Schlage BE499WB Cam 619 Encode Plus WiFi Deadbolt Smart Lock with Apple Home Key, Keyless Entry Door Lock with Camelot Trim, Satin Nickel

We thought these would be great for apple watch access to our home. I rarely use that function because it's so fussy to work around coats and to line things up just right -- so I usually just key in the access code, which I could be doing on a much cheaper lock. HomeKit app management is useful.The trade-off for the convenience of HomeKit is that these locks go through batteries VERY FAST. Like, just a few days, during a cold Minnesota winter in a detached garage. We beefed up the WiFi signal in the garage, which helped, but we're lucky to get through 2 weeks. We added newly-charged batteries at 4AM (after another break-in), 12 hours later, it's down to 36% (it's not even cold out; 60-degree weather).The app keeps logging me out, so I often don't get any ... MoreWe thought these would be great for apple watch access to our home. I rarely use that function because it's so fussy to work around coats and to line things up just right -- so I usually just key in the access code, which I could be doing on a much cheaper lock. HomeKit app management is useful.The trade-off for the convenience of HomeKit is that these locks go through batteries VERY FAST. Like, just a few days, during a cold Minnesota winter in a detached garage. We beefed up the WiFi signal in the garage, which helped, but we're lucky to get through 2 weeks. We added newly-charged batteries at 4AM (after another break-in), 12 hours later, it's down to 36% (it's not even cold out; 60-degree weather).The app keeps logging me out, so I often don't get any notification of the battery issue. The lock will just be dead one day, my kids will circumnavigate that door, and it'll stay unlocked until I restart the cycle.We've had multiple break-ins due to the dead lock, and have lost many items of great financial and sentimental value. Those losses are my fault because I didn't keep the door locked, yet I resent Schlage for making it absurdly difficult to do that.I'd hoped that a smart lock with homekit access would reduce my worries and make it easier to stay safe and secure. This lock has done the opposite of all of these things.

The reviews won me over and I've had nothing but good experiences with Schlage in the past. I picked these over every other smart lock available at Home Depot or Amazon, and purchased three. I regret that choice.The good: They look great, and the bolt shape is ideal for replacing existing locks where alignment might not be perfect. When used manually using the thumbturn they work very smooth.The bad: Everything else.The first issue was with getting them rekeyed. I purchased three and didn't want to have three keys. Home Depot used to rekey these for free, and the associated told to bring them back when one of the employees trained in doing this was in, or I could take them to any other Home Depot and they'd do the same. That turned out not be be true at all - ... MoreThe reviews won me over and I've had nothing but good experiences with Schlage in the past. I picked these over every other smart lock available at Home Depot or Amazon, and purchased three. I regret that choice.The good: They look great, and the bolt shape is ideal for replacing existing locks where alignment might not be perfect. When used manually using the thumbturn they work very smooth.The bad: Everything else.The first issue was with getting them rekeyed. I purchased three and didn't want to have three keys. Home Depot used to rekey these for free, and the associated told to bring them back when one of the employees trained in doing this was in, or I could take them to any other Home Depot and they'd do the same. That turned out not be be true at all - after a few days and three Home Depots later, I found out they no longer do this for Schlage locks. So now if I want them rekeyed, I have to pay a locksmith.The second issue I found is that using the physical key isn't great. As opposed to purely mechanical Schlage deadbolts, these simply do not work. They are not smooth and require slight jiggling of the key (of the three I purchased, only one works well). The key is mostly a backup on a smart lock, but I was still expecting it to work well. One works so poorly that attempts to use the key are frustrating.The physical installation isn't bad at all and the instructions are pretty clear. I got 2/3 installed with no issue at all. Upon installing the third and inserting the battery pack, I found it didn't work like the others. It errored. The instructions and further web instructions were of no help at all. Schlage has a support page with a form that allows you to request assistance and upload a picture. After doing so I was informed that they would reply in 5-10 business days. So I called the number instead - you get put on hold with no estimate of the wait time. While waiting I researched factory resets and such and while none of the instructions worked for this lock, I did manage to get it reset and operational.Next was connecting them. I downloaded the app and started the process of connecting the first lock. It went pretty smooth except it had poor signal to the router. There's no reason for that - the router is quite powerful, not far away, and on the same floor as the lock. I can open the door and walk outside for 100 feet in the opposite direction of the router and still have very strong signal on my cheap android phone.I moved the router a little closer and adjusted the antennas. The signal was still hit and miss. I managed to set a pin and the phone could control the lock. It seemed like there was hope. However, after connecting to the app, the keypad became non-functional. It doesn't even light up.I wanted to see if I'd have better luck with the next one. It had full signal strength for some reason, and seemed like it was working ok. I got to where it asked me to set a PIN. Then it said 'Failed to set PIN". The app get stuck here - I can try different pins an it always fails. There's no back button. There's nothing to do except close the app. I'll take this opportunity to mention that the app is slow to do anything at all.For 2/3 of these locks I had to bore out the older holes in the door to accommodate the new deadbolt size. That means I'm left with useless locks and can't even put the old locks back in. Purchasing these locks is looking like a huge mistake and expense in time, money, energy, gasoline, and frustration. Everything about the experience from the miscommunication at Home Depot about the locks being rekeyed to the locks themselves fell far below my expectations.

A Smart Deadbolt lock that is easy to install and setup. I updated the original key-type deadbolt with this product and a new Schlage door handle set.The only install issue I came across was the deadbolt latch jammed, as noted in my Schlage's app history. This was not a product issue but a builder's issue. This was due to the door jam's latch plates not being aligned from the original hardware setup. This door's handle latch plate was not set back far enough.This is important, after you install the Smart lock and check to make sure your code works, close the door and use the keypad to lock it. If the door locks, a Blue Check on House icon appears, it's good and you're done. If not, a Red X on the Lock icon appears. If you pull and hold the door closed and use ... MoreA Smart Deadbolt lock that is easy to install and setup. I updated the original key-type deadbolt with this product and a new Schlage door handle set.The only install issue I came across was the deadbolt latch jammed, as noted in my Schlage's app history. This was not a product issue but a builder's issue. This was due to the door jam's latch plates not being aligned from the original hardware setup. This door's handle latch plate was not set back far enough.This is important, after you install the Smart lock and check to make sure your code works, close the door and use the keypad to lock it. If the door locks, a Blue Check on House icon appears, it's good and you're done. If not, a Red X on the Lock icon appears. If you pull and hold the door closed and use the keypad and it locks, it's an alignment issue. The Smart deadbolt should lock on its own. To fix misalignment: I had to fill the door handle's latch plate's jam's screw holes (I used toothpicks and wood glue-dowel) and trimmed the back edge of the plate's recessed area about 1/8", then reset the plate. This made the door close tighter. Repeat the keypad test to verify.I have the Encode version: Check the list of great features on Build.com. The Schlage app is uncomplicated and easy to do or understand.My only wish is that Schlage's door handle's latch could be designed to extend. It engages but not enough IMO. Another builder faux pas. The Smart deadbolt latch is hefty and long enough.I would recommend this product to family and friends.