One of the most common questions we hear in-store is: “can all fobs be copied?”
Not all of them, but most. In today’s blog post we’ll explain which key fobs are generally copyable, which ones are not, and why some fobs are restricted.
The goal here isn’t to overcomplicate things. If you’re a tenant, property manager, or building resident trying to understand your options, this should give you a clear picture.
Can All Fobs Be Copied?
No, not all fobs can be copied, but the majority of apartment and condo fobs can.
Most residential buildings use RFID-based key fobs, and many of these are designed to allow duplication for everyday access needs like roommates, family members, cleaners, or backups. These are the types of fobs we copy daily.
However, some fobs are intentionally built with advanced encryption or security controls that prevent copying.
Fobs That Are Usually Challeging To Copy
Highly encrypted fobs are designed to restrict duplication entirely. These often include:
- Advanced encrypted systems
- Proprietary formats controlled by manufacturers
- Systems where credentials are issued and managed centrally by the building
A common example is Kantech fobs, which are typically not copyable due to their encryption and system controls. These fobs are meant to be replaced or issued directly by building management.
This isn’t a limitation of the copying process — it’s a security choice made by the access system provider.
Fobs That Are Copyable at MiniFob
Most standard apartment fobs fall into categories that are copyable, including:
- Low-frequency RFID fobs
- Many high-frequency RFID fobs
- Common condo and rental building access fobs
If you’re unsure about your specific model, the easiest way to check is by using our Key Fob Copy Checker, which shows what we can copy.
This tool helps avoid guesswork before visiting a store.
What About The Encrypted Fobs?
Our FobToronto headquarters can handle a wider range of fobs than some of our MiniFob locations. In some cases, this includes additional formats such as iClass SE, Salto, and other less common models.
That said, even at our headquarters, fully encrypted or restricted fobs (like Kantech) still cannot be copied. If a system is designed to block duplication, no legitimate service should bypass that.
So, Can All Fobs Be Copied?
To summarize:
- Most apartment and condo fobs can be copied.
- Highly encrypted systems (like Kantech) usually cannot.
- Copyability depends on the access system, not just the fob itself.
- You can quickly check compatibility before visiting using our Key Fob Copy Checker.
- Our FobToronto headquarters supports a broader range of fobs than some standard locations.
Questions? Comment or send us a text!
Recent Comments