CloneMyKey, KeyMe, and KeyCardNinja are among the most popular and widely-used key fob copying services on the internet. You may also be able to order duplicates of certain types of key fobs and key cards by visiting the original manufacturer’s website.
Make sure the information you provide is complete and accurate to the best of your ability.
Some services may also stipulate that their customers be at least 18 years of age. All key fob copying services are required by law to verify the identities of their customers. Doing so prevents unauthorized individuals from stealing and copying keys that don’t belong to them.
Due to technological limitations, not all key fobs will qualify for remote copying. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need to mail it to the company in order to have a new one made. Key fobs with standardized serial numbers are typically easier to duplicate than those without. You’ll find a complete list of compatible models on most companies’ websites.
On average, having a single copy of a key fob or key card made will cost you around $20. Bulk discounts may apply if you order multiple duplicates at one time. If you need your replacement key fob as soon as possible, consider paying a little extra for overnight or expedited shipping.
It’s recommended that you ship your key fob using one of the major certified mail handlers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc. ). That way, you’ll be able to track your shipment both ways.
Upon receiving your duplicate key fob, test it to make sure that it works properly. If it doesn’t, contact the company you ordered it from to see about getting a second replacement or refund.
Rather than risking a wasted trip, save yourself some time and try to find out over the phone whether the locksmith will be able to copy a particular type of key fob. Be prepared to answer any questions the locksmith has concerning the style, model, or serial number of the key you want copied.
Even if your preferred hardware store doesn’t have a key fob-copying kiosk, there may still be a locksmith on staff that can handle the job. Big name hardware stores may refuse to duplicate key fobs other than those that go to private property.
Buying a duplicate key fob straight from the manufacturer can be quite costly. It’s not unusual for a company to charge between $50 and $400, depending on the number of functions the specific model performs. [8] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
A basic handheld RFID unit will run you somewhere between $20 and $50. “RFID” stands for “Radio-Frequency Identification”, which is a fancy term for the process by which electronic key fobs are able to lock and unlock doors.
125khz key fobs are the kind most commonly used to gain access to office buildings and apartment complexes.
Using most RFID copying devices is literally as easy as point-and-click. If you’re trying to copy a key card, hold the strip or chip containing the card’s encoded information against the RFID reader to scan it. [12] X Research source
Test the cloned key fob immediately after copying it to confirm that it works. If not, give it another shot, starting with reading the original key again. You can make as many duplicate copies of your key fob as you like by using the “Write” function on multiple blank key fobs.
