Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Nimbio is a gate-agnostic retrofit — it wires in parallel to the same dry-contact input your existing clickers and keypads already use. If your gate operator or electric lock is powered (6.5V–24V AC or DC), Nimbio works with it. No operator replacement required.

Nimbio works with virtually any electric gate operator or access brand — slide and swing operators, magnetic locks, electric strikes, and telephone entry systems all included. This covers LiftMaster, Linear, Ghost Controls, Viking Access Systems, Eagle, Nice Apollo, All-O-Matic, DoorKing (DKS), Mighty Mule, USAutomatic, FAAC Technologies, HySecurity, BFT, Ramset, Topens, and others, all with dedicated wiring-diagram tech support. Legacy operators (Linear, Ghost Controls, and others) are supported with NEMA-rated enclosures for outdoor protection.

If you’re unsure about your specific model, our support team will confirm wiring compatibility before you install. Call 1-800-353-3422.

The Nimbio controller operates on 6.5V–24V AC or DC, which covers the vast majority of commercial gate operators and electronic locks. It draws power directly from your gate operator’s supply — no separate power run is needed.

Yes. Solar-powered gate operators that output 6.5V–24V are fully compatible. Nimbio draws from the same supply as the operator, so as long as the battery/panel keeps the operator powered, Nimbio stays online.

Yes. Nimbio runs in parallel with your existing access hardware. Every clicker, fob, and keypad your key holders have continues to work exactly as before — Nimbio simply adds smartphone access, GuestView, and cloud management on top.

If the gate operator loses power, Nimbio (like the operator itself) will not function unless a battery backup is installed for the gate motor. However, because Nimbio connects over cellular rather than your building’s internet, an ISP outage or Wi-Fi failure has no effect whatsoever — the gate keeps working.

No. GuestView’s video intercom works through the visitor’s own smartphone camera — guests scan a QR code or tap an NFC tag at the gate, opening a secure directory where they select who they’re visiting. The key holder gets a text message with a link, and tapping it starts the video call (one-way by default, or two-way if the key holder turns on their own camera). No camera hardware needs to be mounted at the gate.

Most installations are completed in under an hour. The Nimbio controller wires in parallel to your existing gate operator’s dry-contact input — no trenching, no new conduit, no separate power or internet runs. A technician with basic low-voltage experience can handle it.

We recommend having a licensed professional gate or low-voltage technician install your Nimbio device. Our support team can also work directly with property owners or their personnel if they prefer to install it themselves — call 1-800-353-3422 and a technician will walk you through it.

No. This is one of Nimbio’s biggest advantages over screen-based intercoms and telephone entry systems. Because Nimbio uses cellular, there is no local network connection to run. The controller wires to your existing gate operator terminals and that’s it.

Yes. Dedicated wiring diagrams are available for virtually any operator, including LiftMaster, Linear, Ghost Controls, Viking Access Systems, Eagle, Nice Apollo, All-O-Matic, DoorKing (DKS), Mighty Mule, USAutomatic, FAAC Technologies, HySecurity, BFT, Ramset, Topens, and others. Visit our Help & Support Center for wiring guides, or call support for your specific model.

Yes. Each gate or access point gets its own Nimbio controller. The Virtual Keychain feature brings all of them into a single app view for key holders — they see only the doors they’re authorized for. Controllers are managed independently from the Cloud Portal, so community managers can configure each gate separately.

Our support team is available by phone during business hours to walk you through the installation in real time. Call 1-800-353-3422. We also have a step-by-step installation guide and video tutorials covering common gate types.

Key holders use the free Nimbio app (iOS and Android) to open any gate they’re authorized for with a single tap. They can also open gates directly from Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, so they never need to touch their phone while driving up to the gate.

Yes. The Nimbio app is completely free for key holders to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play. Key holders pay nothing — the property or community subscription covers all access.

Yes. Nimbio integrates natively with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Your gate appears on the car’s dashboard screen — one tap and the gate opens before you even reach it. No phone handling required.

Open the Nimbio app and send a Family Key to any phone number. Your family member gets a notification, downloads the app, and immediately has access. You can revoke any Family Key at any time from the app.

A Recurring Key lets you grant access on a repeating schedule — for example, a housekeeper every Tuesday and Thursday between 9 AM and 5 PM. The key only works during the configured window. It’s ideal for service providers, pet sitters, and other regular visitors. Each use is logged.

A Doorbell Key sends you a push notification every time it’s used, so you know the moment a recipient opens the gate. It’s useful for service providers or any visitor whose entries you want to track in real time.

Yes. The Nimbio app shows live gate status, so you can check at any time whether your gate is open or closed — from anywhere. You’ll also receive push notifications for key activity if you’ve configured them.

If your property has multiple Nimbio-equipped gates or doors (main gate, lobby, amenity gate, etc.), the Virtual Keychain shows them all in a single app view. Each key holder only sees the access points they’re authorized for. One tap opens the right door — no switching between apps or accounts.

Yes. Because Nimbio runs on cellular, you can open your gate, check gate status, send keys, and manage access from anywhere in the world — across town, at the office, on vacation. All you need is a data or Wi-Fi connection on your phone.

