After using and reviewing Kwikset Halo smart deadbolt, it was time for me to move on to a different smart lock. I decided to purchase and install Schlage Encode model no BE489.
And it is not difficult to reason why. Schlage Encode makes it to every list of the best smart locks, be it PC Magazine or Tom’s Guide. Besides, if someone is testing smart locks, then Schlage has to feature on that list.
The entire Schlage Encode installation process took me only 50 mins following clearly laid out instructions on the website.
In this manual, I will share every minute detail of the installation process along with actual images and time taken for each step. My aim is to help you get over the installation as quickly as possible with minimum effort.
How to Install Schlage Encode Deadbolt
Schlage Encode setup can be broken down into the following steps-
- Remove old deadbolt
- Prepare the door
- Insert the bolt
- Put exterior assembly
- Attach interior mounting plate
- Add interior assembly
- Adjust strike plate
- Insert batteries & check for door handling process
- Integrate with Schlage app & Set up Access Code
Step-by-Step Instructions for Schlage Encode Installation
Remove Old Deadbolt
Actual Time Taken: 5 mins
Tools Needed: Philips Screwdriver
The first step in adding Schlage Encode to your door is to remove the old deadbolt. In my case, the screws were visible to me so it was an easy task but if you have invisible screws, read this guide on removing a deadbolt without visible screws.
Prepare the Door
Actual Time Taken: 2 mins
Tools Needed: Measuring take
As I always mention during any lock installation, door preparation is the most crucial step. If the door dimensions don’t match with the specifications, then you will have to re-do everything and come back to this step.
For Schlage Encode, following dimensions are important –
- Door thickness should be 1-⅜ inches to 1-¾ inches. This is equivalent to 35 mm to 44.5 mm. My door was bang on 35 mm thick.
- Backset needs to be less than 2-¾ inches i.e 70mm. If the backset is 70mm or more, then you will have to extend the bolt.
How to Extend the Bolt For Larger Backset?
As is shown in the video above, Schlage has provided a provision to extend the bolt for larger backsets.
Extending the bolt ensures that it goes deep into the strike plate thereby providing suitable security.
Insert the Bolt
Actual Time Taken: 5 mins
Tools Required: Philips Screwdriver
Once the door is ready, the next step is to insert the bolt into the door hole. Make sure that the part where “TOP” is mentioned goes upwards.
Once the bolt is inserted, screw the faceplate on the bolt. This is how my door looked after the completion of this step.
Put Exterior Assembly
Actual Time Taken: 3 mins
Tools Required: None
If you’ve reached so far, then the next step is to put exterior assembly on the door. On the front side exterior assembly, you will find –
- Keypad
- Keyway
On the back side of the exterior assembly, you will find –
- Spindle
- Wire that will connect with the interior assembly
Exterior assembly will be put in a way that the spindle passes through the black gap in the bolt and the wire is passed beneath the bolt to the other side.
If you have added the exterior assembly correctly, the set up should look something like this when seen from inside –
Attach Interior Mounting Plate
Actual Time Taken: 5 mins
Tools Required: Philips Screwdriver
Once the exterior assembly has been put up, the next step is to attach the mounting plate on the inner side of the door.
Mounting plate does 2 things –
- Holds the exterior assembly by 2 long screws.
- Provide base to the interior assembly.
There is clear signage on the plate that says “Against Door” on one side; this side will go against the door.
Once the plate is mounted, your Schlage Encode setup should look like this –
Add Interior Assembly
Actual Time Taken: 5 mins
Tools Required: Philips Screwdriver
Now it’s time to put the interior assembly that houses the batteries, programming button and a thumb-turn.
This is how interior assembly looks like-
There are 2 things that need to be done to add interior assembly.
- The wire that was coming from the exterior assembly and through the mounting plate will be attached to the socket on the interior assembly.
- The spindle will go in the gap marked in the above image.
Once these things are done, all that is left is to tighten the short screws. Here is the image of the screws that you will be using.
However, make sure that you don’t over tighten the screws as it might break the internal assembly.
Adjust Strike Plate
Actual Time Taken: 5 mins
Tools Required: Philips Screwdriver
So there is only one step remaining in setting up the Schlage Encode hardware i.e. adjusting the strike plate.
If you have removed an old deadbolt, chances are that you will be able to use the same hole in the doorjamb to add the new strike plate. I did that only.
Insert Batteries & Door Handling Process
Actual Time Taken: 5 mins
Tools Required: None
Schlage Encode comes with 4 AA alkaline batteries. In-fact in my case, the brand of the batteries was the same as in Kwikset Halo.
Following video shows how to take out the battery pack from the interior assembly.
Plug back the pack once the batteries are inserted. Ensure that the 2 metal plates at the bottom of the pack face towards you when you put the pack back inside.
As soon as the batteries are inserted properly, the lock will perform the door handling process. The bolt will extend and retract once (a couple of times as well sometimes).
Door handling process is the way of learning the orientation of the door i.e. whether the door is left aligned or right aligned.
Once the door handling process is completed, the lock is successfully installed. Now only one last step is left i.e. integrating the lock with the app and setting up your own access code.
Integrate with Schlage App & Setup Access Code
Actual Time Taken: 15 mins
Tools Required: Smartphone
You will have to download the Schlage Home app from the playstore. You will have to supply your credentials like phone and email id. Once those are done, the app will enter into adding a lock module and you will see a screen like below –
Click on “I own the lock” and move ahead. Along the way, you will be asked to turn on your bluetooth and connect with a wifi network.
Choose that wifi network whose signal strength at the location of the lock is good otherwise you will run into a lot of problems later on.
You will also need the default programming code that came printed on the back side of the installation manual. It is also printed on the interior assembly when you take off the cover.
Once the programming code is entered correctly, the lock will be paired with the mobile device.
The last step in integrating the lock with the app is setting up the access code. You can keep the code 4-8 digits long as shown in the image below.
Click on “Finish” to complete setting up the lock with the mobile app.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Schlage Encode smart lock on your door; a lock that you can control with the comfort of your smartphone.
