Yale Network Modules: Home Module, Zigbee & Z-Wave Explained

All Assure network modules share the same physical connector. Here’s what each current option does, what’s changed with Z-Wave, and how to choose the right one today.

Yale’s Assure Lock series is designed around a modular connectivity system. The lock itself provides keypad and Bluetooth access locally, but connecting it to a smart home ecosystem — for remote control, automations, and voice assistant integration — requires a network module.

Three module options are current in Australia today: the standard Yale Home Module (included), the Zigbee Module (sold separately), and the Z-Wave 700 Module (sold separately). The older green Z-Wave 500 module has been discontinued and withdrawn from sale — but Z-Wave itself hasn’t gone anywhere. Yale has replaced it with an upgraded 700-series module in the same black housing, and it’s in stock now. This guide covers:

• What each current module does and which protocol it uses
• Whether the modules are physically interchangeable, and which locks they fit
• What happened to the old green Z-Wave module, and what to buy if you need a replacement
• When you need a module at all, and when the Yale Connect Plus Hub 2 is the better answer

For the broader gateway and connectivity picture, see Chapter 08 — Smart Lock Gateway Comparison in the Smart Lock Buyer’s Guide.

This guide was reviewed and updated in August 2026.

The Three Modules — What Each One Does

What about the old green module? The original Yale Z-Wave 500 Module (green) has been discontinued and withdrawn from sale in Australia. It hasn’t been dropped without a replacement — it’s been superseded by the Z-Wave 700 module described above, which fits the same locks and the same module bay. See What Happened to the Z-Wave Module? below for the full story.

Are They Interchangeable?

Yes — physically. Every Assure network module, including the discontinued Z-Wave 500 module, uses the same edge-connector form factor and slots into the same socket on a compatible lock. Removing the existing module and pressing in a new one is a matter of minutes. No tools required — though the lock’s batteries must be removed before swapping the module, and refitted afterwards.

Two different swap scenarios: If your green Z-Wave 500 module has failed or you’re replacing it because it’s discontinued, the black Z-Wave 700 module is a straightforward like-for-like swap — same ecosystem, same hub, no new pairing logic to learn. Full steps, including the mandatory battery-removal step, are in Yale’s Z-Wave 700 Module installation guide (PDF). If instead you want to move to a different smart home ecosystem entirely, the Zigbee module is the path — buy it, swap it in, and pair it with your Zigbee hub, following Yale’s Zigbee Module installation and programming instructions (PDF). Either way the lock body, keypad, and battery compartment all stay in place.

Always confirm compatibility with your specific lock model before ordering. Both the Zigbee module and the Z-Wave 700 module are confirmed compatible with the Yale Assure Lock series stocked at Terry’s — the YRD226 keyed deadbolt, YRD256 key-free deadbolt, and YRL226 keyed lever, each in Satin Chrome or Matt Black. YRD426 and YRD446 are named on Yale’s published international compatibility list but do not currently have a live Australian listing. Not all Yale lock models use this module system — the Yale Unity Entrance Lock range, for example, uses the Yale Connect Plus Hub 2 for remote access rather than a plug-in module. If in doubt, check your lock’s product page or ask our team before ordering.

Zigbee vs Z-Wave — How They Differ

Zigbee and Z-Wave are both mesh networking protocols for smart home devices — but they are entirely separate ecosystems. A Zigbee hub cannot communicate with Z-Wave devices, and vice versa. Both are current, in-stock module options for Assure locks — the right one depends on which ecosystem your hub or alarm panel already runs.

The decision rule is simple: if you’re integrating into an existing alarm system or Z-Wave mesh — Ring Alarm and many alarm panels use Z-Wave — the Z-Wave 700 module is the match, and it’s backward-compatible with an existing 500-series network. If you’re starting fresh with no existing hub, Samsung SmartThings supports both protocols, so the choice comes down to whichever other Zigbee or Z-Wave devices you already own or plan to buy. If you already have the old green Z-Wave 500 module fitted and it’s working, there’s no need to touch it — the 700-series module is what you buy when it needs replacing.

What Happened to the Z-Wave Module?

Yale withdrew the original Z-Wave 500 Module (green, YRD-ZWM-1) from sale in Australia in July 2026. Existing modules already installed keep working — this was never a recall or a remote shutdown of installed hardware. What changed is the answer to what do I buy new: Yale has replaced it with the Z-Wave 700 Module (black, YRD-ZWM-2), a straight generational upgrade on the 700-series Z-Wave Plus v2 platform, in stock now.

The 700-series module brings a genuine upgrade over the 500-series it replaces — Yale cites 46% greater wireless range and 20% better battery efficiency, along with mandatory S2 (AES-128) encryption where the previous generation made S2 optional, and QR-code SmartStart provisioning for faster setup. It slots into the same module bay as the old module and is backward-compatible with an existing 500-series Z-Wave mesh, so it doesn’t force an upgrade of the rest of your network.

