Overview
Backup doorcodes are doorcodes kept ready on the lock in advance. Use one when Portal can't write a new doorcode to the lock — for example, when the lock is offline — and no one is on-site to fix it.
Because a backup doorcode is already stored on the lock, it works the moment you get it. You give it a label, an end date and time, and optionally the people who will use it.
Backup doorcodes are separate from the doorcodes and keycards you create with New Credential. They never appear in the Doorcodes or Keycards lists; the Backup doorcodes window is their only place.
Where to Find It
Go to Doors.
Select the door to open its Door Details page.
Open the Credentials tab and select the Doorcodes subtab.
Click Need a backup doorcode? at the right end of the Doorcodes | Keycards strip.
The link is shown only while the Doorcodes subtab is selected.
Key Concepts
Backup doorcode: A 5-digit doorcode already stored on the lock, ready to be handed out.
Available: A backup doorcode the lock has already received. Only these can be handed out; a code still on its way to the lock is never offered.
Automatic restocking: Each door with a Goki lock keeps a small stock of backup doorcodes (5 by default). When fewer than 3 are left, Portal automatically adds new ones until the stock is full again. (Requires the lock to be online)
Taken: A backup doorcode you've handed out. It starts working immediately and stops at the end you set.
The Backup Doorcodes Window
At the top, a summary card shows how many backup doorcodes are available, with a Get Backup Doorcode button:
"N more backup doorcodes available" — the normal state.
Orange card, "Only N more backup doorcode(s) available" — shown when 2 or fewer are left. Make sure the lock is online; Portal adds new ones automatically once it is.
"No more backup doorcodes available" — none are left, and the Get Backup Doorcode button is hidden until new ones reach the lock.
"New ones couldn't be generated on the lock. Make sure it is online." — Portal couldn't add new codes. Click Try again once the lock is online.
Below the card, the backup doorcodes already taken for this door are listed, newest first — including revoked and expired ones. If none have been taken yet, the list reads "No backup doorcode taken yet".
Getting a Backup Doorcode
Click Get Backup Doorcode.
Enter a Label (required) — for example, the guest's name or the reason.
Set the End date and time (required). It uses the property's timezone and must be in the future.
Optionally, choose who it's Used by (up to 50 people).
Click Get.
The doorcode starts now and works right away. The end you set is written to the lock in the background.
The new doorcode appears at the top of the list, already revealed, with a New badge, and the available count goes down by one.
Viewing & Copying Codes
Backup doorcodes are masked as five dots. Click the eye icon to reveal a code.
Click a revealed code to copy it.
Revealed codes automatically re-mask after 30 seconds.
On properties with the Reveal doorcodes setting turned on, Owners and admins see codes directly, without the eye icon.
Editing a Backup Doorcode
Label: Click the label or its pencil icon, type the new label, then press Enter or click outside to save. Press Escape to cancel.
Users: Click Users… and tick or untick people. Each change is saved immediately.
The end date can't be changed after the doorcode is taken.
Past and revoked backup doorcodes can't be edited.
Revoking a Backup Doorcode
Open the doorcode's three-dot menu and select Revoke.
Confirm by clicking Revoke.
The doorcode stays in the list with a Revoked badge. You can get another backup doorcode at any time.
If the lock is offline: the revoke only takes effect once the lock receives it. Until then, the doorcode may still open the door, and an orange May still open the door badge is shown. The badge disappears once the lock confirms the change. The same applies when a backup doorcode expires while the lock is offline.
Status Icons
Clock icon: The doorcode is waiting for the lock to receive a change. A doorcode you've just taken doesn't show the clock, because it already works.
Red alert icon: The lock couldn't apply a change. Hover to see the reason. Portal retries automatically; once automatic retries have stopped, select Resync from the menu to send it again.
Past: The doorcode has reached its end.
Revoked: The doorcode has been revoked.
Who Can Use Backup Doorcodes
Owners, admins, and team members can open the Backup doorcodes window, get and reveal doorcodes, edit labels and people, resync, revoke, and use Try again.
Installers and housekeeping can't see backup doorcodes.
Troubleshooting / FAQs
Portal: Why don't I see "Need a backup doorcode?"
Make sure the Doorcodes subtab is selected, and check your role — installers and housekeeping don't have access. If the door has no lock installed, the Credentials tab isn't shown at all.
Portal: Why is the Get Backup Doorcode button missing?
No backup doorcodes are available. Make sure the lock is online; Portal adds new ones automatically once it is.
Portal: Why is Get disabled?
Both a Label and a future End are required. An end in the past shows "The end can't be in the past."
Portal: Does the backup doorcode work if the lock is offline?
Yes. It's already stored on the lock, so it works as soon as you get it.
Portal: I revoked a backup doorcode but it still opens the door. Why?
The lock was offline, so it hasn't received the revoke yet. It stops working once the lock is back online. If automatic retries have stopped, use Resync once the lock is online.
Portal: I see "Too many requests" or "Too many reveal attempts."
Several codes were taken or revealed in a short time. Wait a moment and try again.
Portal: Why does a door have no backup doorcodes?
The door's lock may not support doorcodes, or the lock hasn't been online long enough to receive them.
Portal: What happens if the lock is replaced?
When a lock is removed, the Credentials tab is hidden. When a new lock is installed, the taken backup doorcodes are written to it and the stock is refilled automatically.
Related Articles
Portal: Managing Lock Manual Credentials — Door Codes and Keycards