Latch Keycards are recommended for construction projects. They can be assigned to a particular person and programmed with access to specific or all doors on the site with Latch Mission Control.
Contact orders@latch.com to order Latch Keycards for your project.
FABboxx is a third-party product recommended by Latch when mounting to hard surfaces such as concrete, stucco, glass, etc. is required, and when cabling needs to be concealed. FABboxx mounts are integrated into the Latch product line for a streamlined appearance to fit the contours of each product.
Depending on volume, it can take approximately 3-4 weeks for most orders.
You can order directly through FABboxx’s website. For ordering and support needs, please contact their team at info@fabboxx.com or at (707) 652-9696.
Welcome to Latch. Latch is a smart access ecosystem designed around sharing access, managing access, and unlocking access in the fastest and most secure way. This full software and hardware ecosystem was purchased to manage the living space within: common areas (entrance, amenities), tenant’s unit. The Latch ecosystem is made up of Latch Mission Control, a cloud-based access management platform; smart devices, and the Latch App.
This 4-step guide can help you easily get started with Latch to successfully install and program the devices.
Step 1: What do I need for a Latch installation?
Step 2: Mounting the Latch device.
Latch’s access products (M, R, T and C lines) are all designed to be installed and usable offline i.e. without ethernet or wifi connectivity. This is a major benefit to our solution as it means property managers/developers can install our products without having to run internet to all of the devices. There are certain pieces of vital information that do need to be transmitted between the device and our backend in order to ensure devices are performant and that the user list is accurate/secure. There are many of these pieces of information, however for the purpose of this document we will attend to the major ones below.
In order to ensure that daily doorcodes adhere to prescribed windows, scheduled access times are active, and photo/activity logs are active, we need to sync a time stamp down to the device regularly.
In order for managers to understand how much battery is left on their devices and for emails to be triggered for their staff, the backend needs to receive battery info from the device.
The user list is composed of all permanent credentials for all users. It identifies each user, and contains their BLE, NFC, doorcode and Weigand credentials, as well as the credential start/end time. Note: Temporary credentials are daily doorcodes and are not included in this User List.
These are the photos and activity logs of all unlocks performed.
These are logs taken by the device. They live on the device and need to make their way to the backend. These logs will enable triage of support tickets/investigations.
Note: While we do fully support our products in offline mode, it is recommended that there be cellular service or building wifi near each device in order to ensure that these pieces of information are consistently relayed in a timely fashion. If a device is located in a cellular or wifi deadzone, a user can sync their own credentials by opening their app in an area where they have connectivity, however this will not solve for time stamp, battery info, activity logs/photos or system logs which will create issues.
This is a full update of every sync type. Manager App and Latch App do perform slightly different updates however from a user facing perspective they function the same. This is done by opening either app, selecting the door and pushing Update.
Passive Sync is not a user facing feature. It is initiated after each BLE unlock from within the app and performs in the background. It syncs the battery info, time, activity logs/photos, and system logs.
If a user tries to unlock a door for the first time and they are not on the device’s user list then we need to perform a sync in order to add them to it. We do this through Setting Up. Prior to the unlock completing in the latch app, the UX switches to Setting Up. This is a sync type that updates the user list, and time on the device.
If a device is connected to the internet via ethernet/wifi/hub then the device is automatically updated on every change to the user list or every 24 hours (whichever is more frequent) remotely without any sync type intervention necessary.
To add a user to a device, the manager needs to invite them via Mission Control. They will add their name, email and assign them a key as well as a start time and an optional end time. The type of sync most useful for getting this user added to the device depends on their access to credentials.
They will add themselves to the device using Setting Up, or if another user sets up/updates the door before arrival they won’t even have to do Setting Up.
Doorcode only users are not recommended as the only way to get the doorcode is via the app.
Keycard only users will need to have someone i.e. a manager or roommate update the door for them. Only an update, or a setting up will add them to the door.
Note: Connected locks will remove users automatically without need for intervention.
There are a few ways to remove a user from the device.
If the manager adds an end time to the user upon invitation, or afterward then the user will automatically be removed from the door once that end time is hit. This works with BLE, doorcode and keycard credentials.
Note: Any updates to the end time will require the user list be updated. This means app users will have to go through a Setting Up sync if their end time has been changed. For keycard or doorcode users, someone will need to manually perform an Update on the door.
If a manager removes a user’s key or deletes the user entirely then they will no longer see the devices in their Latch App. This means they will be entirely unable to use their app to unlock the door. However, if they’ve been granted a doorcode or keycard, those credentials will still live on the device until the device has been updated via an Update or Setting Up sync.
Note: Connected locks will remove users automatically without need for intervention.
This is the product preferred installation pathway as it ensures the device is on the latest firmware when installed and that an update has occurred in order to set the device’s time stamp.
This is an acceptable installation pathway so long as the installer is tasked with performing a Manager App update on the device itself once physically installed. This is to ensure the battery, and time are in sync as the device is live.
Note: Connected locks do not require the manual update at physical installation as they are automatically updated via IP or Hub.
