Why Won't My August Smart Lock Auto Unlock When I Get Home
- Aggressive battery optimization killing the app
- Location downgraded from Always/Precise after an update
- Bluetooth toggling / power saving
Problem Description
Your August auto-unlock stopped working. August blames phone settings but the real issue is usually GPS geofencing accuracy Bluetooth timing or background permissions your phone revoked after an OS update.
Why This Happens in Real Homes
August genuinely does depend on phone settings for Auto-Unlock, and the reason it "stops" is usually the phone quietly changing them — an OS update downgrading location from Always to While-Using, or a battery optimizer killing the app in the background. The lock can only unlock on arrival if the app is alive and allowed to track location.
Re-check the August app after any phone update: location set to Always and Precise, exempt from battery optimization, background refresh on, and Bluetooth left on without power-saving toggling it. Confirm DoorSense is set up and your geofence and home address are correct. Restoring those phone permissions is what brings Auto-Unlock back, which is why August points there first.
Symptoms
- No auto-unlock on getting home
- Blamed on phone settings
- Manual unlock every time
- Worked before, stopped
- Only with the app open
- Late or missed unlocks
- Inconsistent across days
- Fails after phone changes
Recognize these? Here's what usually causes it.
Common Causes
- Aggressive battery optimization killing the app
- Location downgraded from Always/Precise after an update
- Bluetooth toggling / power saving
- Geofence too small
- DoorSense not set up
- Lock/bridge offline
- Low-power mode on the phone
- VPN/location-services quirks
Most fixes happen in the first 3 steps.
Always-allow location means August tracks your location continuously using additional battery. Consider using auto-unlock on one household phone only.
Tools & Requirements
These tools will help you complete this fix.
Door alignment tool
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Replacement batteries
Duracell Coppertop Double AA Batteries with Power Bo...
Screwdriver
STREBITO 155 in 1 Electric Screwdriver Set, Small El...
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Step-by-Step Solution
Fix Location Permissions
On iPhone go to Settings then Privacy then Location Services then August and select Always. On Android go to Apps then August then Permissions then Location and select Allow All The Time. OS updates downgrade this to While Using breaking auto-unlock.
Disable Battery Optimization
On Android go to Battery then Battery Optimization then August and select Don't Optimize. On iPhone enable Background App Refresh for August. Samsung check Device Care then Battery then Background Usage Limits.
Check Bluetooth
Auto-unlock uses Bluetooth to confirm you are at the door. Make sure Bluetooth is always on. On iPhone check Settings then August then Bluetooth enabled. Some Android phones restrict background Bluetooth scanning.
Needed for this step
Door Latch Strike Plate, Stainless Steel Door L...
This helps complete the fix you are currently reading.
$7.49Recalibrate Geofence
In August app go to Lock Settings then Auto-Unlock then tap home address. Delete and re-add location. Walk 200 feet away then back to test. Geofence needs clear exit and re-entry to trigger.
Reinstall App
Delete and reinstall August app. Log in and set up auto-unlock fresh. Corrupted geofence data from months of use causes persistent failures no settings change fixes.
Quick Solutions
Still having issues? This is usually the deeper cause below.
If the keypad rejects valid codes, a lockout timer may be running — five failed entries locks most keypads silently for 5–10 minutes.
Auto-unlock triggers once per departure-return cycle. Walking to mailbox may not trigger it because you never left the 200-meter geofence.
Most smart lock failures people label as hardware issues turn out to be a code wiped during a sync, or a setting reset nobody remembers triggering.
- Aggressive battery optimization killing the app
- Location downgraded from Always/Precise after an update
- Bluetooth toggling / power saving
- Geofence too small
- DoorSense not set up
Before you go — try one of these (they fix most cases).
Most popular upgrades chosen by August Smart Lock owners.
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Official Manufacturer Manual
August Home provides official product documentation through their online manual rather than downloadable PDF. Access setup guides, troubleshooting steps, and product specifications for your August Smart Lock.
Source: august.com
Need More Help? August Home Support
Note: The contact information below connects you directly to August Home's official customer support team, not Trunetto. They can help with warranty claims, device replacements, and advanced technical issues.
How Does August Home Compare?
Before replacing your August Home device, see how it stacks up against alternatives in our full comparison guides.
