Smart Devices FAQ

How does Smoobu Smart Devices work?

Smoobu's Smart Devices feature allows hosts to connect and manage supported smart locks directly within Smoobu. If you want to automatically generate secure entry codes, manage guest access, and synchronize lock information across your properties from a single dashboard, this guide explains how the integration works.

What is Smoobu Smart Devices and Seam?

Seam is the secure technology provider behind Smoobu's smart lock integration. It connects Smoobu with a wide range of supported smart lock brands and provides a unified infrastructure to generate access codes, manage guest access, and synchronize lock information across different manufacturers. Instead of requiring you to set up separate direct integrations for every single lock provider, Smoobu uses Seam as a single platform to support multiple smart lock brands seamlessly.

How Billing and Free Trials Work

Availability: The Smart Devices Portal is available for Smoobu Pro users. 

Billing Calculation: Billing is determined by the total number of connected physical smart locks. Each connected lock is billed at €4 per month. This charge is automatically added to your existing Smoobu subscription after your free trial concludes.

Free Trial Window: Your 14-day free trial begins the moment you connect your first smart lock. Simply enabling the Smart Devices Portal within your settings without connecting a device will not start the trial.

Supported Smart Lock Providers

Smoobu supports a broad ecosystem of smart lock brands through Seam, including Salto KS, Yale, August, TTLock, Ultraloq, Akiles, Igloohome, Kwikset, Lockly, Nuki, Schlage, Tedee, Samsung SmartThings, KeyNest, and Wyze. Additional brands are regularly added over time.

Data Privacy and Shared Booking Information

To generate and automate access codes, Smoobu securely shares a limited set of booking information with Seam. Only the data strictly required to create and manage guest access is transmitted.

Information Shared with Seam: Guest name, guest email address (if available), check-in and check-out dates, property information, and booking reference.

Information NEVER Shared with Seam: Payment information, credit card details, guest phone numbers, postal addresses, identity documents, and guest messages or communication history.

Common Questions

Can I assign more than one lock to the same property?

Yes. You can assign multiple locks to a single property. Billing tracks distinct physical locks, meaning a lock shared across properties is only counted and billed once.

Can I choose which locks are connected?

Yes. You remain in complete control of which devices are connected and managed through Smoobu. When new locks are detected, you can choose whether to include them in your Smoobu setup.

Can I connect the same smart lock account to more than one Smoobu account?

No. A smart lock account can only be connected to one Smoobu account at a time. If the account is already linked, additional connection attempts will be blocked.

How are access codes generated?

When a booking is created, Smoobu securely transmits the booking details to Seam. Seam requests the access code from your lock provider and returns it to Smoobu. You can then insert this code into your guest communication templates using the [seamAccessCode] placeholder.

How do guests receive their access code?

Guests receive their access codes via the automated emails you configure in Smoobu. Add the [seamAccessCode] placeholder to your message template, and Smoobu will automatically swap it with the live access code when sending the email.

How do guests receive their access code for a last-minute booking?

For most internet-connected smart locks, codes are created automatically. However, if a booking is made at the last minute, the code might not generate before your automated email goes out. If this happens, we recommend sending the access code to your guest manually once it shows up on your dashboard.

Why do I get an error saying that a guest with this email address already exists? 

By default, the Smart Devices  Portal expects each guest to have a unique email address.  If a returning guest uses the same email address for a new booking, you may receive an error indicating that the guest already exists. To allow returning guests to reuse the same email address, enable the Allow shared email and phone across guests setting.

How to enable the setting

1. Open the Settings tab in the Smart Devices  Portal
2. Scroll down to Number of access methods to create
3. Select Allow shared email and phone across guests
4. Click Save Configuration

Will access codes be created for bookings that existed before connecting a lock?

No. Access codes are only generated for future bookings created after your smart lock is fully connected and assigned to a property. Pre-existing bookings will not receive codes automatically.

What are Offline Codes?

Offline Codes are specialized access codes that work even when a lock is disconnected from the internet. They do not need to be programmed directly onto the lock hardware in advance. Note that Offline Codes are only supported by specific lock providers and hardware models.

Do I need to update my guest messages if I already used locks before?

Yes. To automatically distribute codes through Smoobu, you must update your message templates to include the new [seamAccessCode] placeholder. Once added, Smoobu handles the rest for future bookings.

Where is my data stored?

Smoobu stores all smart lock integration data securely within the European Union. Essential connectivity data is transferred to Seam using encrypted channels solely to manage lock connections and codes.

Why does an old lock show "Code Pending" after being replaced?

When replacing an existing lock, it may take a short moment for your calendar bookings to update. A "Code Pending" status or "Code method is not issued yet" message means a code was requested for the old hardware before it was removed. The system will resolve this automatically once your new hardware finishes its first sync.

How do I disconnect the Smart Devices Portal?

Navigate to the Smart Devices Portal inside your dashboard and click Disable in the top-right corner. Confirm your choice when prompted. Disabling immediately removes all smart lock accounts, stops code generation, and ends associated lock billing.

What happens to my physical locks when disconnected?

Your physical hardware will continue to operate normally for local or manual entries. However, Smoobu will no longer be able to manage codes or synchronize booking data to the devices.