Hospitable integrates with supported smart lock platforms to automatically generate and manage access codes for your properties. These codes can be created for both guest stays and operational tasks, and are synced with your connected locks.
This article explains how smart lock codes work, where to find them, and what to expect across different integrations, devices, and subscription plans.
Smart lock integrations are only available on the Professional, Mogul, or Legacy plans.
Users on Host or Essentials plans must upgrade to use smart devices.
How Smart Lock Codes Are Created
Hospitable automatically generates smart lock codes when specific events occur.
Codes are created for:
Guest reservations
Operations tasks (such as cleaning or maintenance)
Each code is unique and tied to a specific reservation or task.
Once a code is created:
Hospitable sends the request to our lock integration partner
The partner schedules the code on the lock
It automatically activates for the reservation or task, and is removed when it ends
Hospitable can only manage the codes it creates. Codes created directly in your lock provider’s app are not modified or deleted.
Connect Your Locks
Learn how to connect and match locks here.
Reservation Access Codes
Reservation codes allow guests to access the property during their stay.
When a reservation is accepted:
A unique code is generated (either random or based on their phone number, depending on your settings)
The code is sent to the integration partner
The code is scheduled on the lock
The code activates at check-in and expires at check-out
Hosts can adjust when codes activate and expire using buffers.
Configure Code Timing Buffers
Go to: Devices → Smart Locks → Settings
For check-in: Choose when your guest's codes should become active (use the dropdown to select minutes or hours)
For checkout: Choose when your guest's codes should be removed from the lock (use the dropdown to select minutes or hours)
Operations Task Codes
Operations codes provide access for team members such as cleaners or maintenance staff.
Unlike reservation codes:
They are tied to tasks, not stays
Each task generates a unique code
Codes are active during the task window, with a 1-hour buffer for start and end times
Operations codes can be created for:
Hospitable tasks
Cleanster bookings
This allows secure access without sharing guest codes.
Learn more here: How to use Operations codes.
Viewing Guest Codes in the Inbox
Reservation codes are displayed in the Property Access section of the guest conversation in the inbox.
Property Access Panel (Inbox Details)
The Property Access section appears in the guest conversation sidebar under the calendar.
It displays:
Lock name
Access code
Code status
Timeline
If you have multiple locks matched to the same property and guest access is enabled for all of them, you will see them in the property access section of the guest's conversation thread.
Additional indicators:
Lock Disconnected: Indicates connection issues
Fix: Check the internet connection or move the router closer (flaky internet connections, where the connection goes in and out, can also prevent or delay a code from being set)
Retry Code: Appears if code creation failed
Fix: Ensure your lock is online and connected, then click to retry
Please see our dedicated Smart locks FAQ and Troubleshooting guide for further information.
Code Statuses
Codes move through the following statuses:
Pending (grey): Code creation has started and is awaiting confirmation
Created (yellow): Code is generated and scheduled
Visible on lock (yellow): Code is available in the lock app
Active (green): Code is usable by the guest
Assigning Multiple Locks to a Property
You can assign multiple locks to a single property.
When multiple locks are connected:
The same code is applied to all locks
Guests can use one code across all access points
This is useful for:
Multiple entrances
Shared spaces
Amenities like pools or gyms
💡 Common troubleshooting tip: If you have multiple locks connected to one property and we cannot set a code on one (due to the lock being broken or offline, for example), we will attempt to set a backup code on all connected locks. Make sure to unmatch locks you are no longer using.
Supported Smart Lock Integrations
Hospitable currently supports selected locks from:
Schlage
Yale
August
SmartThings
Nuki
IglooHome
Kwikset
KeyNest (open beta)
RemoteLock (no longer offered for new connections)
Not all locks from each manufacturer are supported. See the full list of supported locks here.
To avoid connection issues, make sure to confirm the lock is supported before purchasing.
Subscription Plan Requirements
Access to smart lock integrations depends on your plan:
Host & Essentials
Not supported. You must upgrade plans to connect a smart lock.
Professional Plan
Supports smart lock integrations and automation
Includes 2 devices per property in the base price
Mogul Plan
Supports smart lock integrations and automation
Includes 4 devices per property in the base price
Legacy Plan
Supports smart locks as a paid add-on
No devices included by default
For pricing details, see here.
Common Functionality
Across all supported integrations, reservation codes:
Are created in Hospitable when a reservation is accepted
Are sent to the integration partner
Appear in the guest conversation thread
You can insert codes into messages using:
%smartlock_code%(not suggested in New Reservation messages)
Learn more about Smart lock code communication.
