# FreshBuzzer ## Getting Started: What is FreshBuzzer? # What is FreshBuzzer? **FreshBuzzer** is a service that provides additional functionality for your existing apartment buzzer. Most intercoms use the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to call your cellphone or landline when someone rings your doorbell. If you receive your buzzer calls on a public phone number, FreshBuzzer will work in your building — and without any hardware modification! ## Call Forwarding While your existing intercom does call you, it most likely has two major limitations: 1. It won't call more than one phone number — that's a bummer when you don't live alone. 2. It likely won't dial *long distance* calls — a relic from the past that really blows when you've moved from out of town. FreshBuzzer lets you set up one or multiple forwarding phones, either sequentially or in parallel, without worrying about local calling areas. ## Unattended Access FreshBuzzer offers different forms of *unattended access* depending on your preferences: - **Secure Access Codes** — 4–8 digit codes for friends, family, pet sitters, and package deliveries. Set validity windows and recurring schedules. - **Party Mode** — Enable for a short time frame (1–4 hours) and FreshBuzzer will automatically buzz in everyone. Stops automatically when the time is up. - **Auto Buzz** — A permanent version of Party Mode, recommended only in safe environments. ## Short-term Rental Access FreshBuzzer can automatically create *Secure Access Codes* for your bookings from Airbnb & Co and synchronize them with your smart locks. One common approach: use the last 4 digits of a guest's phone number as their door code. > Short-term rental features are only available on the Professional Plan. --- ## Getting Started: How to create an account # How to create an account It is FREE to create an account and explore FreshBuzzer - only pay when you are ready to use FreshBuzzer in your building. Welcome and happy to have you! The quickest and easiest way to start is filling out the *new account* form at [https://freshbuzzer.com/join](https://freshbuzzer.com/join) - here you can also enter your *referral code* if you have one. After signing up you should receive an email to verify your account. It might take a minute to arrive and hopefully doesn't end up in your spam. Once you got it, please click the link inside to verify your email address. In the meantime you can **start exploring** FreshBuzzer and set up a call-forwarding number or enable one of the unattended access options such as Party Mode or Auto Buzz. Now it is time to see FreshBuzzer in action by using the **Test Call** feature linked at the top of the page. Clicking the phone button simulates someone ringing your buzzer and will place a call directly from your browser to your FreshBuzzer account. While it rings, FreshBuzzer receives your call and looks up your personal configuration. Do you have Auto Buzz or Party Mode enabled? Then you will get buzzed in. Do you have Secure Access Codes set up? Then you will get prompted to enter them. Do you have call-forwarding set up? FreshBuzzer will actually call your phone/s! Keep playing around and find your ideal set up. If you have questions, get in touch. If you're itching to get FreshBuzzer into your building, read more about getting your phone number. --- ## Getting Started: How do I choose the right phone number? # How do I choose the right phone number? More than anyone should ever know about local calling areas. In the days of unlimited nationwide call & text plans it is easy to forget the old days of long distance call fees. Unfortunately building intercoms are stuck in these old days because - well not sure why, maybe because they are just that old?! Most people know about the so called **area code**, that is the first 3 digits of their phone number. The official name is *Numbering Area Plan* (NPA) code. E.g. *604* is the original Vancouver area code, assigned in 1947. While back then the area code was used in the whole province, it was split in 1997 into *604* and *250* which then also wasn't enough and *236* was added in 2013 and *672* in 2019. That leaves us now with so called *overlay* area codes of *236/604/672/778*. Unfortunately having the same area code doesn't mean the call will be classified as *local call*. But luckily there is also local calling between different area codes as some are exhausted and it is almost impossible to get phone numbers in specific area codes. In order to determine local calling we also need the next 3 digits, called **central office code** or exchange code (NXX). Using the NPA-NXX, e.g. 778-200 we can determine the exact exchange and look up all other exchanges - and their NPA-NXX - that are considered to be within the local calling boundaries. If all that sounds way too complicated (because it is), you can simply ask FreshBuzzer to find available phone numbers within local calling of a specific phone number. Head over to our [local number search](https://freshbuzzer.com/search/caller) and enter your building's phone number, aka caller ID, and you should get guaranteed local