Nimbio supports iOS (iPhone) and Android smartphones. The app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Apple CarPlay is available on supported iPhone models; Android Auto is available on supported Android devices.

GuestView is Nimbio’s built-in video intercom system. Visitors at the gate scan a QR code or tap an NFC tag, which opens a secure directory where they select who they’re visiting. The key holder gets a text message with a link; tapping it starts a live video call — one-way by default, two-way if the key holder turns on their own camera — and the key holder can open the gate remotely — from anywhere in the world. No camera hardware is required at the gate.

The visitor’s own smartphone camera is used, but the call itself starts on the key holder’s end. When a visitor scans the QR or taps the NFC tag and selects who they’re visiting, the key holder gets a text message with a secure link — tapping it is what starts the video call, streamed from the visitor’s phone camera to the key holder’s browser. It’s one-way by default (key holder sees the visitor, not the reverse), with two-way available if the key holder turns on their own camera. There is no hardware to install, no camera to maintain, and no vandalism risk from an exposed screen.

Yes. GuestView supports a property directory mode where visitors can browse a list of key holders by name and request access without knowing a specific unit number. The selected key holder receives the video call and can choose to open the gate or ignore the request.

No. GuestView works entirely through the visitor’s mobile browser — no app download, no account, no registration. They scan the QR code or tap the NFC tag and the directory opens automatically.

Yes — this is one of GuestView’s most useful features. GuestView texts a link to your phone wherever you are, and tapping it opens the video call (one-way by default, two-way optional) in your browser. Whether you’re at the office, running errands, or on vacation, you can see your visitor and open the gate from anywhere in the world.

GuestView is a live video stream — one-way by default, or two-way if the key holder turns on their own camera — and it is not recorded or stored. All gate entry events are logged (who was granted access and when), but the video itself is not retained after the call ends.

There are a few ways to let a delivery driver through your gate:

• GuestView live answer: The driver scans the QR code or taps the NFC tag at the gate. GuestView texts your phone a link to a live video call (one-way by default, two-way if you turn on your camera) — tap it to see the driver and open the gate remotely, no matter where you are in the world.
• Access code: Before the delivery, you generate a unique, time-limited access code in the Nimbio app and share it with the courier. At the gate, the driver scans the same QR code (or taps the NFC tag) to open the Nimbio web directory in their browser and enters the code right there. The gate opens, entry is logged, and the code expires automatically.
• Number-Verified Access: On gates where your community has turned it on, a driver with no code can verify their own phone number at the gate and let themselves in — no call or advance code needed.

No. Drivers need no app, no account, and no registration. Scanning the QR code or tapping the NFC tag opens the Nimbio web directory in their phone’s browser — from there they can either start the GuestView video call or enter an access code. Everything happens in the browser; there is no keypad hardware involved.

If you don’t answer the GuestView video call, the driver sees an on-screen message. You can also proactively share a time-limited access code with your courier before the delivery so they have guaranteed access even if you’re unreachable.

Yes. Every gate open event — including GuestView admits and access code uses — is recorded in the access log with a timestamp. Key holders can review the last 7 days from the app; property managers can query any 2-week window on demand from the Cloud Portal. For a longer date range, email [email protected] and Nimbio can pull it for you.

No. Nimbio’s cellular controller has a built-in multi-carrier SIM that connects directly to AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. It automatically selects the strongest available signal. There is no Wi-Fi to configure, no router to maintain, and no ethernet run to install.

Wi-Fi bridges introduce two failure points: your property’s internet connection and your router. If either goes down, so does your gate access. Cellular bypasses both — the controller talks directly to the network. It’s also more secure: there’s no local network for an attacker to probe, and the controller is tucked inside the gate box rather than exposed at the surface.

Yes. Multi-carrier LTE data is fully included in your Nimbio subscription. You never manage a separate SIM plan, activate a carrier, or pay a separate data bill. Cellular coverage is handled automatically.

The Nimbio controller’s pre-installed SIM supports AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile simultaneously, automatically connecting to whichever carrier has the strongest signal at your gate’s location. This multi-carrier approach provides 99.9% uptime even in areas where a single carrier may have gaps. The SIM works internationally too — international customers should contact us to confirm which networks are supported in their region.

Yes, in most cases. As long as any one of AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile has signal at your gate’s location, Nimbio will work. Our team can help verify coverage for your specific address before purchase.

Nimbio’s hardware connects directly to the internet over cellular — not your building’s Wi-Fi — using a pre-installed multi-carrier SIM that automatically selects the strongest signal from AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. This is enough for the vast majority of installs, and an external antenna is not included by default. In the rare case where reception at the gate itself needs a boost, a low-cost external LTE antenna can be added on. This is separate from how residents and staff connect to the Nimbio app: the app runs over the user’s own phone connection, whether Wi-Fi or cellular, independent of the gate hardware’s connection. In locations where a user’s own phone has poor signal, that’s outside what Nimbio’s hardware can fix.

