Best Smart Locks for Renters: Keyless Entry Without Replacing Your Deadbolt

Updated August 2026

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If you rent, replacing the entire deadbolt usually isn't the smartest place to start.

A better option is a retrofit smart lock. Instead of replacing the lock on the outside of the door, these devices attach to the existing deadbolt from the inside. The original exterior hardware stays in place, and the existing key still works.

That makes them a much better fit for apartments and rental homes where permanent changes may not be allowed.

For most renters with a standard single-cylinder deadbolt, our top pick is the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock.

It keeps the original exterior lock, has Wi-Fi built in for remote access and can be removed when you move. The Yale Approach is a strong alternative if you prefer Yale's ecosystem or want DoorSense. The SwitchBot Lock Pro is worth considering if price or unusual lock hardware is the bigger concern.

Before choosing any of them, look at the lock that's already on your door.

That matters more than the feature list.

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the easiest recommendation for a typical apartment door.

It replaces the thumbturn on the inside while leaving the keyed portion of the deadbolt untouched. From the hallway, nothing changes. The landlord's original key still works.

That's exactly what makes it useful for renters.

The current August model also has Wi-Fi built in, so you don't need a separate bridge for remote access. From the August app, you can lock or unlock the door, check its status and give temporary access to guests.

It also supports Auto-Lock, Auto-Unlock and DoorSense.

Installation is designed around the hardware that's already there rather than new holes in the door. When you move, you can reinstall the original interior thumbturn.

The catch is compatibility.

August is intended for most standard single-cylinder deadbolts. If your apartment uses a mortise lock, double-cylinder deadbolt or commercial-style hardware, it may not fit.

For a normal residential deadbolt, though, this is where we'd start.

The Yale Approach takes a similar approach to August.

It installs on the inside of the door and leaves the exterior deadbolt and existing key in place.

The biggest difference is connectivity.

Wi-Fi isn't built directly into the Approach. Remote access uses Yale's Connect bridge, which means you'll have one extra device plugged in near the door.

In return, you get access through the Yale app along with features such as Auto-Lock and DoorSense.

DoorSense is useful because it can tell whether the door itself is open or closed instead of simply reporting whether the deadbolt moved.

That matters if you want to know whether the door actually shut behind you.

Like August, Yale Approach is meant for standard single-cylinder deadbolts and won't fit every apartment door.

If you already prefer Yale products or want DoorSense, it's a very solid alternative.

The SwitchBot Lock Pro has a lower starting price than August or Yale and takes a slightly different approach to compatibility.

Rather than replacing the entire interior section of the deadbolt, it operates the existing locking mechanism from inside the apartment. The exterior lock and physical key remain usable.

SwitchBot is particularly interesting if your door hardware doesn't fit the more straightforward August or Yale requirements. It supports a broader range of lock types, although some installations may need adapters.

The lower price comes with a catch.

On its own, Lock Pro relies on Bluetooth for nearby control. If you want to lock or unlock the door remotely when you're away, you'll need a compatible SwitchBot Hub.

A keypad is another separate purchase.

Once you add both, the price gap starts to shrink.

Still, if you want to start with the lock itself and add features later, SwitchBot gives you that flexibility.

Retrofit locks solve the installation problem, but they create another question:

How do you get in without pulling out your phone?

A keypad is the easiest answer.

Pairing an August Wi-Fi Smart Lock with a compatible keypad gives you code entry while preserving the original deadbolt and key.

That's useful for families, roommates, dog walkers or anyone who doesn't want their phone to become their only way through the door.

Some keypad mounts can be installed with adhesive rather than screws, which is a better fit for a rental.

Better does not mean risk-free.

Adhesive can still damage paint or leave residue, and the hallway outside your apartment may be considered common property. Check before sticking anything beside the door.

Forget fingerprint readers, voice assistants and the number of integrations for a minute.

For renters, three things matter first.

A good retrofit lock leaves the keyed side of the deadbolt alone.

That means you're not replacing the lock the property owner installed.

The locks we've recommended here preserve the existing exterior key on compatible installations.

That's important because you're adding smart access without taking away the original way into the property.

Keep every screw, plate and piece of hardware you remove.

Put it all in a labeled bag and keep it somewhere you'll remember.

When you move out, you want to be able to return the door to the condition you found it in without hunting through three junk drawers for a missing screw.

A lock can be renter-friendly without being permitted by your lease.

Those are two separate questions.

Some leases specifically address locks, door hardware or alterations. Apartment buildings may also have their own rules, particularly if the door is part of a larger security or access-control system.

If your lease clearly says you can't alter the lock hardware, don't install one.

If the language is unclear, ask the landlord or property manager before making changes.

Be specific about what you're proposing. An interior retrofit that leaves the exterior deadbolt and original key intact is very different from removing the lock and replacing it with your own.

With the retrofit locks covered here, yes, assuming the lock is installed on compatible hardware.

The original exterior cylinder stays in place, so the existing key continues to operate the deadbolt.

That doesn't change the rules governing when a landlord may enter the property. Those rights come from your lease and local law, not the smart lock.

From a hardware standpoint, though, you aren't locking out someone who already has the original key.

Usually not for the lock itself.

August, Yale Approach and SwitchBot are designed to work with existing hardware rather than requiring a new hole through a standard compatible door.

External keypads are different.

Some can be mounted with adhesive instead of screws, but even adhesive can damage certain surfaces.

If the outside wall, trim or door frame isn't yours, check before attaching anything.

This is where a lot of renters get tripped up.

Many apartment buildings use mortise or commercial-style locks rather than the standard deadbolts found on single-family homes.

August and Yale Approach generally aren't designed for those setups.

SwitchBot Lock Pro may work with a wider range of hardware, including some less common lock styles, but you need to confirm the exact configuration before buying.

If you're not sure what you have, take clear photos of both sides of the door and compare them with the manufacturer's compatibility guide.

It's much easier than ordering a lock, opening the box and discovering your door has other plans.

We'd skip it if:

A smart lock should make renting more convenient.

It shouldn't become a move-out expense.

For a standard single-cylinder deadbolt, we'd choose the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock.

It leaves the outside of the door alone, keeps the original key working and doesn't require a separate Wi-Fi bridge for remote access.

Choose the Yale Approach if you prefer Yale's app or want DoorSense.

Choose the SwitchBot Lock Pro if you're trying to spend less up front or your door doesn't fit the usual August and Yale compatibility rules.

And if you want to enter a code instead of using your phone, add a keypad only after you've confirmed where you're allowed to mount it.

The first step isn't choosing a smart lock.

It's figuring out exactly what kind of lock you already have.

For most renters with a standard single-cylinder deadbolt, we recommend the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock because it preserves the exterior lock and original key while adding built-in Wi-Fi.

Possibly. Retrofit locks make fewer permanent changes than full replacement locks, but your lease or building rules may still restrict modifications to the door or lock hardware.

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Yale Approach and SwitchBot Lock Pro all preserve the existing exterior key on compatible installations.

No. Wi-Fi is built into the current August Wi-Fi Smart Lock.

Yes. Remote access uses Yale's Connect bridge.

Not for nearby Bluetooth use. A compatible SwitchBot Hub is needed for remote internet access.

August and Yale Approach generally do not. SwitchBot Lock Pro supports a wider range of hardware, but compatibility depends on the exact lock and installation.

For renters, we care less about who has the longest feature list and more about whether the lock makes sense on a door you don't own.

We prioritized:

Product compatibility and manufacturer information were checked in August 2026.

The best renter smart lock is the one that gives you the convenience you want without creating a problem with the property you eventually have to hand back.