phone numbers! However, if you are moving to a new building and don't know their phone number yet, you can also use the [location based search](https://freshbuzzer.com/search/location) which shows phone numbers within local proximity of your building based on your postal code. Should you encounter any issues with your phone number or still need any kind of help, send a quick message and we'll get you sorted. --- ## Call Forwarding: Forward calls to multiple phones # Forward buzzer calls to multiple phones! Connect multiple phones and easily manage when to forward calls. Some people live alone in an apartment, but many don't! If you share your home with roommates, a partner, or family you will likely want to have multiple household members the ability to buzz people in. In the **Call-Forwarding** settings you can **add up to 5 phone numbers** to receive your buzzer calls. When forwarding to multiple phones, you can choose between *parallel* and *sequential* call forwarding. As the name suggests, parallel will call *all* your phone numbers at once and then connect the call to the first person to answer. *Sequential* will one-by-one call the phone numbers until someone picks up. For more information read [Sequential vs Parallel Call-forwarding](https://help.freshbuzzer.com/docs/call-forwarding/sequential-vs-parallel). Additionally you can easily enable and disable the forwarding to a specific phone number with the click of a button. Especially useful when someone is going out of town for a few days. Another great way to customize call-forwarding to your specific needs is to set a schedule for all or some of the call-forwarding numbers. E.g. if your partner would only like to buzz people in after work and weekends, you could add a schedule of Mo/Tu/We/Th/Fr 4pm-10pm and Sa/Su 8am-11pm. --- ## Call Forwarding: Sequential vs Parallel forwarding # Sequential vs Parallel Call-forwarding Find out what's best for you! On most buzzer systems, you will only be able to receive buzzer calls on one phone. That is because it is very simple to do. But not great when your phone is dead, you're in a meeting or you maybe just missed the call. With FreshBuzzer you can receive your buzzer calls on multiple phones... and you can choose who will be called first! With **parallel** calling all registered phone numbers will be called as soon as the buzzer rings. Whoever picks up first, gets connected to your guest at the intercom and all other calls will hang up. This configuration is very useful when everyone would like to answer the door. With **sequential** calling all registered phone numbers will be called one at a time until one of them picks up. If the first one in line picks up, great! If not, the next one is up! This configuration is very useful when usually one person likes to handle the buzzer duty and others are just a backup - or if you still do have a landline at home that you'd like to ring first and your cell phone(s) next. Please note that intercoms generally don't let the call ring very long. Therefore sequential calling does not wait a very long time for each person to pick up before trying the next one. For both options you can also quickly *disable* one or more call-forwarding numbers to temporarily skip them in the calling sequence. Great when someone is going to be out of town for a couple of days! --- ## Call Forwarding: Skip voicemail with Call Screen # Skip voicemail with Call Screen Some phones send unanswered calls to voicemail after only a couple of rings - not much time for you to grab your phone when the buzzer rings. Without Call Screen, if voicemail picks up before you do, your guest gets connected to a recording instead of you, with no way to get buzzed in. **Call Screen** fixes this. When your phone answers a buzzer call - whether it's you or your voicemail - we play a short prompt asking whoever answered to press any key. A person hears the prompt and presses a key right away. Voicemail can't, so we know it's not really you, hang up that call, and move on to the next number in your call-forwarding list (or let the guest know nobody's available, if it was the last one). Enable it from **Call Handling** settings, under **Call Screen**. It adds a brief prompt before every buzzer call connects, so it's worth turning on if your phone tends to ring for only a moment before voicemail takes over, or if you'd rather guests never accidentally end up talking to a recording. --- ## Unattended Access: Secure Access Codes # What are Secure Access Codes? Securely grant friends, family and visitors access to your place. **Secure Access Codes** are one of the corner stones of FreshBuzzer. Since many buildings have an intercom system with a number dial pad, it is technically possible to send *dial tones*, i.e. press number buttons, during the call - just as you do when fighting your way through a call center menu. If you choose to set up any Secure Access Codes, FreshBuzzer will prompt your visitor to enter theirs once they ring your buzzer. If they don't have one, they can choose to just wait to call you (assuming you have Call-forwarding set up as well). So