Editing Code Timing
You can change the start and end time of a code by updating:
Check-in time
Check-out time
This is done directly in the inbox conversation by updating the check-in or check out time in the inbox conversation.
Backup Codes
If Hospitable cannot set a guest’s code on the lock:
A backup code is automatically sent to the guest
Backup codes:
Backup codes exist on the lock at all times and start with HOSP-
Ensure guest access during technical issues (such as your lock going offline or battery dying)
Are enabled by default and should not be removed
Are not communicated to guests until they are needed
They are deleted after each use and replaced
After checkout:
The backup code is deleted from the lock
A new one is generated for future use
Backup codes themselves cannot be disabled; only their communication can be turned off. See Smart lock code communication.
Last-Minute Bookings
For last-minute bookings:
Codes are generated immediately after confirmation
If the lock does not confirm in time, a backup code is sent
Managing and Troubleshooting Backup Codes
Backup codes are triggered when Hospitable cannot assign the original code.
Common Scenarios
Disconnected locks → Ensure the device is online
Airbnb integration conflicts → Disconnect your smart lock account from Airbnb
Technical failures → If the guest's code cannot be set on one or more matched locks, a backup code (starting with “HOSP”) will be assigned
Plan limitations → Upgrade from Esssentials or Host plans to use smart locks
Please see our dedicated Smart locks FAQ and Troubleshooting guide for troubleshooting help.
Incomplete Check-in Tasks Behavior
If a guest hasn't completed required check-in tasks (such as completing guest verification), code communication is delayed until the reservation is verified
This applies to all smart lock messaging
This also applies to the Autohost integration, if verification is enabled
Smart Lock Settings
All of the following settings can be updated under Devices → Smart Locks → Settings.
Code Format
By default:
Codes are based on the guest’s phone number
If the phone number has not been received from the booking channel within 5 minutes:
A random code is generated
Random codes:
If you prefer, you can use random codes instead of phone numbers for increased security
To do this: Devices → Smart Locks → Settings → Choose a code format → Random number → Save.
Airbnb masks some guest phone numbers. For these guests, they provide the last four digits of the guest's true phone number to be used for lock codes. If your code length is not four digits, a random code will be used for Airbnb reservations.
Active Code Timing (Buffers)
By default:
Codes activate at check-in
Codes deactivate at check-out
Codes are removed from the lock after deactivation
You can add buffers to:
Allow codes to start before the check-in time
Allow codes to remain active after the check-out time
Example:
Check-in: 3:00 PM
1-hour "before check-in" buffer applied
Result:
Code activates at 2:00 PM
Notifications
Notification settings apply per user. The user who changes the settings receives the notifications.
You can enable notifications for:
Low battery
First code used
Notifications can be sent via:
Email
Push notification
For Schlage, Yale, and August, “first code used” notifications may be inconsistent due to webhook limitations.
Differences Between Smart Lock Integrations
Each integration handles timing and behavior slightly differently.
Yale, August, Schlage, Igloo, Nuki
Codes are sent to the lock 3 days before activation
Codes become visible in the app at that time
RemoteLock (Not currently supported for new locks)
Codes are immediately visible in the RemoteLock app
Still only sent to the lock 3 days before activation
SmartThings
Codes are sent ~30 minutes before activation
Codes become visible in the app at that time
Only supports “always on” codes (no start/end times)
This timing does not affect when guests receive their codes.
Integration-Specific Limitations
Nuki
Codes cannot start with “12”
Codes cannot include “0”
If requirements are not met, a random code is generated
Requires a Nuki Web subscription
Kwikset
Codes are provisioned to the lock 3 days before check-in
Codes created outside of Kwikset (including codes set by Hospitable) are not visible in the app unless connected to the lock via Bluetooth
Codes still function even if not visible
You can still manage codes from Hospitable; the only difference is that you cannot see them
Kwikset limits the visibility of externally created codes. Hospitable cannot convert unmanaged codes into managed ones.
During onboarding:
New codes are created for all reservations
Codes are provisioned 3 days before check-in
KeyNest
Does not support custom pickup codes, so phone-number-based codes are not supported
Codes are always randomly generated
Codes are generated 30 days before check-in
Guest Experience automations can only send the pickup code up to 30 days before the reservation begins. We still recommend keeping your usual timing (e.g., sending it a few days before arrival).
KeyNest keys can only be linked to properties without other smart locks. A property must not have any existing smart-lock integration in order to connect a KeyNest key.