Home Key Smart Lock with (Almost) Everything: Yale Assure Lock 2 Review!

Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus has (almost) everything: HomeKey integration, allowing unlocking with iPhone or Apple Watch, numeric keypad, and battery backup, but its confusing models make it a tough sell.

⭐️ Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus with Home Key

Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Fingerprint

Yale Wi-Fi Smart Module

USB-C Charging Screwdriver

🏠 Full List of Current Apple Home Devices

📺 Videos Mentioned

Aqara U100 Lock Review

Top 10 HomeKit Automations

Full Smart Home Tour

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:43 Installation
01:24 Design and HomeKit
03:17 Connectivity
05:55 Buying Options
08:13 Conclusion

My Gear:

[myHomeKithome]

Always nice to see another HomeKey lock. I'm not too concerned about its lack of a fingerprint scanner since it, and most other manufacturers, put them in awkward positions that are either not very intuitive or not very ergonomic. Beautiful video as always!

[ethanhuynh]

Great video. Thank you for clarify all the version of this model. I were so confused when I were looking for this lock. I got your video showing me these version.

[ivana]

Had to watch 10 reviews until I found the battery failure feature. Thanks.

[jamadail]

Immediately after reading the title in my mind a voice started "This is the Lockpicking Lawyer and what I have for you today..."

[imtimrich]

Just put this on my new door, , LOVE IT auto open and self lock is great with Wi-Fi

[JamesCunha]

The door sensor I think is essential, although I also have door sensor (aqara), the yale door sensor prevents the lock to auto lock if the door is still open.

[JustinWinchester]

I bought this lock and had nothing but problems. I tried for TWO full days to get Home Key to work with no success. I even exchanged it for a new one, same problem. I’ve worked in IT for over 20 years, and I have tons of HomeKit gear. I talked with Yale and Apple with no lock.

I switched to the Aqara U100 and have it worked right away. Such a better lock with more features, Home Key, keypad, fingerprint, and key.

[MatthewMacknamara]

Thank you for the video. It helped me make the purchase. After installing the YAL2+ it does appear not to have the full implementation of HomeKit as you pointed out in your video. From watching your Aquaria U100 video I can see that there are options for creating access codes for different people. This is also standard HomeKit functionality, yet it is missing on the YAL2+. I do hope that they include this. It would also be great to be able to install the lock natively with HomeKit and not use the Yale app altogether, which as I discovered after buying the lock doesn't work in Australia (we are using a different Yale Home app). I did manage to download a US version of the app on a spare phone, but it is not ideal. I'll keep the YAL2+ as the U100 is too bulky for my door. If anyone does get word of an upgrade to HomeKit it would be good to know!

[Salty_Collector]

Purchased this lock based on your review. Had to change the batteries every week. Owned this lock for 3 weeks and one day it completely died and crapped out on me. Didn’t work at all after troubleshooting it. Complete crap would not recommend. Going with the aqara lock instead. More features and not as expensive.

[travisloafman]

Great review! Very helpful. I'm wondering what the practical benefit of Home Key over fingerprint would be?

[GabrielCarroll]

Great video Stephen! When you are next on the podcast with William will you ask him if he was in Norfolk the other week as I think I saw him, either him or his evil twin! 🤣

[StrifePulse]

For the Aqara U100, if you don’t connect it to an Aqara hub and use it with a Homekit Hub instead, you won’t have to change the batteries so often. Maybe once every 8 months instead.

[TerraMagnus]

I’m looking forward to Matter over Thread smart locks. Better interoperability, longer battery life. Bliss.

[maddetox]

If you have any of the Yale smart locks you can program it to unlock as soon as you get home. When I pull into the garage it unlocks. No need for home key or finger print reader.

[sonicpop]

After recently getting the Touch version with fingerprint sensor I can say it really makes no sense to spend extra money on the Plus version with home key. The fingerprint sensor is super fast and accurate and is the ultimate key. I don't understand why anyone would prefer to use their watch or phone for more money instead of their finger for less. I guess only if you are an iSheep

[japk]

Love your review, what I would like to know is if you already have a Yale Smart lock with a Wi-Fi hub do you really need another one?

[digitaljames]

Which lever are you using? It looks to go really well.

[Meaderf]

Have you had to change the batteries yet on this Yale lock? I just bought the Bluetooth version like you did. Fingers crossed.

[robmat]

Amazing review!!!! You answered all my questions about this lock and the main difference about the other 2 yale aasure lock 2 models. I hope you have a review for the Schlage encode plus, which is the other option I’m thinking since we want apple key in our new smart lock.

[HigherQualityUploads]

Apparently UWB locks will be coming in 2025. I'll be waiting for those. NFC is certainly better than Bluetooth or a pin, but UWB should be amazing for hands free unlocking, especially if I'm bringing in groceries.