Setting Up Seam Smart Locks

Seam is a universal connector that lets Vanio talk to more than 30 smart-lock brands through a single integration — Yale, Schlage, August, Kwikset, Salto, Nuki, Aqara, and many more. If your lock isn't Igloohome, it's probably supported through Seam.

Once connected, Vanio automatically generates a fresh code for every reservation, shares it with the guest at the right moment, and removes it after checkout. Your staff get their own permanent codes for turnovers and maintenance.

What you'll need

• A smart lock already installed and paired with the manufacturer's app (Yale Access, August, Schlage Home, etc.)
• The login credentials for that app
• A WiFi bridge if your lock uses one (most Yale, August, and Schlage locks do)

Step 1 — Connect Seam

1. In Vanio, click Settings → Integrations.
2. Find Smart Locks and click Connect.
3. Pick Seam from the list of providers.
4. A secure popup opens. Choose your lock brand.
5. Sign in with the same email and password you use in the manufacturer's app.
6. Approve the permissions Vanio requests.

The popup closes and you'll see all your locks listed under Settings → Smart Locks.

Step 2 — Attach locks to properties

Each lock needs to be tied to a listing so Vanio knows which guests get which code.

1. Go to Settings → Smart Locks.
2. Click a lock to open its detail page.
3. Under Property, click Assign and pick the listing this lock protects.
4. Save.

You can assign one lock to multiple listings (useful for a building's front door) or attach multiple locks to a single listing (main door plus garage).

Step 3 — Set code timing

By default, Vanio generates a guest code one day before check-in and deletes it at noon on checkout day. You can change this per-listing.

1. Open the listing in Listings.
2. Click the Access tab.
3. Set Code created (e.g. 24 hours before check-in) and Code removed (e.g. 2 hours after checkout).
4. Choose when the code is revealed to the guest — typically after full payment and ID verification.

Guest codes vs staff codes

Vanio manages two kinds of codes on the same lock.

Guest codes are temporary. A new one is generated per reservation, activates at check-in, and is deleted at checkout. Guests see theirs in the guest portal or receive it in their arrival message.

Staff codes are permanent (or scoped to a task window). Cleaners, maintenance, and owners get their own personal code that they keep across jobs. When you add a team member in Settings → Team, Vanio automatically creates a staff code on every lock they have access to.

To view or rotate a staff code:

1. Go to Settings → Team.
2. Click a team member.
3. Under Lock access you'll see every lock they can open and their current code. Click Rotate to generate a new one.

Offline locks and troubleshooting

If a lock goes offline, you'll see a red badge next to it in Settings → Smart Locks, and Vanio will alert you in the inbox.

Common fixes:

• Check the bridge. Most lock brands need a WiFi bridge (a small plug-in device near the door). If it's unplugged or the WiFi is down, the lock goes offline.
• Replace batteries. Low batteries are the #1 cause of failed code pushes. Vanio shows a battery percentage on each lock — replace anything under 20%.
• Reconnect Seam. If the manufacturer's app also can't reach the lock, open the app, fix it there first, then come back to Vanio and click Refresh connection.

If a guest arrives and the code isn't working, Vanio has a safety net: the AI falls back to a pre-set backup code and alerts you instantly.

Common questions

Does Seam cost extra? No. It's included in your Vanio plan. You're only billed for codes actually generated, and those are part of your normal usage allowance.

Which brands are supported? Yale, August, Schlage, Kwikset, Salto, Nuki, Aqara, Lockly, Wyze, TTLock, SmartThings, and more. If you can't find yours, check the Seam provider list during connection.

Can I still use the manufacturer's app? Yes. Vanio and the manufacturer's app can coexist. Codes created manually won't be touched by Vanio.

What about keypad-only locks with no WiFi? For fully offline locks, use Igloohome instead — see the Igloohome setup guide.