Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt Lock: Apple Home Unlock Without a Key

The Schlage Encode Plus is a smart deadbolt built for households that want to walk up to the door with a phone or watch and get in without digging for keys. It is the Apple-friendly pick in Schlage’s lineup, with tap-to-unlock support and native Apple Home integration. This review covers what the lock does, how it is built, where it falls short, and which buyers should look elsewhere.

Features and Specifications

Type: Smart WiFi deadbolt, keyless entry
Locking method: Touchscreen keypad, tap-to-unlock, app control
Connectivity: Built-in WiFi
Smart Home: Apple Home, Amazon Alexa
Voice Assistants: Alexa-compatible
Rental Use: Airbnb compatible
Finish: Matte Black

The Encode Plus is a full deadbolt replacement, not a bolt-on keypad cover. That means it replaces the existing hardware on the door, so installation is a real project rather than a five-minute add-on. Built-in WiFi is the headline here — the lock talks to the network directly, with no separate hub or bridge required for its core smart features.

The touchscreen replaces the physical keypad found on older smart locks, which gives the front door a cleaner look and removes the moving buttons that tend to collect grime. Matte Black is the only finish listed, which suits modern doors and darker hardware schemes but stands out on a white or wood-tone door.

Build and Hardware

The Encode Plus is a deadbolt first and a smart device second, and that ordering matters. Schlage builds it around a motorized bolt that throws and retracts electronically, with a keypad and touchscreen on the exterior and a battery compartment on the interior. The lock is designed to be operated by phone, watch, keypad code, or app rather than a physical key.

The matte black finish is a powder-style coating over metal, which is the right call for an exterior device that sees sun, rain and hand contact. It hides fingerprints better than a gloss or satin finish, which is a small but real advantage for a touchscreen device people poke at daily.

The trade-off here is weight and bulk. A motorized deadbolt with a WiFi radio and a battery pack is a chunky piece of hardware, and on a door with a tight strike plate or an older mortise, the fit can be fussy. Buyers replacing builder-grade hardware should expect to do some measuring and possibly some chiseling.

Connectivity and Smart Home

This is where the Encode Plus earns its price. Built-in WiFi means the lock connects to the home network on its own, so remote locking, code management and status checks work without a hub sitting in the middle. For Apple households, the tap-to-unlock feature is the reason to buy: an iPhone or Apple Watch can unlock the door with a tap, no app-opening required.

Alexa support covers voice control and routines, so the lock can be tied into a broader smart home setup — lock up at night, check status from the kitchen, and so on. Apple Home support means the lock shows up in the Home app alongside lights and thermostats, with automation and scene support.

Airbnb compatibility is aimed squarely at hosts. The lock allows guest codes to be issued and revoked remotely, which is the practical reason short-term rental operators gravitate toward it. A host can set a code for a check-in window and kill it afterward without driving to the property.

The caution on connectivity is straightforward: WiFi smart locks depend on a stable network and a healthy battery. A lock that loses its connection or drains its cells becomes a keypad-only device until the owner intervenes, and remote code management is only as reliable as the router behind it.

Keyless Entry and Daily Use

The touchscreen keypad is the everyday interface. A code gets a person in without a phone, which matters for family members, cleaners and guests who should not be given app access. The screen wakes on touch, and codes can be managed from the app — added, deleted, or scheduled.

Tap-to-unlock is the frictionless path for the primary user. A phone or watch in a pocket or on a wrist unlocks the door with a tap, which is faster than a code and works with hands full of groceries. This is the feature that separates the Encode Plus from a generic keypad deadbolt.

The weakness of a touchscreen is the same as any touchscreen outdoors: gloves, wet hands and cold weather all interfere with it. Buyers in cold climates should plan on tap-to-unlock or the app as the primary method in winter rather than relying on the keypad.

Power and Maintenance

The lock runs on batteries, and battery life is the maintenance item that matters most. A WiFi radio plus a motorized bolt is a real power draw, so buyers should expect to replace cells periodically and should not ignore the low-battery warnings the app provides. Keeping a spare set on hand is cheap insurance.

