Copy Apartment Key Fob

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How to Copy Apartment Key Fob

Having an extra copy of your apartment key fob provides important backup in case you lose your original or need to give access to guests, family members, or service providers when you’re not home. While management typically does not allow unauthorized duplication, there are ways to copy the key fob yourself with some technical skill. Here is a comprehensive guide to copying an apartment key fob.

Overview of Apartment Key Fobs

Apartment buildings and condos often use wireless key fobs instead of traditional metal keys to control access through entry doors and gates. These fobs use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to wirelessly unlock doors when held near the reader.

The fobs are programmed with a unique code that must match the building access system. Most fob keys also have an external numeric or alphanumeric ID printed on them that may need to be registered with building management.

Reasons to Copy Your Apartment Key Fob

Having an extra working fob in your possession allows you to:

  • Get into your home if you lose or forget your original key
  • Give guests and visitors building access when you’re not with them
  • Provide a copy to caregivers, housekeepers, or contractors for flexible access
  • Carry a backup fob on your keychain in case your primary one is lost or damaged

Gather Necessary Materials

To copy your apartment key fob, you’ll need the following supplies:

Original fob – This is source fob programmed for access to your building that will be copied.

Blank fobs – Unprogrammed fobs act as receivers for the original’s code. The number required varies:

  • RFID Cloner Box – Requires 1 blank
  • Fob Copier Devices – May need multiple blanks to get a working copy

Fob copier – A device that can read the original’s RFID code and transfer it to the blank fob. Two options are:

  • RFID Cloner Box – All-in-one cloning machine costing $100-$200
  • Fob Copier Device – Copier tools like Proxmark3 or Chameleon Mini pricing from $200-$500

Prepare Key Fobs for Duplication

Before copying, you must properly access the internals of both your original fob and blank fobs:

  1. Carefully pry open your original fob – Use a thin, non-metallic tool like a plastic spudger. Start along the thinner seam edge, slowly working your way around to pop open the casing. Be gentle to avoid damaging interior circuit boards or antenna coils.
  2. Remove any interior blockers in blank fobs – Similarly, open up each blank fob, removing any factory blocks covering the coil or circuitry that could prevent copying.

With fobs open, you’ll have access to place against the cloning equipment’s antennas for reading/copying.

Step-by-Step Key Fob Duplication Process

While exact duplication procedures depend on your specific copier model, the general clone copying process follows these key steps:

  1. Activate copier machine – Turn on cloning device and launch software interface. For the Chameleon Mini, hold down button while inserting into USB port.
  2. Read original fob – Place open original fob against copier’s reading antenna and trigger reading function in software. Most copiers will indicate successful read of fob code.
  3. Copy data to blank – Take open, cleared blank fob and hold the interior circuit side against the copy antenna/coil. Trigger copy command in software.
  4. Repeat for additional copies – Try multiple blanks, repeating copy command attempts to increase success rate getting a working secondary fob.
  5. Test key fob copies – Verify duplication by holding new copy fobs up to building access readers. Green or red LED will indicate granted or denied access.

Troubleshooting Copy Issues

If your apartment fob copy isn’t granting access, try these troubleshooting tips:

  • Carefully re-read original fob code – Error-free reads ensure full code transfers
  • Attempt copy procedure with multiple blank fobs
  • Check antenna contact and alignment between fobs and clone device
  • Verify copier model compatibility with your fob type
  • Update copier software/firmware to latest version

Registering and Using the Copied Fob

With a working fob copy in hand:

  • You may need to register new the fob ID in building records through management
  • Add copy to your keychain for convenient backup access
  • Provide copies to visitors or service providers as needed

Now you can securely access your apartment even with lost or damaged fobs in the future.

When to Use Professional Fob Copying

While DIY copying is possible for some fob types, you may prefer to have professional assistance:

  • If your fob copy attempts are consistently failing
  • For contactless “proximity” fob formats which are more advanced

Building locksmiths or management staff can also copy chips/codes using specialized equipment for difficult RFID formats. Be aware there are typically fees involved for these duplication services.

With the right devices and careful technique, self-copying your apartment key fob is definitely doable. Just be sure to cautiously handle original and blank units during the process to avoid internal component damage. If you run into any problems with the cloning equipment, don’t hesitate to seek expert help either from consumer technical support or professional services. Just be discreet with building management about making any duplicates.

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