New price tier and app upgrade put Schlage Encode Plus in the smart-lock spotlight

Allegion’s Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt adds Apple Home Key support, WiFi connectivity and a fresh mid-range price tier at major US retailers, aiming at homeowners who want smartphone control without a full-blown security system.

Edited by ad hoc news Flagship & Bestseller Desk. Reviewed before publication on 06/15/2026 at 5:40 PM ET. Details in the imprint.

The Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt is moving into a sharper price tier at big-box retailers, while Allegion continues to lean on the lock as a flagship for connected home access. The smart deadbolt combines built-in WiFi with Apple Home Key support, letting users tap a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock the door instead of juggling physical keys. At the same time, a recent app update for Allegion’s Schlage Home app improves onboarding and remote management, positioning Encode Plus as a core device for homeowners upgrading to a connected front door without buying an entire alarm package. Schlage lists the Encode Plus as its top-tier residential smart deadbolt with WiFi and Home Key integration.

What Schlage Encode Plus delivers at the door

Encode Plus builds on Allegion’s established Schlage Encode line but adds near-field communication so that Apple Home Key works alongside traditional keypad codes, app control and physical keys. It ships in common US door prep sizes and offers both Century and Camelot trim styles, allowing it to match a broad range of existing Schlage hardware on exterior doors. Users can lock and unlock the deadbolt via the Schlage Home app, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, and can share up to 100 access codes, tailoring permissions for guests, dog-walkers or contractors without handing over a spare key. According to the official product documentation, the lock’s built-in WiFi removes the need for a separate hub, simplifying installation for first-time smart-lock buyers and reducing hardware clutter near the door. Allegion highlights hub-free WiFi connectivity and multi-platform compatibility as key Encode Plus selling points.

In the US, Encode Plus is positioned as a premium but mainstream choice, typically priced around the mid-$300 range at retail when not discounted, competing with offerings from August, Yale and Level. The deadbolt supports standard ANSI Grade 1 residential security ratings in most configurations and uses a tamper-resistant design with a reinforced strike plate, important for buyers who are wary of sacrificing mechanical strength for convenience. Allegion provides guidance that professional installation is optional - the lock is designed for DIY installation with a screwdriver in a standard single-cylinder deadbolt cutout, a factor that can significantly lower total upgrade cost compared with traditional, wired security systems that require a technician visit.

Battery life is another selling point: Encode Plus relies on standard AA batteries, with the app surfacing low-battery warnings well before the lock becomes unusable. For situations where the batteries are depleted, users can still rely on the mechanical key override to gain entry, a redundancy that many competing products also advertise but remains a key reassurance feature for hesitant adopters of smart access technology. Firmware updates are delivered over WiFi, enabling Allegion to add integrations or security patches over time without a hardware swap - a meaningful consideration given the multi-year life span of a front-door lock and the fast-changing nature of smart-home ecosystems.

The latest Schlage Home app refresh focuses on smoother pairing flows, clearer feedback during lock installation and tighter integration with third-party platforms. A more guided, step-by-step setup reduces the chances that consumers will abandon installation or require support calls, which can erode retailer satisfaction and raise Allegion’s service costs. Within the app, Encode Plus owners can view an access history log, adjust auto-lock settings and manage user codes from anywhere with an internet connection, turning the deadbolt into a remote access control point for short-term rentals or second homes. For homeowners building out a broader ecosystem, Encode Plus can sit alongside Allegion’s other connected products, including keypad levers and future access solutions tied into the same app and cloud platform.

For Allegion, Schlage Encode Plus anchors its residential smart-lock portfolio in North America and helps the company capture a larger share of the growing digital door-lock market. Industry analysts point to sustained growth for connected residential access, with Allegion and its Schlage brand frequently cited among the key players as consumers shift from purely mechanical locks toward WiFi- and app-enabled devices. A recent market study on digital door-lock systems cites Allegion’s introduction of advanced Schlage-branded smart deadbolts as a contributor to the category’s expansion and competitive intensity. One such market report highlights Allegion’s Schlage smart locks, including Encode variants, as examples of WiFi-connected residential products driving volume growth. Shares of Allegion plc (IE00BFRT3W74) trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "ALLE" in US dollars; on 06/14/2026, the stock closed at $XXX.XX.

Schlage Encode Plus quick profile

• Product: Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt
• Manufacturer: Allegion plc
• Category: Flagship/Bestseller smart lock
• Launch date: 2021 (initial release in North America)
• MSRP / Price: Typically around the mid-$300 range in the US, depending on finish and retailer
• Availability: Widely available in the US via home improvement chains, online retailers and Schlage’s own channels
• Target audience: Homeowners and renters seeking keyless entry, remote control and Apple Home Key support without a full alarm system
• Key differentiator / USP: Built-in WiFi plus Apple Home Key support, working without a separate hub while supporting multiple smart-home platforms

This article was a.i.-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without warranty; prices and availability may change at short notice. Not investment advice and not a buy or sell recommendation. Trading involves risk up to and including the total loss of invested capital.