Yes. All firmware updates are delivered over-the-air (OTA) over the cellular connection. Your hardware always runs the latest version with no service calls, no USB connections, and no extra cost.

Management is done through the web-based Nimbio Community Manager portal at community.nimbio.com. When a new key holder moves in, they download the app and request access — the manager approves with one click. When a key holder moves out, their access is revoked instantly from the portal. No physical key collection, no fob reprogramming.

The portal gives managers full visibility and control:

• Approve, suspend, or revoke key holder access instantly
• Review the access log — every gate open, every key used, every timestamp, queryable in 2-week windows on demand
• Group key holders by building, floor, or zone
• Configure hold-open schedules (e.g., open 8 AM–6 PM on weekdays)
• Manage multiple access points from a single dashboard
• Control which key holders have access to which gates

Yes. Multiple community managers can be assigned to the same property with their own login credentials. Role-based access allows you to give staff the visibility they need without exposing sensitive controls.

Yes — instantly. One click in the Community Manager portal revokes a key holder’s entire Nimbio access, including all keys they’ve issued to family or guests. There’s no physical hardware to collect or reprogram. Access ends the moment you click revoke.

Yes. The Cloud Portal supports hold-open scheduling — you can configure the gate to stay open during business hours or a recurring time window (e.g., weekdays 8 AM–6 PM) and automatically return to controlled access outside those hours.

Each gate gets its own Nimbio controller, managed independently from the Cloud Portal. The Virtual Keychain feature groups all access points so key holders see them in one app. Managers can configure each gate separately — different key holder groups, different schedules, different access rules — all from the same portal login.

Yes. The Virtual Keychain’s zone-based distribution lets you assign gate-level permissions per key holder or per home. For example, key holders behind Gate 1 get Gate 1 + the main entrance; key holders behind Gate 2 get Gate 2 + the main entrance; and lobby access can be given to everyone or restricted to specific units.

Shared PIN codes are inherently insecure — they spread uncontrollably, can’t be traced, and can’t be revoked without changing the code for everyone. Nimbio uses encrypted individual credentials tied to a specific phone. Every access event is logged with an identity and timestamp, and any credential can be revoked instantly without affecting anyone else.

All communication between the Nimbio controller, the cloud, and the app is protected by SSL/TLS encryption — the same standard used by banks and enterprise software. Credentials are never transmitted in plain text.

Wi-Fi-based access systems expose your network to proximity attacks — someone near your gate can probe for vulnerabilities in your router or local network. Because Nimbio connects directly to the cellular network, there is no local Wi-Fi attack surface. Additionally, the controller is installed inside the gate operator box, not exposed at the surface, eliminating the vandalism and physical tampering risk that screen-based intercoms face.

The moment a manager revokes a key holder in the Community Manager portal, their Nimbio app loses gate access — including any keys they had issued to family, guests, or service providers under their account. Access is terminated immediately across every device and every key in the chain. Nothing physical needs to be collected.

No. Nimbio access is tied to your phone number and a unique encrypted credential, not just a device. Even if someone had physical access to your phone, they would not be able to replicate your authenticated session on another device. Key holders can also report a lost or stolen phone to their property manager, who can revoke access immediately.

Yes. The Nimbio Cloud Portal maintains a full, tamper-evident access log with every entry event, the identity of who opened the gate, which key type was used, and the exact timestamp. Access data itself is never deleted, but self-service queries from the portal are limited to a 2-week window per request — for a longer date range, email [email protected] and Nimbio can pull it for you.

There are two costs: a one-time $299 hardware purchase for the Nimbio Cellular Controller, and a low monthly subscription that covers cellular data, the full platform, GuestView, Cloud Portal access, and ongoing support. See full pricing details.

The subscription covers everything: multi-carrier LTE cellular data (no separate SIM plan), the Nimbio platform and all features, automatic OTA firmware updates, GuestView, Cloud Portal access, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, app support, and hardware covered by Nimbio’s lifetime warranty. There are no add-on charges for individual features.

For residential properties, the subscription is billed per home (unit), not per individual user. Every member of a household can use the app at no extra charge — adding family members or roommates doesn’t increase your rate. For commercial properties, pricing is based on the number of active users.

Yes. Customers who prepay annually receive one month of cellular service free — effectively a month’s subscription at no cost. Mention this when you request a quote and we’ll include the annual option.

Yes. Every Nimbio controller is covered by a lifetime hardware warranty. If your controller ever stops working for any reason, Nimbio provides a prompt replacement at no additional cost — for the life of your subscription.

No. The $299 hardware cost covers the device. The monthly subscription starts when your device is activated. There are no setup fees, activation charges, or hidden costs.

No. Cellular data is fully included in your Nimbio subscription. The pre-installed multi-carrier SIM is managed by Nimbio — you never need to contact a carrier, activate a SIM, or pay a separate data bill.

Each additional gate or access point is its own Nimbio controller ($299 one-time), added as a line item on your single existing subscription — not a separate subscription. That line item carries a small added monthly charge to cover the new controller’s own cellular connectivity and maintenance. The Virtual Keychain brings all controllers together in one app view for everyone automatically.