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Knowledge Base

Access Control Mobile Credentials

Smarter Access Control supports mobile credentials, enabling you to use your smartphone to access doors instead of carrying a separate badge or key fob. Using mobile credentials saves time, money, and eliminates the need to manage separate physical credentials, which are easier to misplace or steal. Mobile credentials are exclusively supported by Alarm.com Access Control readers.

Requirements

  • An Access Control account with Alarm.com will require the Mobile Credentials service plan add-on
    • Up to 2,500 mobile credentials maximum per account
  • An Alarm.com Access Control Reader
  • The Alarm.com app downloaded on the user's device
     
    Note: A Mobile Credential user is not required to have a login or be logged into the Alarm.com app.

Assign a mobile credential

Mobile credentials can be assigned using the Alarm.com app or website.

Note: When adding new user credentials, allow 2 minutes after the last user credential change is made for changes to go into effect. When revoking a user's access, the change goes into effect immediately after saving.

  1. Log into the app.
  2. Tap  icn-menu.svg .
  3. Tap User Access.
  4. Tap icn-chevron-down.svg next to Access Plans.
  5. Tap Users.
  6. Add a new user or edit an existing one.
    • To add a new user, tap Add.
    • To edit an existing user, tap  icn-more-h.svg, then tap icn-edit.svg.
  7. Tap Add Credential.
     
    Note: If there are already credentials associated with the user, click Add.
     
  8. In More Options, tap Mobile Credential to set the user's required credentials.
  9. Select either an email or SMS text invitation.
     
    Note: If the user does not have a valid email or phone number, follow the steps to add contact information to the user.
     
  10. Select the Access Plans the user will be a part of from this page. Alternatively, a user can be added to the desired plan on the Access Plans page.
  11. Once an invite has been sent, you will see a banner displaying the status of the mobile credential. You can also select Resend if needed.
  12. For steps on accepting and using a mobile credential invite, see To accept a mobile credential invitation and begin using your mobile credential.

Note: When adding new user credentials, allow 2 minutes after the last user credential change is made for changes to go into effect. When revoking a user's access, the change goes into effect immediately after saving.

  1. Log into the website.
  2. Click User Access.
  3. Click Users.
  4. Add a new user or edit an existing one.
    • To add a new user, click Add User.
    • To edit an existing user, click  icn-more-h.svg, then click icn-edit.svg.
  5. Click Add Credential.
     
    Note: If there are already credentials associated with the user, click Add.
     
  6. Click Mobile Credential to start the Mobile Credential invitation process.
  7. Select either an email or SMS text invitation.
     
    Note: If the user does not have a valid email or phone number, follow the steps to add contact information to the user.
     
  8. Select the Access Plans the user will be a part of from this page. Alternatively, a user can be added to the desired plan on the Access Plans page.
  9. Once an invite has been sent, you will see a banner displaying the status of the mobile credential. You can also select Resend if needed.
  10. For steps on accepting and using a mobile credential invite, see To accept a mobile credential invitation and begin using your mobile credential.

Accept a mobile credential invitation and begin using the mobile credential

A mobile credential invitation and Alarm.com app can be used to begin using a mobile credential.

  1. When the invitation is received, follow the instructions in the invite to download and install the Alarm.com app.

    Email invitation.PNG
     
  2. Once the app is installed and the invite is accepted, a mobile credential screen or a Wallet menu (if the user is logged in to a system) will become available.

    Using your badge.PNG
     
  3. After accepting the mobile credential invitation, allow 2 minutes for access plan processing before attempting to use it on an Access Control door.
  4. Refer to the examples below as there may be a minimum distance requirement depending on the operating system used by your mobile device (i.e., Android or iOS):
    • Android NFC:
NFCLocked.pngNFCUnlocked.png
  • iOS Bluetooth:
     
    BluetoothLocked.pngBluetooth Unlocked.png

Delete a mobile credential

Mobile credentials can be deleted using the Alarm.com app or website.

  1. Log into the app.
  2. Tap  icn-menu.svg .
  3. Tap User Access.
  4. Tap icn-chevron-down.svg next to Access Plans.
  5. Tap Users.
  6. Select the desired user.
  7. Tap Mobile Credential.
  8. In More Options, tap Delete.
  1. Log into the website.
  2. Click User Access.
  3. Click Users.
  4. Select the desired user.
  5. Click Mobile Credential.
  6. Click Delete.

Frequently asked questions

General Questions

Yes. Mobile Credentials can be added or removed using Bulk User Management.

For more information, see Add Access Control users in bulk.

Mobile credentials enable you to use your mobile device to gain entry to an Access Control door with a supported Alarm.com reader.

After accepting the mobile credential invitation, your Android or iOS device can be used by tapping it on the reader just like a physical badge. Make sure NFC (for Android devices) or Bluetooth (for iOS devices) is enabled on your device. For more information about iOS devices, see For iOS. For more information about Android devices, see For Android.

After accepting the mobile credential invitation, allow 2 minutes for access plan processing before attempting to use it with an Access Control door.

No. A mobile credential cannot trigger a double swipe rule.

Yes. A mobile credential can be used in place of a badge for a Badge + Pin requirement.

Note: A mobile credential essentially acts as a card, so you will not be able to use a mobile credential in place of a pin code.

No. Deleting the app will remove the mobile credential from your phone. If the app gets deleted after a mobile credential has been accepted, the administrator will need to delete the user's mobile credential on the website and then resend a new mobile credential invitation.

If a user change phones, their mobile credential will no longer work. The administrator will need to delete the user's mobile credential on the website and then resend a new mobile credential invitation.

For iOS

No. You do not need to open the app when using your mobile credential. However, the app must be running in the background on your device.

No. You do not need to unlock your phone to use your mobile credential as long as the app is running in the background.

  1. Tap the Settings icon.
  2. Tap Privacy.
  3. Tap Bluetooth.
  4. Tap the toggle switch next to the app to enable Bluetooth.

Any version of iOS as long as the device supports Bluetooth.

For Android

No. You do not need to open the app to use your mobile credential. Your mobile credential will continue to work even if you close the app.

No. You do not need to unlock your phone to use your mobile credential. However, if you have Secure NFC enabled, you may need the screen to be turned on for your mobile credential to work.

Certain phone models with Android 10 or higher have a Secure NFC setting which requires the screen to be on for NFC to work.

Any version of Android as long as the device supports either Bluetooth or NFC.

You can still use your mobile credential if your device supports Bluetooth.

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