Property Manager's Guide to NFC Wallet Passes
Unlock ButterflyMX doors with just a tap of your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android phone.
- On iPhone and Apple Watch, Express Mode is enabled automatically, so residents can use their key without unlocking their device. On Android, residents may need to toggle off “Require device unlock for use.
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If the iPhone battery is dead, your iPhone will still unlock the door for up to 5 hours.
Before You Begin
- You must have Property Admin or Community Admin permissions to manage Wallet Passes. Only property and community administrators can enable or disable this feature for residents.
- The resident must already have a profile in your ButterflyMX OS. If they don't, add them first.
- Residents will need an eligible iPhone (iPhone 6s or later, iOS 12.4 or later) or Apple Watch (Series 1 or later, watchOS 5.2.1 or later) and the ButterflyMX app installed.
How to Enable Wallet Passes for your property
- Contact your ButterflyMX representative to enable Wallet Pass at your property.
- Keys will be activated within 5 days after the paid invoice has been received.
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You can choose which residents can use Wallet Passes (see next section).
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Registered users can add their key to their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet from the ButterflyMX mobile app. Users only need one resident key to control all ButterflyMX-enabled doors or gates.
🔑 How to Enable a Wallet Pass for a Resident
Follow these steps to enable the Resident Key in Apple Wallet for a specific resident profile:
- Log in to the ButterflyMX OS.
- Click into your building.
- Navigate to Tenants in the left sidebar and search for the resident whose profile you want to update.
- Click the resident's name to open their profile, then click Edit.
[Screenshot: Resident profile with the Edit button visible] - Scroll down to the Entry Methods section and locate the Wallet Pass toggle.
- Toggle the option on to enable the Wallet Pass for this resident.
- Click Save at the bottom of the page to apply the change.
Once the toggle is enabled, the resident can add their key to Apple Wallet directly from the ButterflyMX app.
🚫 How to Disable a Wallet Pass for a Resident
To turn off Wallet Pass access for a resident:
- Log in to the ButterflyMX OS and navigate to the resident's profile.
- Click Edit, then scroll to the Entry Methods section.
- Toggle the Wallet Pass option off.
- Click Save to apply the change.
Disabling this feature will prevent the resident from using Apple Wallet to access the building. If they have already added the key to their wallet, it will no longer function for entry.
Frequently asked questions
How does a resident add their key for the first time?
Residents can add their key directly from the ButterflyMX mobile app. Go to Account > Manage Wallet Pass > Add, then follow the on-screen instructions to save the key to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.
What should I do if a resident gets a new phone?
If a resident gets a new phone, they'll need to provision a new pass. Wallet Passes cannot currently be migrated to a new device. Apple and Google are actively working to support pass migration in the future for these key types, but this functionality is not yet available. To avoid being charged for an additional pass in the meantime, please contact your ButterflyMX representative. They'll make sure your billing is adjusted accordingly.
What should I do if a resident's phone is lost or stolen?
The property manager can immediately remove the resident's key from the tenant's settings page in ButterflyMX OS. Residents can also remotely remove the key themselves using Find My for Apple devices or Google Find My Device for Android devices.
How many devices can a resident use their key on?
A resident can use their key on one iPhone and one Apple Watch, or one Android phone. They cannot use one key across both Apple and Android platforms.
What happens if my phone dies?
For iPhone: Apple's power reserve allows keys in Express Mode to work for up to 5 hours after the battery has died.
Which ButterflyMX devices are Wallet Passes compatible with?
Wallet Passes are compatible with the ButterflyMX 8" and 12" Intercoms, as well as our Access Controller's Keypad, Single gang, and Mullion Readers.
Does Express Mode need to be set up?
On iPhone and Apple Watch, Express Mode is enabled automatically, so residents can use their key without unlocking their device. On Android, residents need to toggle off "Require device unlock for use" in their key settings to enable Express Mode.
How much do Wallet Passes cost?
Contact your ButterflyMX sales representative for pricing.
What happens if I run out of keys?
You will receive email alerts when you have 10, 1, and 0 keys remaining so you can purchase more as needed.
How can I check to see how many keys are still available for use?
You can view how many keys are left for your building in building settings in the OS.
Can I see a log of when Wallet keys are used to unlock doors?
Yes. ButterflyMX logs all access activity, so property managers can see when and where Wallet keys are used.
If a tenant moves out mid-year, can I transfer their key to a different tenant?
No, keys cannot be transferred. If a key is removed from one tenant, it can't be used again.
What happens to a resident's key if they are deleted from the system?
If a tenant is deleted from ButterflyMX OS, their key is automatically revoked and will no longer work at any access point.
What if a resident accidentally removes their key from their wallet?
If a resident removes their key from Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, they will need to re-add it. Re-adding a key will incur an additional charge. Remind residents not to remove their key unless they intend to permanently give it up.
Can I choose which Access Points allow Wallet Passes?
Yes. All Access Points are enabled by default, but you can submit a request here to contact Support to disable Wallet Passes for specific access points.
Can I choose which tenants can use Wallet Passes?
Yes. Wallet Passes are disabled for all tenants by default. To enable the feature, edit the tenant's settings.
How do I remove a key from a tenant?
Removing access is as simple as granting access. Turn off the "Wallet Pass" entry method on the tenant's settings page.
Only remove a key if you no longer want the tenant to have access. Do NOT remove and re-add the key. This will incur an additional charge.