For reference, the correct Z-Wave frequency pair for Australia and New Zealand is 919.8 MHz and 921.4 MHz (AS/NZS 4268), printed directly on the module’s own regulatory label — Terry’s photographed a genuine Australian unit to confirm this. If you’re buying a Z-Wave hub second-hand or from overseas to pair with a Yale module, confirm it supports this frequency pair — a hub built for the US or European Z-Wave band (908.4 MHz / 868.4 MHz) will not communicate with an AU-frequency module.

Replacing an existing Z-Wave 500 module: the swap is a direct one — remove the old green module, remove and refit the lock’s batteries, seat the new black module, and re-pair it with your hub as a new device. Your lock’s settings, PINs, and mechanical parts are stored in the lock itself and are unaffected by the module swap.

Zigbee range, if you’re planning an ecosystem migration: as general Zigbee-protocol guidance (not a Yale-specific figure), expect roughly 10–20 metres per hop indoors, or up to about 100 metres in clear line of sight outdoors. Zigbee is a mesh protocol, so mains-powered Zigbee devices in the network extend that range by relaying signals for battery-powered ones.

Do You Actually Need a Module?

Not necessarily. What you need depends on how you want to control the lock remotely.

Modules require a compatible hub to function — the module alone does not provide remote access. Both the Zigbee and Z-Wave 700 modules are radio transmitters. Without a matching hub to receive and route their signal, they add nothing to the lock’s capabilities. The hub (Samsung SmartThings, Ring Alarm, Amazon Echo, etc.) is a separate purchase. For a detailed gateway comparison, see Chapter 08 — Smart Lock Gateway Comparison. For troubleshooting WiFi connectivity on the Connect Plus Hub 2, see Why Smart Locks Sometimes Drop Off WiFi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Yale Home Module, Zigbee Module and Z-Wave Module interchangeable?

Yes, physically. Every Assure network module — including the discontinued green Z-Wave 500 module — shares the same edge-connector form factor and slots into the same socket on a compatible Yale Assure lock. You can swap between them without tools, though the lock’s batteries must come out first. Each module connects to a different smart home ecosystem, so while the hardware is interchangeable, the hub you need changes depending on which module is installed. The current lineup is the Home Module (included), and the Zigbee and Z-Wave 700 modules, both sold separately.

What is the difference between Zigbee and Z-Wave for Yale smart locks?

Zigbee uses an open standard (IEEE 802.15.4) operating at 2.4 GHz and is supported by a wide range of hubs including Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Echo and Hubitat. Z-Wave uses a closed, licensed standard operating on 919.8 MHz and 921.4 MHz in Australia, a sub-GHz band with better wall penetration and less interference from WiFi. Both protocols are current, in-stock module options for Yale Assure locks — the current Z-Wave module is the 700-series (black), which adds mandatory S2 encryption and SmartStart provisioning over the module it replaced. Both require a compatible hub — the module alone does not provide remote access.

Which Yale locks are compatible with the Zigbee and Z-Wave network modules?

Both modules are confirmed compatible with the Yale Assure Lock series stocked at Terry’s — the YRD226 keyed deadbolt, YRD256 key-free deadbolt, and YRL226 keyed lever, each in Satin Chrome or Matt Black. YRD426 and YRD446 are named on Yale’s published international compatibility list but do not currently have a live Australian listing. Not all Yale locks use this module system — the Yale Unity Entrance Lock range, for example, uses the Yale Connect Plus Hub 2 for remote connectivity rather than a plug-in module. Always confirm compatibility with your specific model before purchasing.

Do I need a module if I already have a Yale Connect Plus Hub 2?

No. The Yale Connect Plus Hub 2 is a WiFi bridge that provides remote access via the Yale Home App without requiring a Zigbee or Z-Wave module. If your lock is compatible with the Connect Plus Hub 2, you do not need a separate network module for remote access. The Zigbee and Z-Wave modules are for users who want to integrate their Yale lock into an existing third-party smart home ecosystem instead.

My existing green Z-Wave module has failed — what do I replace it with?

The Yale Z-Wave 500 Module (green, YRD-ZWM-1) is discontinued and no longer available new. The direct replacement is the Yale Z-Wave 700 Module (black, YRD-ZWM-2) — it fits the same module bay in the same host locks, and is backward-compatible with an existing 500-series Z-Wave mesh, so the rest of your Z-Wave network does not need to change. Remove the old module, remove and refit the lock’s batteries, seat the new one, and re-pair it with your hub as a new device.

Can I switch from Z-Wave to Zigbee, or the other way around?

Yes. Because every Assure module shares the same physical form factor, you can remove one module and press in another, provided your lock model supports it. No tools are required, but the lock’s batteries must be removed first. You will need to pair the lock with your new hub after swapping — a Z-Wave hub and a Zigbee hub are not interchangeable, so check compatibility with your existing or planned smart home system before committing either way.

Related Guides

Not Sure Which Module Your Lock Needs?

Tell us your lock model and smart home hub and we’ll confirm the right module — or whether the Yale Connect Plus Hub 2 is the better answer for your setup.