What is Geofencing? 🌍
What is Location-Based Access (Geofencing)? 
Location-Based Access is a security feature that restricts Swipe-to-Open and unlocking from video call functionality to users who are physically near the property. This prevents unauthorized remote access and enhances your property's security by requiring users to be within a defined radius of the building.
Location-Based Access is a security feature that restricts Swipe-to-Open and unlocking from video call functionality to users who are physically near the property. This prevents unauthorized remote access and enhances your property's security by requiring users to be within a defined radius of the building.
Key Benefits 
- Enhanced Security: Prevents remote unlocks from outside the property
- Granular Control: Can be configured at the property, access group, and individual tenant levels
- Flexible Management: Allows exceptions for staff, VIPs, or specific users
- Peace of Mind: Ensures residents can only grant access when they're physically on-site
How Location-Based Access Works 
When Location-Based Access is enabled:
- Users must be within the configured geofence radius (ranging from 500 ft to 3 miles) to perform access actions
- The system uses GPS location to verify proximity to the building based on the resident's phone location
- Location checks only occur when the app is actively open
- GPS accuracy is typically 5-10 meters (16-33 feet)
What Actions Are Restricted?
When Location-Based Access is active, the following features require physical presence at the property:
- Swipe-to-Open door unlocking
- Unlocking from video calls (app calls)
- Phone calls: Currently NOT restricted by geofencing, though we are actively working on implementing this.
Note: Widgets, Siri voice command shortcuts, and Apple Watch currently prompt the resident to unlock from the app when geofencing is turned on.
Configuration & Management 
Who Can Enable Location-Based Access?
Location-Based Access must be enabled by a ButterflyMX internal administrator upon client request. Property and community admins cannot enable this feature themselves.
- Cost: Included at no additional charge as part of your ButterflyMX service
- Availability: Available upon request for properties with high-security needs
Granular Control Options
Once enabled at the property level, admins can configure:
- Access Group Level: Apply geofencing rules to groups of users
- Individual Tenant Level: Create exceptions for staff, VIPs, or specific users by enabling or disabling geofencing per tenant
Geofence Radius Options
Admins can set the geofence radius from the following options or drag and drop a custom size:
- 500 ft
- 1,000 ft
- 2,640 ft (0.5 miles)
- 5,280 ft (1 mile)
- 7,920 ft (1.5 miles)
- 10,560 ft (2 miles)
- 13,200 ft (2.5 miles)
- 15,840 ft (3 miles)
How to Request Location-Based Access
To enable Location-Based Access for your property:
- Contact your Customer Success Manager (CSM)
- Reach out to ButterflyMX Support
- Submit a request through your normal support channels
Important Considerations 
User Experience
- Users outside the geofenced area will receive notifications explaining that they are outside the allowed range
- When the app is opened outside the geofence, users will see a visual indicator that they are too far away
- Location data is encrypted and deleted right after location has been verified
Privacy & Battery
- Location permissions: The app requests location permissions similar to the Smart Lock flow
- No background tracking: There is no background location polling
- Battery efficient: The app uses low-power location triggers and only checks location when the app is open
- Data privacy: All location data is encrypted and deleted immediately after verification
Who Should Use Location-Based Access? 
This feature is designed for high-security properties, including:
- Student housing
- Commercial properties
- Mixed-use buildings
- High-security multifamily properties
Frequently Asked Questions 
Q: What is Location-Based Access?
A: It's a feature that restricts Swipe-to-Open and unlocking from video call functionality to users who are physically near the property.
Q: Who is this for?
A: It's designed for high-security properties like student housing, commercial, and mixed-use buildings.
Q: Is this feature mandatory?
A: No, it's optional and can be enabled at the property level by internal admins upon request.
Q: Will this affect staff or just residents?
A: Admins can configure Location-Based Access at the building, access group, and individual tenant levels, allowing flexibility for staff exemptions.
Q: How is user location data handled?
A: All location data is encrypted and deleted right after location has been verified. Location checks only occur when the app is actively open.
Q: Will this drain the phone battery?
A: No, the app uses low-power location triggers and only checks location when the app is open.
Q: How accurate is the location detection?
A: GPS accuracy is typically 5-10 meters (16-33 feet). Properties can set geofence radius from 500 ft to 3 miles.
A: It's a feature that restricts Swipe-to-Open and unlocking from video call functionality to users who are physically near the property.
Q: Who is this for?
A: It's designed for high-security properties like student housing, commercial, and mixed-use buildings.
Q: Is this feature mandatory?
A: No, it's optional and can be enabled at the property level by internal admins upon request.
Q: Will this affect staff or just residents?
A: Admins can configure Location-Based Access at the building, access group, and individual tenant levels, allowing flexibility for staff exemptions.
Q: How is user location data handled?
A: All location data is encrypted and deleted right after location has been verified. Location checks only occur when the app is actively open.
Q: Will this drain the phone battery?
A: No, the app uses low-power location triggers and only checks location when the app is open.
Q: How accurate is the location detection?
A: GPS accuracy is typically 5-10 meters (16-33 feet). Properties can set geofence radius from 500 ft to 3 miles.
Getting Started 
Ready to enhance your property's security with Location-Based Access? Contact your ButterflyMX Customer Success Manager or reach out to our support team to discuss enabling this feature for your property.
For additional questions about Location-Based Access or other ButterflyMX features, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team through your normal channels.
For additional questions about Location-Based Access or other ButterflyMX features, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team through your normal channels.