This fingerprint lock takes my ADT & Nest security system another step into the future

ADT’s Nest-integrated security system is one of my favorite parts of my smart home, in part because it has a lot of futuristic ideas. Recently, ADT added a new smart lock option to its lineup, and the fingerprint-enabled lock is such a welcome upgrade.

Smart door locks are already a great upgrade to your smart home, but they’re way better when you can integrate them with a security system. As we detailed in our prior review, the smart lock is the key – literally – to ADT’s security system. The Yale Smart Lock communicates directly with ADT’s base and can not only disarm the system as you enter the home, but it can also be unlocked automatically based on other factors, such as the Nest-powered “Trusted Neighbor” system which can use a Nest camera feed and the ADT app to unlock the door for you or your friends/family.

The standard Yale lock ADT has been using works wonderfully enough, with a simple design, key backup, and solid battery life. But, as we brought out in our review, deficiencies in Google’s “Familiar Faces” feature mean that, more often than not, you’re just going to put in the code to unlock the door anyway.

That’s where this new option steps in.

Advertisement - scroll for more content

The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch is now available through ADT and works just like the existing one, but with the big addition being a fingerprint sensor on the lock. This sensor is found inside of the Yale logo and works pretty wonderfully. The ADT app will tell you to register your index finger and it takes about 30-60 seconds to complete the process. After registration, the sensor works perfectly. I’ve yet to have it fail on me!

This speeds up the process of getting back into your home. A scan takes just a second or two and then the door unlocks. It’s probably about twice as fast as a code unlock, but really it’s also just more convenient, and feels a bit futuristic at the same time.

You can register as many fingerprints as you want (as long as that number is less than 20), so your “Trusted Neighbor” members can also experience this convenience. Of coruse, they need to go through registration in person, which isn’t super ideal, but is also unavoidable. But that’s why there’s a code backup. This new lock ditches the physical keypad for a touch-sensitive one. It works fine, but it’s also not quite as satisfying or intuitive to use. It’s also a little annoying that, if a fingerprint is registered, the keypad doesn’t show up until you unsuccessfully try to use it anyway. It’d be nice if there was a sensor to light up the keypad when you walk up. Or, you know, physical buttons.

The design of the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch also pretty closely matches that of the other Yale lock ADT offers, which is great if you end up having both. I still have the standard lock on my front door, but I had this fingerprint-enabled option installed on my garage door since that’s the one we’re more likely to enter through. Even with the two close by each other, they look cohesive.

ADT deserves a lot of credit for how easy it is to use this lock, too. The settings are fairly easy to dig through and understand, and it also syncs over to Google Home as well with simple lock/unlock functionality. Beyond the software side, if you have an ADT installer come out, the process is so quick and nice. ADT sent out an installer for this lock, and not only did he complete the job in what felt like 10 minutes, but he managed to work around a stubborn door that I’d always had issues with on older smart locks. ADT’s whole system is very DIY-friendly, but it’s nice to have the option to get someone to help out if you need/want it.

If you’re about to install an ADT system in your home or you already have one and need to add a lock to another door, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch is definitely worth considering. For a high-traffic door, the little bit of added convenience is really nice. Is it worth the extra $70 over the standard one? As mentioned, for a high-traffic door I’d say it’s worth it.

Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram