We’re constantly improving our products in order to best serve ever-evolving consumer needs and behavior. Frequent updates ensure our products get better over time (without you having to buy new hardware!) and seamlessly fit into how people interact with tech in their daily lives. For example, the average smartphone user unlocks their phone 150 times a day – often quickly and securely through a fingerprint or face scan. What if we made unlocking your home as simple and secure as unlocking your phone?
Today, we’re pleased to roll out a new feature on the August and Yale Access apps that allows users to set up biometric verification for any remote unlock / lock operation for all August Smart Locks and Yale Assure Locks and Levers with Wi-Fi. When the “Secure Remote Access” feature is turned on, the app will use your phone’s built-in authentication tools to prompt fingerprint or facial recognition before you can unlock or lock your home remotely (note: if your phone does not have these features, it will prompt you to use your PIN code). This further ensures that your door is only operated by the right people at the time you intend for it.
The feature currently only applies to operations done via Wi-Fi or mobile data (not Bluetooth), so it requires that you have an August Wi-Fi Smart Lock or a Connect Wi-Fi Bridge (alongside a compatible August or Yale Lock/Lever). You’ll be able to opt in to this security feature, and it will not be enacted when checking your lock status in order to preserve a seamless app experience.
Alongside this new biometric verification feature, we’re also rolling out a “Hide Entry Codes” feature that will give you the option to hide keypad entry codes within the app. Once enabled, you will only be able to view codes after passing phone authentication. This feature is another step to provide you with further peace of mind around your August and Yale smart locks.
The new app features are available now on iOS and Android, joining our other existing privacy features including two-factor authentication, two-layer encryption, and lost-phone disablement. Update your August or Yale Access app today. For more information, visit the support on pages on August.com or Yale.com.
Source: August