 2022, but rumors suggest that we're finally going to get an update in 2025. We don't have a full picture of what to expect yet, but we have some hints on what's coming. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Updated A-Series Chip The current Apple TV 4K uses the A15 Bionic chip that was in the iPhone 13 lineup, and it's time for...
iPhone SE 4 Single Camera Thumb

iPhone SE 4 Launching as Soon as Next Week

Thursday February 6, 2025 3:30 pm PST by
Apple's next-generation iPhone SE could debut as soon as next week with a launch to follow later in February, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple isn't expected to hold an event for the iPhone SE 4, and will instead unveil the device through a press release. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to have an iPhone 14-style design, with Apple eliminating the thick bezels and Touch ID Home button of...
iOS 18

iOS 18.3.1 Update Coming Soon for iPhones

Thursday February 6, 2025 7:31 am PST by
Apple is internally testing iOS 18.3.1 for iPhones, according to our website's analytics logs, which have been a consistently reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions. The software update should be released within the next few weeks. iOS 18.3.1 should be a minor update that addresses software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. Apple Intelligence notification summaries for news and...
iCloud General Feature Redux

Apple Ordered by UK to Create Global iCloud Encryption Backdoor

Friday February 7, 2025 2:37 am PST by
The British government has secretly demanded that Apple give it blanket access to all encrypted user content uploaded to the cloud, reports The Washington Post. The undisclosed order is said to have been issued last month, and requires that Apple creates a back door that allows UK security officials unencumbered access to encrypted user data worldwide – an unprecedented demand not before...
disney

Disney+ Loses 700,000 Subscribers Following Price Increase

Wednesday February 5, 2025 3:34 pm PST by
Disney+ lost 700,000 subscribers worldwide in recent months, according to Disney's earnings results for the first quarter of 2025. Disney said it now has 124.6 million Disney+ subscribers, a decrease of 0.7 million compared to its subscriber numbers in the fourth quarter of 2024. The drop in subscribers comes after Disney+ prices increased in the fall. Disney+ with Ads went from $7.99 to...
Apple Leak Feature

Apple Leaker Issues Apology: 'Profound and Expensive Mistake'

Friday February 7, 2025 9:21 am PST by
Last year, we reported that Apple sued its former software engineer Andrew Aude for providing journalists with confidential information about the company's future plans, including details about the Journal app, Vision Pro headset, and more. As reported by 9to5Mac, the Superior Court of Santa Clara County on Thursday dismissed the lawsuit after Apple and Aude reached an agreement to resolve...