Best answer: No. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock has everything built inside and can connect to the Internet without a Connect Bridge. If you have an August Smart Lock or a Smart Lock Pro (Generation 1, 2, or 3), your smart lock will function locally via Bluetooth connection without a Connect Bridge.
- Works with your existing deadbolt: ($250 at Amazon)
- A total replacement: ($180 at Amazon)
August's latest smart lock, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th gen), is the first smart lock from the company that doesn't require the August Connect Bridge to provide Internet connectivity. Instead, August was able to build that Wi-Fi chip right inside the lock, while at the same time reducing the size by 45%. That means, out of the box, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock not only turns your existing deadbolt into a smart lock, but it also does this without the need for another device to be plugged in.
The August Smart Lock Pro (Gen 1-3) and the August Smart Lock use a technology called Z-Wave to communicate locally with the August Connect Bridge. This allows multiple devices to connect to a single access point, which then talks to any smart device or service you also have connected with it. That includes virtual assistants like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, as well as popular smart services like IFTTT.
These older smart locks are still usable without an August Connect Bridge, but will only communicate with your phone when it's within Bluetooth range (30ft or less). Without an August Connect Bridge, these older smart locks cannot connect to the Internet and cannot be controlled remotely. They also will not deliver notifications or detailed historical data without the August Connect Bridge.
Simplest, yet the best
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock isn't just easy to install and use; it's also the best smart lock you can buy. What makes it so easy? For starters, you won't even need to remove your existing deadbolt in order to use it. In less than 10 minutes, you can get the August Wi-Fi Smart lock installed over top of your existing deadbolt and get the convenience of auto-locking when you leave the house, and auto unlocking when you pull up into your driveway.
On top of that, August offers handy features like guest keys, so you can let your out-of-town friends or family in while you're at work, or even have FedEx drop your package off in your home instead of waiting for a package thief to steal it. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock also knows when your door has been opened, not just unlocked. That means you can have total peace of mind while away from home knowing that your smart lock isn't just locked, but that the door is shut and locked.
Our pick
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
Simple as it gets
The August Wi-Fi Smart lock lets you keep your existing deadbolt, adds lots of really smart features and, yet, has Wi-Fi connectivity built right in.