Skip to main content

August smart locks open new doors for Airbnb hosts and guests

August Smart Lock Third Generation review door ajar
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Leaving a key for your Airbnb guest will soon be a practice of the past, as long as you have an August smart lock installed. On Tuesday, June 26, the smart home company announced additional features in their partnership with Airbnb that promises to simplify rental access for hosts and guests alike. Now, anytime a vacationer makes a reservation in an August Smart Lock and August Smart Keypad-equipped home, August will auto-generate a customized entry code for the booking time and date. That means that hosts will no longer have to wait around for their guests to arrive, or hide keys in clever spaces. Instead, their smart lock will do all the heavy lifting for them.

“Our Smart Locks are the perfect complement to any Airbnb rental, giving hosts complete control over guest access and the freedom to manage their property from anywhere,” August Home CEO Jason Johnson said. “By expanding our Airbnb integration to include the August Smart Keypad, we’re making it simpler for guests to enter and exit a property by simply entering a security code. This makes Airbnb rentals more secure by removing the need for physical keys, which can be lost or copied.”

The collaboration between Airbnb and August will give hosts three options for providing access to their property. They can have their August lock generate a PIN code for an August Smart Keypad with one-touch locking, or give their guests mobile phone access via the August app, or for maximum convenience (for the guest), give them both the code and app access. Guests will be able to come and go as they please, without cramping their hosts’ style.

August has been a member of the Airbnb Host Assist program for a while now, which means that providing keyless access to Airbnb properties is quite straightforward. Hosts will need to link their Airbnb account and August account within the August app to begin the syncing process. For hosts who already have an August Smart Lock installed, enabling Smart Keypad access is as easy as updating their August/Airbnb settings in the app.

Then, when a guest makes a reservation, they’ll receive an email with instructions on how to access the property based on the method(s) selected by the host. Any changes to the reservation (whether it’s a different time, day, or an outright cancellation) will automatically change permissions within the August Smart Lock. And when the reservation ends, so too does guest access to the property.

Editors' Recommendations

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
New Yale Assure Lock 2 models get fingerprint scanner, support for Apple Home keys
A person opening the Yale Assure Lock 2 with their Apple Watch.

The Yale Assure Lock 2 was already one of the best smart locks of 2023, thanks to its versatile smartphone app and a bevy of unique designs -- including a keyless model and vibrant Magenta color. Today, Yale is expanding the lineup by introducing the Assure Lock 2 Plus and Assure Lock 2 Touch, both of which bring new capabilities to a smart lock already loaded with premium features.

If you own an iPhone or Apple Watch, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus is a most compelling new product. Offering support for Apple Home keys, you can now unlock your front door by simply tapping your iOS device on the Assure Lock 2 Plus.

Read more
Leviton’s new outdoor smart plug is the first with Matter support
The Leviton Outdoor Smart Plug plugged into an outlet in front of red siding.

The Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug-In Switch is the latest product to offer Matter support. In fact, it’s also the first and only Matter-enabled outdoor smart plug on the market. It's a bit expensive at $55, but seeing as it’s the only member of its class right now, it might be worth the price tag.

Aside from Matter support, Leviton packed the Decora Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug-In Switch with premium features. This includes extreme weather protection, an IP65 rating for waterproofing, a built-in light sensor that can automatically turn the unit on or off, and support for the Leviton smartphone app.

Read more
This $4,000 smart door comes packing a Ring video doorbell and Yale smart lock
The Masonite Smart Door installed on a home.

Smart home gadgets span a wide range of categories. From video doorbells and robot vacuums to outdoor cameras and smart speakers, smart gadgets can be found in all corners of the modern home. Now, thanks to Home Depot, you can now snag the first residential smart door -- and it features a built-in Yale smart lock and Ring video doorbell.

Before you rush out to your local Home Depot, it’s worth noting that this futuristic smart door comes with a hefty price tag of $4,000. Multiple styles are available, including two different sizes and additional sidelites, and depending on your configuration, its price can balloon to an eye-watering $7,000.

Read more