Due to the need to care for and ensure the functionality of offline devices, it is recommended that building staff always check for firmware upgrades, and perform updates/battery checks when entering a unit. This will ease the need to have to perform these functions outside the normal building cadence.
At a Latch building that wants to give credential optionality to it’s users but also wants to ensure reasonable security at each door, we recommend that property staff not have access to all units all the time. When a unit is vacated it can be added to a maintenance/management key. When added to that key it will be added to each maintenance person’s list. Since they are not currently on the device they will perform a Setting Up when they go to unlock the door. This will fully remove all expired users and add on any users that need to have access during the turnover until a new resident arrives.
Once a new resident leases, the device should be removed from the maintenance/management keys so the resident will go through a Setting Up sync, removing all expired users and adding themselves and their roommates, ensuring that all expired credentials are removed. New residents can be assured that only the right people, per building policy, have access.
Some properties are trying to eliminate all need for onsite staff intervention at the doors. There are a few ways to accomplish this.
Adding an end time for each user and updating on lease renewal. A building will still need to update doors for keycard/doorcode primary users as there is no other link between the backend and the door if the app isn’t being utilized.
Since the app will remove a user’s BLE credential when that user is deleted, the only gap in credentials that requires syncing is doorcodes or keycards. A building can choose to not distribute keycards and disable doorcodes on their residents or on all keys. This will ensure that updates do not need to occur for the user list.
Connected hubs for each device fully empower the building to utilize all credentials and keep all the locks healthy and up to date in real time without need for intervention from management.
1. Collect all necessary hardware and tools
Make sure you have everything you need to fully install the Latch device.
2. Upgrade to the latest version of the Latch Manager app
If you do not update to the latest Latch Manager app, you will receive a network error message when trying to upgrade the firmware of the Latch device.
3. Identify the Latch Administrator for the site
Your access to the Latch device being installed expires after 24 hours of being activated with firmware. If you need access beyond 24 hours, the Latch Administrator will be able to provide the necessary credentials.
4. Prepare the door and wires prior to Latch device installation
The cutouts, wires, and locking hardware will allow you to properly mount and test the Latch device.
Installing a Latch device is a two step process. You must first mount the hardware, in which we will explain in this section of the Get Started guide. Once the mounting is successfully completed, the second step is to activate the hardware by programming the device. This will be explained in Step 3.
1. Find the installation guide for:
Each Latch device has a specific method of set up to be properly activated.
2. Review installation best practices
See our tips for a smooth installation. We have worked with many installers and have consolidated a list of tips to help you more easily achieve the ideal Latch device installation.
This step is important when installing the Latch device. Unlike a traditional mechanical lock, Latch devices need to be activated with the latest software and on-boarded to the Latch Cloud, the cloud-based management platform, which enables all smart features (e.g. smartphone, Doorcode, and Keycard unlock).
1. Review activation best practices
See our tips for ensuring a smooth activation.
1. If you come across installation problems, refer to Latch R, Latch M, Latch C and Latch C2 toubleshooting guides.
Latch devices are designed and built for easy installation, however, sometimes there are minor details that may have been missed. The troubleshooting guide is meant to help you quickly identify the issue and solution.
2. Contact Latch for support
If you cannot identify the issue and solution in the troubleshooting guides, we are here to help. Please reach out to support@latch.com.
Congratulations – you have completed the full installation of the Latch device. Now that it’s ready, hand it off to the property manager.
1. Notify the property managers, and they can refer to 'Setting up Latch for your property' for more information.
Handing off the Latch device to the property manager officially completes your project.
There are certain number of requirements that are needed to use the full set of features of Latch’s products as listed below. The full features and availability of Latch’s Products and Services will depend on (i) your computer, mobile device, wiring in your building or home (as applicable), WiFi network, Bluetooth connection, and other related equipment; (ii) your Internet service provider (“ISP”); and (iii) your mobile device carrier (“Mobile Carrier”). You acknowledge that you are responsible for all fees charged by your ISP and Mobile Carrier in connection with your use of the Services. You also acknowledge that you are responsible for compliance with all applicable agreements, terms of use or terms of service, and other policies of your ISP and Mobile Carrier. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all required system elements and that they are compatible, up-to-date, and properly configured. You acknowledge that the Services may not work as described when the requirements and compatibility have not been met.
Designed to be operable without a persistent internet connection, Latch M and Latch C only require sufficient battery power, Latch Manager, and the Latch App to be managed. To unlock, you need a Keycard, Doorcode, a smartphone running the Latch App, or a mechanical key. To install, you’ll need the Latch Manager App.
While the Latch R is recommended to be connected directly to the internet for buildings over 25 units, a persistent internet connection is not required to update or unlock the device. Instead it can function similarly to Latch M & C as long as you have a smartphone running the Latch App and Latch Manager in order to manage access. To unlock, you need a Keycard, Doorcode, or a smartphone running the Latch App. To install, you’ll need the Latch Manager App.
Direct internet connection via WiFi, or Ethernet, is required for automatic and real-time updates.
Latch Manager is a responsive web app that is required in order for property managers to manage Latch in their building.