Quick Summary Smart locks stop responding in Apple Home when the HomeKit pairing has been corrupted, when the home hub (HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad) is offline,…
Quick Summary
Smart locks stop responding in Apple Home when the HomeKit pairing has been corrupted, when the home hub (HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad) is offline, or when the lock's firmware has a HomeKit bug. The Schlage Encode Plus supports HomeKey (tap-to-unlock with iPhone), while August locks require the August Connect bridge for HomeKit remote access. Both have distinct failure modes covered in this guide.
How HomeKit Lock Control Works
Step 1: Check Your Home Hub
Remote HomeKit access requires a home hub (HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K, or a dedicated iPad). If the hub is offline, all remote lock control fails. Home app → Home Settings → Home Hubs & Bridges → check hub status. If the hub shows offline: restart it (unplug and replug HomePod/Apple TV, or restart the iPad). Ensure the hub is on the same Apple ID and iCloud account as your iPhone. If you have multiple hubs, only one acts as primary. Check that the primary hub is online.
Step 2: Remove and Re-Add the Lock in Apple Home
A corrupted HomeKit pairing is the most common cause of persistent lock unresponsiveness in Apple Home. Home app → long press the lock tile → Settings → scroll down → Remove Accessory. In the lock's native app (August or Schlage Home): also remove the HomeKit pairing from the lock's settings. Factory reset the lock's HomeKit module: for August, hold the setup button for 10 seconds; for Schlage Encode Plus, hold the Schlage button for 10 seconds. Re-add via Home app → + → Add Accessory → scan the HomeKit QR code on the lock or its packaging.
Step 3: Fix Schlage Encode Plus HomeKey Issues
HomeKey (tap iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock) requires iOS 15.4+ and a Schlage Encode Plus. If HomeKey is not working: Confirm your iPhone has iOS 15.4 or later: Settings → General → About → iOS Version. Home app → select the Schlage lock → Settings → Home Key → confirm it is enabled. Remove and re-add the lock in Apple Home to refresh the HomeKey certificate. HomeKey does not work if the lock is offline or if NFC is disabled on your iPhone (Settings → General → NFC).
Step 4: Fix August HomeKit Integration
August locks use the August Connect bridge for HomeKit. The bridge must be online and the HomeKit pairing must be active. August app → Settings → HomeKit → check pairing status. If unpaired: tap Set Up HomeKit and scan the HomeKit code on the back of the August Connect bridge. Ensure the August Connect bridge is plugged in and showing a solid green LED.
Step 5: Reset HomeKit on iPhone
If multiple HomeKit accessories are misbehaving (not just the lock), the issue may be with your iPhone's HomeKit database. Settings → Privacy & Security → HomeKit → Reset HomeKit (this removes all accessories — use as last resort). Alternatively: sign out of iCloud on your iPhone, restart, sign back in. This refreshes the HomeKit sync without a full reset.