Schlage Encode Plus Review: The Best Smart Lock for iPhone Users?
Quick Verdict: The Schlage Encode Plus is the best smart lock you can buy for Apple Home users in 2025. Native Apple Home Key support, built-in Wi-Fi, BHMA Grade 1 security, and up to 100 access codes make it the most complete smart lock on the market — if you can justify the $280 price tag.
Why We Reviewed the Schlage Encode Plus
Schlage has been making locks since 1920 — over 100 years of lock-making expertise. The Encode Plus represents the pinnacle of their residential smart lock lineup, adding Apple Home Key to an already excellent smart lock. When Apple announced Home Key support in 2022, the Schlage Encode Plus became the de facto choice for anyone deep in the Apple ecosystem.
In this review, we’ll cover everything: the Apple Home Key experience, build quality, Wi-Fi setup, access code management, battery life, and whether the $280 premium is worth it over cheaper alternatives.
Who Is the Schlage Encode Plus For?
- iPhone and Apple Watch users who want tap-to-unlock convenience
- Homeowners who want the most secure residential smart lock available
- Apple Home / HomeKit users building a smart home around Apple’s ecosystem
- Airbnb hosts who need easy temporary access code management
- Anyone replacing a deadbolt who wants a long-term, durable solution
It is not ideal for Android users (the Google Home experience is significantly less smooth), renters (expensive investment for a rented property), or anyone looking for a budget option.
Key Specs
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Built-in Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) — no hub needed |
| Apple Home Key | Yes — tap iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock |
| Security Rating | BHMA Grade 1 (highest residential rating) |
| Access Codes | Up to 100 unique codes |
| Smart Platforms | Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home |
| Battery | 4x AA batteries (~6 months) |
| Low Battery Alert | Yes (app notification + audible beep) |
| Auto-Lock | Yes, configurable 30 sec – 4 min |
| Backup Entry | Physical key included |
| Finish Options | Satin Nickel, Matte Black, Aged Bronze |
| Price | ~$280 |
Apple Home Key: The Feature That Changes Everything
Apple Home Key is the standout feature of the Encode Plus, and once you’ve used it, going back to fumbling for your phone or entering a code feels archaic.
Here’s how it works: your iPhone or Apple Watch contains a digital key stored in your Wallet app. When you approach your door, you simply tap your device to the lock’s NFC reader — it unlocks instantly, in about half a second. No app to open. No code to remember. Just tap and go.
The technology works even when your iPhone is low on battery (it uses a reserve charge), and on iPhone 15+ models, it works even when the phone is completely dead. The NFC reader is fast and reliable — we’ve never encountered a situation where it didn’t respond on the first tap.
You can also share digital keys with family members or guests directly from the Apple Home app, with optional expiration dates — perfect for housekeepers, pet sitters, or short-term guests.
Build Quality: This Is What $280 Feels Like
Pick up the Schlage Encode Plus and you’ll immediately understand why it costs what it does. It’s heavy, solid, and built from real metal — not the hollow-feeling plastic you get from budget smart locks. The deadbolt extends smoothly. The keypad has a satisfying tactile feel. Every interaction with this lock communicates quality.
The BHMA Grade 1 certification is the highest achievable rating for residential locks. It means the lock has passed rigorous testing for:
- 250,000 cycle operation test (open/close cycles)
- Withstands 10 strikes from a 75 lb weight
- Resistance to picking, drilling, and forced entry
- Corrosion resistance testing
For comparison, most smart locks from Ring, Kwikset, and August are BHMA Grade 2 or Grade 3. The Encode Plus is in a different class of physical security.
Installation
The Schlage Encode Plus replaces your existing deadbolt and fits standard door prep (2-3/8″ or 2-3/4″ backset). Installation takes 20-30 minutes with a screwdriver. No special tools required.
The included installation guide is clear and well-illustrated. Schlage also has setup videos on their website. Once installed, the Wi-Fi setup and Apple Home pairing is straightforward — scan the HomeKit QR code on the lock body, and it appears in your Apple Home app within seconds.
Access Code Management
The Encode Plus supports up to 100 unique access codes, which you manage through the Schlage Home app or Apple Home. You can:
- Create codes with custom names (e.g., “Cleaning Service”, “Mom”, “Guest #1”)
- Set schedules — codes that only work on specific days/times
- Set expiration dates for temporary codes
- Receive notifications when specific codes are used
- Disable individual codes without deleting them
This is invaluable for Airbnb hosts and anyone who needs to manage multiple people accessing their home. The scheduling feature alone is worth the upgrade from a basic smart lock.
