Bluetooth Unlock

Verkada's Bluetooth unlock feature allows users to conveniently & securely unlock doors from their smartphones.

Updated over a week ago

Note: Bluetooth unlock is currently only compatible with Verkada readers.

Command Configuration

Before a user can unlock a door with Bluetooth unlock Bluetooth permissions need to be enabled on the following levels:

Organization level configuration

  1. In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Access.

  2. On the left navigation, click Access Settings.

  3. Toggle on Enable Bluetooth Door Unlock.

  4. (Optional)To have Bluetooth credentials granted by default to all new users, toggle on Auto-Enable Bluetooth for new users.

Site level configuration

  1. In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Access.

  2. From the All Sites dropdown, select a site.

  3. At the top, click Access Settings.

  4. Toggle on Enable Bluetooth Door Unlock.

Door level configuration

  1. In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Access.

  2. From the All Sites dropdown, select a site.

  3. Select a door and click Settings.

  4. Under Verkada Pass, toggle on Bluetooth Unlock.

  5. (Optional) You can configure these Bluetooth settings:

    1. Unlock Proximity

      • Immediate: phone needs to touch the reader (-35 RSSI)

      • Near: Phone needs to be around 2 to 3 ft from the reader (-45 RSSI)

      • Far: Phone needs to be around 7 to 8 ft from the reader (-60 RSSI)

      • Custom: set your own RSSI value

    2. Bluetooth Cooldown is the delay between subsequent Bluetooth unlock attempts from the same phone.

    3. Beep on Bluetooth Unlock will have the Verkada reader beep each time a Bluetooth unlock is attempted.

Note: The distance a phone will unlock a door via Bluetooth depends on multiple factors including the material the reader is mounted on. This can result in varying unlock distances with the same configuration. Hold the phone at the distance you would like to unlock the door and adjust the settings until the unlock succeeds.

User level configuration

Individual user configuration

  1. In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Access.

  2. On the left navigation, click Access Users and Groups .

  3. Select a user and click Profile.

  4. Under Verkada Pass toggle on Bluetooth Unlock.

Bulk user configuration

  1. In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Access.

  2. On the left navigation, click Access Users and Groups .

  3. Select the checkbox next to each user that you want to grant Bluetooth unlock permissions.

  4. In the top right, click Enable Bluetooth Unlock .

  5. When prompted, click Confirm.

Note: An email address is required to enable Bluetooth unlock. If you select a user without an email the bulk enable option will be disabled until the non-email user(s) are deselected.

Verkada Pass Invites

Verkada Pass & Verkada readers are required for Bluetooth unlock. Users must have location sharing “always on” (iOS) and “when in use” (Android) enabled on their respective devices. Bluetooth permissions must be enabled on the user's profile and Bluetooth enabled on the door they are trying to unlock.

Individual Pass app invite

A user is sent an email invite to Verkada Pass when at least one of the following is true:

  1. In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Access.

  2. On the left navigation, click Access Users and Groups .

  3. Select a user and click Profile.

  4. Under Verkada Pass next to Verkada Pass Invite click Send Invite.

Bulk Pass app invite

Multiple users can be invited simultaneously via the Access Users tab

  1. In Verkada Command, go to All Products > Access.

  2. On the left navigation, click Access Users and Groups .

  3. Select the checkbox next to each user that you want to grant Pass app permissions.

  4. In the top right, click Send Pass Invite .

  5. When prompted, click Yes.

Bluetooth OS Permissions

iOS

  • Verkada Pass app needs to be running in the background (in your app switcher, does not need to be in the foreground)

  • Location services need to be “always”

  • Bluetooth permissions need to be on

  • Bluetooth needs to be on

Android Permissions

  • Verkada Pass app notification should be in the notification center (this allows Verkada Pass Bluetooth to work when the app is closed)

  • Location services need to be “Only while app is in use”

  • Bluetooth needs to be on

Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing issues with Bluetooth unlock, try the following:

  • Verify that organization, site, door, and user settings all have Bluetooth unlock enabled.

  • iOS:

    • Verify that Verkada Pass has location set to “always on” and Bluetooth is on.

    • Toggle the Bluetooth permission in the Settings app for the Verkada Pass app.

  • Android

    • Android users may need to reboot their phone after the installation to get the Bluetooth unlock feature initialized.

    • Android Bluetooth is a bit slower than iOS Bluetooth, so users may need to place their phone closer to the reader and keep it there for a few seconds.

    • Disable NFC on that door if you are not using HF cards.

  • Getting keycard denied events when trying to unlock the door with Bluetooth?

    • The phone's NFC chip is being scanned by the HF antenna on the Verkada Reader. This is probably caused by Apply Pay or Google Pay.

      • Are you exclusively using low-frequency cards? If so, disable NFC Card. Unlock to resolve this issue:

      • If you are using high-frequency cards (Mifare or Desfire), it is recommended that you increase the Unlock Proximity to Near (or set a custom Bluetooth Unlock RSSI value that is less than -35 such as -40 or lower):

  • Still not working?

    • Uninstall/reinstall the Verkada Pass app.

    • Reboot your mobile device.

    • Toggle Bluetooth permissions off and on again.

  • Contact Verkada Technical Support if you are still experiencing issues.

Note: Doors will not log Bluetooth unlock events while the door shows as open.


Visit Training Center for bite-sized video tutorials on how to accomplish role-based tasks in Command.

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