Setting Up RFID Key Fobs and Cards for Your DoorBird

RFID access lets people unlock your door by tapping a fob or card against the reader instead of entering a code or using the app. DoorBird door stations with an RFID reader can work with two different RFID frequencies, and understanding the difference matters before you buy replacement fobs or try to reuse cards from another building. This article explains both frequencies, walks through registering a new fob or card, and covers what to do when one is lost or stolen.

125 kHz vs. 13.56 MHz — what's the difference?

125 kHz (low frequency)

125 kHz is the older, lower-frequency RFID standard (commonly associated with formats like EM4100 or HID Prox). These credentials are simple, cheap to replace, and read-only — the card just broadcasts a fixed ID number when powered by the reader. Because the data isn't encrypted, 125 kHz credentials are relatively easy to clone with an inexpensive copier, which makes them a weaker choice anywhere security matters more than convenience.

13.56 MHz (high frequency)

13.56 MHz is the newer, higher-frequency standard used by formats like MIFARE and DESFire, and it's what most modern access-control and transit cards use. These credentials support encryption and mutual authentication between the card and reader, which makes casual cloning far harder. If your DoorBird unit's reader supports 13.56 MHz, we generally recommend it over 125 kHz for anything beyond a low-stakes convenience use case.

Many DoorBird RFID-equipped door stations include a dual-frequency reader that can read both types, so you aren't necessarily locked into one — check your specific unit or reader module's specifications if you're unsure which frequencies it supports before purchasing fobs.

Registering a new fob or card

1. Open the DoorBird App and sign in with an administrator account for the door station.
2. Navigate to the device's settings and open the RFID or access-card administration section.
3. Select the option to add a new credential.
4. Hold the fob or card up to the reader on the door station when prompted — the app or device will read the card's unique ID and add it to the list.
5. Label the credential (e.g., "Front desk fob #3" or a resident's name) so you can identify it later.
6. Save. The fob or card should work at the reader immediately, or within a short sync delay depending on your setup.

If your app doesn't have a "scan to add" flow for your specific configuration, some setups allow you to manually enter the credential's ID number instead — this is typically found printed on the card or available from whoever issued it.

Removing a lost or stolen fob or card

Because RFID credentials don't require a PIN to work, losing one is a real security exposure — anyone who finds it can use it until it's deactivated. Don't wait to deal with it.

1. Go to the RFID administration section in the device settings.
2. Find the labeled credential that was lost (this is exactly why labeling fobs when you register them matters).
3. Select delete or remove, and confirm.
4. The credential is deactivated immediately — you do not need physical possession of the fob or card to remove it, since it's the reader's internal list that determines what's allowed, not anything stored on the fob itself.

Afterward, issue the person a replacement fob or card and register it as a new credential rather than trying to reactivate the old one.

Still need help?

If a new fob or card won't register, or a removed credential still seems to work, submit a support ticket and we'll help you sort it out.