Schlage® Smart Lock Compatibility Matrix

The one thing most buyers get wrong

The standard Encode — BE488 deadbolt and BE489 lever — is Wi-Fi only and cannot be added to Apple Home. Not with a hub, not with an adapter, not through the official app. That means no HomeKit, no Home Key, no Siri and no Apple Home automations for the model Schlage sells in the highest volume. People buy it expecting the Encode Plus feature set because the names differ by one word.

If Apple Home matters to you, the Encode Plus (BE499) is the model to buy: Wi-Fi plus Thread, HomeKit, Home Key over NFC, and access-code management from within Apple Home. The Sense (BE479) also supports HomeKit but is Bluetooth-based, so remote access needs the Sense Wi-Fi Adapter.

Connectivity also decides battery life. Thread gives over a year; Wi-Fi gives under three months, because cloud polling is the main drain.

Common questions

Can the Schlage Encode be added to Apple Home?

No. The Encode (BE488 deadbolt, BE489 lever) is Wi-Fi only and cannot be added to Apple Home natively. There is no HomeKit, no Home Key, no Siri control and no Apple Home automations for this model.

Which Schlage lock supports Apple Home Key?

The Encode Plus (BE499). Home Key uses NFC and requires an iPhone XR or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer.

Does the Schlage Sense work with HomeKit?

Partially. The Sense (BE479) is Bluetooth-based and supports HomeKit, but remote access requires the Sense Wi-Fi Adapter.

Which Schlage locks work with the official Apple Watch app?

The Encode deadbolt and Encode lever only — lock, unlock and status. The Watch app does not support Sense or Encode Plus.

Which Schlage lock has the best battery life?

Connectivity decides it. Thread connectivity gives over a year of battery life, while Wi-Fi gives under three months, because cloud polling is the main drain. Of the models here, only the Encode Plus and Sense Pro use Thread.

Can Home Assistant control a Schlage Wi-Fi lock?

Yes. Schlage Wi-Fi locks are reachable through Schlage's cloud API using AWS Cognito authentication, and Home Assistant has a native integration built on it that polls lock state every 30 seconds.