There is no wiring to run and no hub to power, which keeps installation simple from an electrical standpoint. The maintenance burden is battery swaps and occasional cleaning of the touchscreen, plus keeping the bolt and strike plate aligned so the motor is not fighting a misaligned door.

The trade-off is that this is not a set-and-forget device. A smart lock with WiFi and a motor needs attention a mechanical deadbolt never did, and a household that wants zero maintenance should weigh that honestly.

Security and Rental Use

Schlage positions the Encode Plus as a certified security product, and the deadbolt format is the right foundation — a motorized bolt in a reinforced strike is a genuine physical lock, not a gadget that only looks like one. The keypad and app layer on top of that rather than replacing it.

For Airbnb and short-term rental hosts, the remote code management is the killer feature. Codes can be issued for a stay and revoked after checkout, which removes the key-handoff problem entirely. The lock also lets a host verify that the door is locked without being on site.

The caution for hosts is dependency on the network and the app. A guest locked out because the WiFi dropped or the battery died is a support call, and hosts should have a backup plan — a spare code, a physical key, or a property manager — before relying on any smart lock for access control.

Trade-off: The Encode Plus is a premium-priced lock that depends on batteries and a stable WiFi network, so buyers who want a maintenance-free deadbolt or who live with unreliable internet will find it more demanding than a mechanical lock.

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FAQ

1. Does the Schlage Encode Plus need a hub?
   No. The lock has built-in WiFi, so it connects to the home network directly for its core smart features. Buyers who want Apple Home or Alexa integration set that up through the respective apps rather than a separate bridge.

2. Can the Schlage Encode Plus be unlocked with an Apple Watch?
   Yes. Tap-to-unlock is one of the headline features, and it works with an Apple Watch as well as an iPhone, so the door can be opened with a tap rather than a code or a key.

3. Is the Encode Plus good for Airbnb rentals?
   It is built with rentals in mind. Airbnb compatibility and remote code management let a host issue and revoke guest codes without visiting the property, which is the main reason short-term rental operators choose it.

4. Does the Schlage Encode Plus work with Alexa?
   Yes. The lock is Alexa-compatible, so it can be controlled by voice and included in routines alongside other smart home devices.

5. What happens if the WiFi goes down?
   The keypad and tap-to-unlock continue to work locally, but remote features — app control from outside the home, remote code changes — depend on the network. A backup code or physical key is worth keeping on hand.

6. How often do the batteries need replacing?
   Battery life varies with how often the lock is used and how strong the WiFi signal is at the door. The app reports battery status, and buyers should replace cells when warned rather than waiting for a lockout.

7. Can the Schlage Encode Plus be installed on any door?
   It replaces a standard deadbolt, so most exterior doors with existing deadbolt prep are candidates. Older or misaligned doors may need adjustment to the strike plate or bolt hole so the motorized bolt throws cleanly.

8. Does it work with Apple Home?
   Yes. Apple Home support is a core feature, which lets the lock appear in the Home app with scenes and automations alongside other Apple-compatible devices.

9. Is a physical key still an option?
   The Encode Plus is sold as a keyless entry lock with a touchscreen, and the primary access methods are code, app and tap-to-unlock. Buyers who insist on a traditional key cylinder should confirm the exact configuration before ordering.

10. Who should not buy the Schlage Encode Plus?
    Renters who cannot change the door hardware, households with unreliable WiFi, and buyers who want a lock with no battery maintenance are better served by a simpler mechanical deadbolt or a lower-tier keypad lock.

Bottom Line

The Schlage Encode Plus is the right smart deadbolt for Apple households and short-term rental hosts who want tap-to-unlock, native Apple Home support and remote code management without adding a hub. It is a premium lock with a premium set of demands — batteries, a solid WiFi signal, and a door that is square enough for a motorized bolt — and buyers who cannot meet those should look at a simpler keypad model instead. For everyone else, it is the lock that makes keys optional.

Check the current price on Amazon