App Experience
The Schlage Home app is clean, intuitive, and reliable. Lock/unlock status is accurate and updates quickly. Activity logs show exactly who entered and when, with timestamps and code names.
For Apple Home users, the lock integrates seamlessly into Apple’s Home app — you can lock/unlock from the Home app, create automations (e.g., auto-lock when you leave home), and use Siri commands. The Apple Home experience is genuinely superior to using the Schlage app directly.
Battery Life
The Encode Plus runs on 4 AA batteries and Schlage estimates 6 months of typical use. In practice, Wi-Fi connectivity drains batteries slightly faster than Bluetooth-only locks — we’ve seen reports of 4-5 months from heavy users. Schlage sends low battery notifications via the app well in advance, so you won’t get locked out unexpectedly.
There’s also a physical 9V battery terminal on the bottom of the lock for emergency power if batteries die completely.
Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Apple Home Key (tap to unlock) | Expensive at ~$280 |
| BHMA Grade 1 security | Android/Google experience is inferior |
| Built-in Wi-Fi (no hub needed) | Deadbolt only (handle sold separately) |
| Up to 100 access codes with schedules | Slightly larger/heavier than some competitors |
| Auto-lock with configurable timer | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only (no 5GHz) |
| Alexa + Google Home compatible | App can be slow to sync occasionally |
| Long track record of reliability |
Schlage Encode Plus vs Competitors
| Lock | Price | Home Key | Hub Needed | Security Grade | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode Plus | ~$280 | ✅ | No | Grade 1 | iPhone users, max security |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 | ~$200 | ✅ | No (Wi-Fi model) | Grade 2 | Home Key on a budget |
| Schlage Encode (non-Plus) | ~$200 | ❌ | No | Grade 1 | Non-Apple users |
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock | ~$150 | ❌ | No | Grade 2 | Keeps existing deadbolt |
| Kwikset Halo Touch | ~$130 | ❌ | No | Grade 2 | Fingerprint entry |
Schlage Encode Plus vs Yale Assure Lock 2
The Yale Assure Lock 2 is the most direct competitor — it also supports Apple Home Key at a lower price (~$200). The key differences:
- Security: Schlage Grade 1 vs Yale Grade 2 — Schlage wins
- Price: Yale saves you ~$80
- Build quality: Schlage feels noticeably more premium
- Design: Yale has a more minimalist, modern look
If security and build quality are paramount, Schlage is worth the premium. If you want Home Key on a tighter budget and prefer a sleeker aesthetic, Yale is a solid choice.
Common Questions
Does Schlage Encode Plus work with Android?
Yes, but without Home Key. Android users access the lock via the Schlage Home app, Alexa, or Google Home. The experience is functional but lacks the tap-to-unlock convenience of Home Key. If you’re an Android user, consider the Schlage Encode (non-Plus) and save $80.
Do I need a hub or bridge?
No hub required. The Encode Plus has built-in Wi-Fi and connects directly to your router. For remote access via Apple Home, you need a home hub — an Apple TV, HomePod, or iPad set to “Home Hub” mode (any of these work and you likely already own one).
Is Schlage Encode Plus secure from hacking?
Schlage uses 128-bit AES encryption for all communication. Apple Home Key uses secure element technology — the same technology used for Apple Pay — making it extremely difficult to intercept or clone. The physical security (Grade 1) means brute force entry is also significantly harder than cheaper locks.
What happens if the Wi-Fi goes down?
You can still use the keypad, physical key, and Apple Home Key (Home Key uses NFC and works without internet). You’ll lose remote access and real-time notifications until connectivity is restored, but local entry is unaffected.
Final Verdict
The Schlage Encode Plus is the best smart lock money can buy for Apple users. Apple Home Key is genuinely transformative — tapping your phone to unlock your door in half a second is the kind of feature that sounds like a gimmick until you actually use it daily. Combined with BHMA Grade 1 security, rock-solid build quality, and exceptional access code management, this is the smart lock we’d install in our own homes.
Is $280 a lot? Yes. But you’re buying a front door lock — the primary barrier between your family and the outside world. This isn’t the place to cut corners.
If the price is a dealbreaker, the Yale Assure Lock 2 offers Apple Home Key at ~$200. For Android users or those who don’t need Home Key, the Schlage Encode (non-Plus) at ~$200 gives you the same Grade 1 security without the Apple features.
Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐¾ (4.7/5)
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