how exactly does it work? - Your guest enters the code for your unit at the intercom and it starts ringing - FreshBuzzer will prompt for the guest's code - If they enter their code correctly, they will get buzzed in! - If they enter a wrong code or their code is not currently valid, they can try again. - If they don't enter a code, FreshBuzzer will continue with Call-forwarding depending on your configuration ## What if my building does not have a number pad? In this case your guests won't be able to enter their code by key pad. You can try using the *speech recognition* option, but the accuracy depends a lot on the call quality and ambient noise. ## Why does FreshBuzzer call my phone when I'm entering a code? Unfortunately many building managers seem to disable the capability of entering numbers on the key pad once the call has started. Unless you are able to convince them to turn it back on, it is like not having a number pad at all (see above). ## Are there any other ways for guests to enter their code? Yes! Besides *speech recognition* there are also *Access Code Links* and *Access Code Pages*. These are web pages, hosted by FreshBuzzer where your guests can enter their code **before** ringing your buzzer. The downside is that they will need an internet capable device, have the correct link and need to remember to enter their code before ringing the buzzer. --- ## Unattended Access: Party Mode # Party Mode When you are expecting guests and have your hands full... let FreshBuzzer take care of buzzing them in. **Party Mode** is the predecessor of [Auto Buzz](https://help.freshbuzzer.com/docs/unattended-access/auto-buzz). It allows you to automatically buzz in anyone without lifting a finger or sharing any secret codes. It is perfect when you are still putting the finishing touches on for dinner or are already entertaining the first guests. Simply set the duration, e.g. 4 hours, and FreshBuzzer will buzz in your guests and return to your regular Call-forwarding and Secure Access Code configuration after. --- ## Unattended Access: Phonetic Access Codes # Phonetic Access Codes Phonetic access codes are a voice-input option where guests say **words** instead of numbers. Rather than speaking digits like *"4 2 7 1"*, your guest says something like *"Maple Kiwi"* — clearer, more memorable, and much harder to confuse over a noisy intercom call. Each letter maps to a distinct word from a friendly phonetic alphabet (A = Amber, B = Baker, K = Kiwi, M = Maple, and so on). Codes are 2–4 letters long. ## How do they work? When your buzzer rings: 1. FreshBuzzer prompts your guest to say their code 2. The guest speaks the words (e.g. *"Tiger Ocean"*) 3. If recognized and valid, they are buzzed in immediately The flow is the same as numeric voice codes — only the format changes. ## Setting up a phonetic code When creating or editing a Secure Access Code, select **letters** instead of numbers for the code. FreshBuzzer will generate a random code for you, or you can type your own 2–4 letter combination. ## Tips for best results - Short codes (2 words) are easiest for guests to remember and say clearly - Let your guest know to say the **words**, not the letters (e.g. *"Jungle Ocean"*, not *"J O"*) - If recognition fails, guests can try again — just like with any voice code --- ## Unattended Access: Auto Buzz # Auto Buzz When all else fails... **Auto Buzz** is FreshBuzzer's most powerful feature. Not because it is complicated, but because it isn't. Auto Buzz simply buzzes in anyone who rings your buzzer - always! Just like that guy on the third floor who never checks who is actually ringing even when he doesn't expect anyone. With great power comes great responsibility. Use this feature carefully as it does decrease security. A great alternative to Auto Buzz is [Party Mode](https://help.freshbuzzer.com/docs/unattended-access/party-mode), which is similar but automatically turns off after a preset amount of time - great for dinner parties or other occasions where you expect a lot of guests in a short time. --- ## Unattended Access: Access Code Web Pages # Access Code Web Pages No keypad? No problem. Some buildings disable keypad input once a call starts, making it impossible for guests to enter a Secure Access Code the usual way. **Access Code Web Pages** solve this by letting your guest activate their access from any phone or browser - before ringing the buzzer - so FreshBuzzer can buzz them in automatically when the call comes in. There are two kinds of access code web pages: **Access Code Links** and **Access Code Pages**. Both work the same way from the guest's perspective, but they differ in how access is identified. ## Access Code Links An **Access Code Link** is a personal URL tied to a single Secure Access Code. The guest does not need to enter any code - they just open the link and tap **Gain Access Now**. **Setting one up:** 1. Open any Secure Access Code and edit it. 2. Check the **Access Code Link** checkbox. 3. A unique link appears - copy it and share it with your guest (text, email, etc.). The link is permanent and specific to that access code. Unchecking the box disables the link without deleting it; re-checking restores the same URL. **How your guest uses it:** 1. Open the link on their phone. 