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How to Manage Your Kwikset UNITE Smart Lock in the ButterflyMX OS

Overview

  • The Kwikset UNITE smart lock integration provides unified access management for both unit and common area doors through the ButterflyMX OS.
  • Residents and staff access their locks using the ButterflyMX mobile app via Bluetooth (Swipe-to-Open) or a Kwikset fob while standing near the door.
  • All access management is centralized in the ButterflyMX OS — no separate app or portal is needed for day-to-day management.
  • The Kwikset UNITE is an offline/BLE integration — locks do not connect to Wi-Fi. This is by design and is not an error.
  • PIN codes are not supported with this integration.
  • Kwikset locks must be commissioned via the Kwikset UNITE app by your installer before integration with ButterflyMX is complete. Refer to How to Set Up the ButterflyMX Kwikset UNITE Smart Lock Integration for initial setup.

📎 For general Kwikset UNITE lock information, visit Kwikset's support site.

ButterflyMX OS Information for Property Managers

Device Management

Navigate to: Devices → Smart Locks

From this page you can:

  • View all commissioned Kwikset UNITE locks — all locks mapped to your building will appear here
  • Check battery levels — battery percentage is displayed per lock. Note: because these locks are offline/BLE, battery reporting is not continuous or real-time. Battery levels update when a BLE sync occurs at the lock.
  • View lock status — Kwikset UNITE locks will display as "Local Only" in the OS. This is expected and normal — it simply indicates the lock operates via Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi. It does not mean the lock is broken or offline.
  • Click into a lock to view:
    • Door release history (user data is obscured for privacy)
    • Permissions (which residents and staff have access)
    • Recent lock events and activity

Important: The ButterflyMX app can only unlock Kwikset UNITE locks — it cannot remotely lock them. The ButterflyMX OS also cannot display real-time locked/unlocked state for these locks.

Assigning Access

Unit Smart Locks

  • When a resident is added to a unit in the ButterflyMX OS, they automatically receive access to that unit's smart lock via the ButterflyMX mobile app on their move-in date.
  • Removing a resident from a unit in the OS removes their smart lock access.
  • You can confirm unit smart lock assignments under Spaces in the OS — look for the Smart Lock column.
  • ⚠️ Offline Sync Note: After any access change (move-in, move-out, permission update), the lock won't "learn" the change until a Bluetooth sync occurs at the door.

Common Area Locks

  • Common area lock access is managed via Access Groups in the ButterflyMX OS.
  • When the Kwikset UNITE integration is enabled, a default Smart Lock Access Group is automatically created. All newly mapped Kwikset locks automatically join this group.
  • By default, this group includes existing Property Administrators and Community Administrators.
  • To grant residents or staff access to common area locks, add them to the appropriate Access Group under Access Management in the OS.

Fob Management

Kwikset fobs are compatible with both:

  • ✅ ButterflyMX hardware (card readers, 2-door controllers)
  • ✅ Kwikset UNITE unit locks

Residents only need one fob for building-wide access.

To issue a fob to a resident:

⚠️ Phase 1 Limitation: Fob encoding currently requires a Property Manager or Admin to be physically at a Kwikset UNITE lock with the ButterflyMX app. Fobs cannot be encoded remotely.

  1. A user with Property Manager or Admin role must open the ButterflyMX app
  2. At the top of the screen, choose "+ Kwikset Fob" to begin
  3. Follow the in-app instructions to initiate fob encoding
  4. Hold the fob against the Kwikset UNITE lock to complete encoding

Important fob notes:

  • Plan for an on-site session when issuing new fobs or re-encoding existing ones
  • Each future fob change will also require this on-site step
  • Fobs that are removed in the OS will be revoked on the lock at the next BLE sync

Battery Alerts

To receive notifications when a lock battery is running low:

  1. Navigate to Integrations → Kwikset Integration Settings in the ButterflyMX OS
  2. Configure battery alert thresholds for tenant notifications and admin notifications

📎 Refer to How to Enable Smart Lock Battery Alerts in the ButterflyMX OS for step-by-step instructions.

Note: Since Kwikset UNITE locks are offline/BLE, battery levels are not updated in real-time. Battery data reflects the most recent sync event.

Vendor & Visitor Access

  • Vendor Access: Use custom Access Groups to grant temporary or ongoing access to vendors. Add the vendor as a user in the OS and include them in the appropriate Access Group.
  • Visitor Pass: Visitor Pass is available for building entry points (intercoms, keypads). However, Visitor Pass does not extend to unit-level Kwikset locks — visitors accessing a unit must be let in by the resident directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do the locks show as "Local Only" or "Offline" in the OS? Is something wrong? A: No — this is completely expected. Kwikset UNITE locks are BLE-only devices that don't connect to Wi-Fi. "Local Only" simply means the lock operates via Bluetooth proximity, not through the internet. This is normal and not an error.

Q: A resident says they can't unlock their door. What should I check? A: Verify the following:

  1. Is the resident's Bluetooth turned on?
  2. Is the resident standing within approximately 10 feet of the lock?
  3. Is the ButterflyMX app up to date on their device?
  4. Was the resident added to their unit in the OS before their move-in date?

Q: Can residents unlock their door remotely from anywhere? A: No. The Kwikset UNITE is an offline/BLE-only lock. Residents must be physically near the lock (approximately 10 feet) with Bluetooth enabled on their phone to unlock it.

Q: Can I use PIN codes with Kwikset UNITE? A: No. PIN codes are not supported with the Kwikset UNITE integration. Access is via the ButterflyMX app (Swipe-to-Open via BLE) and Kwikset fobs only.

Q: Can I assign access to multiple locks for one resident? A: Yes. Access permissions are managed per resident in the ButterflyMX OS via Access Groups. You can grant a resident access to multiple common area locks by adding them to the appropriate Access Group.

Q: What happens if a resident gets a new phone? A: The resident should download the ButterflyMX app on their new phone, log in with their existing account, and stand near their lock to complete a Bluetooth sync. Their access credentials will be applied to the lock on the next sync.

Q: If I factory reset or replace a Kwikset UNITE lock, what do I do? A: Contact ButterflyMX Support. A replacement or reset lock will need to be re-commissioned via the Kwikset UNITE app and re-imported in the Smart Lock Admin Portal before it can be re-mapped in the OS.

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