2. Tap **Gain Access Now** - do this *before* ringing the buzzer. 3. Ring the buzzer and get buzzed in automatically. ## Access Code Pages An **Access Code Page** is a unit-level URL shared with all guests for that unit. Instead of a pre-filled personal link, guests type in their Secure Access Code on the page and then tap **Gain Access Now**. This is useful when you want to share a single URL for the whole property (e.g. posted in a welcome guide or pinned in a chat) and let each guest use their own code. You can also include a custom message that appears on the page. As a shortcut, guests can append their code as a URL fragment (`#1234`) to pre-fill the field automatically. ## When access is not granted Both pages show a **No Access** warning if: - The access code is disabled by the host. - The valid dates have not started yet, or have already passed. - The access code has a schedule and the current time falls outside it. ## Is it secure? Each link and page URL is unique and unguessable. Activation is temporary - if a guest taps the button but does not ring the buzzer in time, they simply tap it again. You can revoke access at any time by disabling the access code. --- ## Unattended Access: Open Key # Open Key Every building is different. Tell FreshBuzzer how to buzz in your guests so you don't have to. *Secure Access Codes*, *Party Mode*, *Auto Buzz*, etc. - they all buzz in your guests automatically without calling you. But how does that work?! By default FreshBuzzer will simulate pressing **6** and **9** which are the two most common keys to buzz in your guests. However, some buildings need you to press a different number or even multiple. Simply add them in the [Open Key](https://freshbuzzer.com/home#open-key) section and FreshBuzzer will take care of the rest. --- ## Unattended Access: Stealth Mode # Stealth Mode Normally FreshBuzzer talks to whoever rings your buzzer: it prompts for an access code, confirms when a code is accepted, and explains when something goes wrong. Stealth Mode removes all of it. The call is answered, everything works exactly as before, but nothing is ever spoken. The point isn't just to avoid mentioning FreshBuzzer by name - it's that a synthesized voice of any kind gives away that an automated system is handling the buzzer. Stealth Mode keeps that invisible. :::info Beta Stealth Mode is in beta. There is no toggle in your settings yet, so [get in touch](https://freshbuzzer.com/contact) if you'd like it switched on for one of your units. The details below may still change. ::: ## What your visitor hears Nothing, in the normal case. No greeting, no prompt, no confirmation - just an open line while FreshBuzzer waits for a code or rings your phone. There are two exceptions, both short tones rather than speech: | Situation | What plays | |-----------|------------| | The code entered was wrong or no longer valid | One short tone | | The unit has no access codes and no forwarding numbers set up | Two short tones, then the call ends | A tone reads as buzzer hardware rather than software, so your visitor gets just enough feedback to know something didn't work. ## What this means for your guests **Tell your guests their code in advance, along with when to enter it.** This matters more than usual: there is no prompt asking them for it, so a guest who doesn't already know what to do will simply stand there in silence. A line in your check-in message is usually enough. Everything else behaves normally: - Codes are still accepted and still open the door - Call forwarding still rings your phone - Your [Open Key](https://freshbuzzer.com/home#open-key) is still sent to buzz people in - [Smart lock automation](https://help.freshbuzzer.com/docs/short-term-rentals/smart-lock-automation) still runs ## What you still hear Stealth Mode only affects the person at the door. If you use the call screen, you still hear the usual prompt asking you to press a key before the call connects - that plays on your phone, not at the buzzer. ## When to use it Stealth Mode suits buildings and hosts who would rather visitors not know how the buzzer is answered. It's a good fit if your intercom is shared with neighbours, or if you simply prefer the buzzer to feel like part of the building. If you'd rather guests be guided through entering a code, leave Stealth Mode off - the spoken prompts do a lot of work for first-time visitors. --- ## Short-term Rentals: Professional Plan # Professional Plan What is it and who is it for? FreshBuzzer initially started to support residential tenants to get more out of their apartment buzzer. But it became quickly obvious that Short-Term Rental Properties in multi-tenant buildings can benefit from it just as much - or even more! You are welcome to use FreshBuzzer on the regular plan for STRs, but if you'd like to take advantage of the following features you will need to upgrade to the Professional plan: - [Multiple properties](https://help.freshbuzzer.com/docs/short-term-rentals/multiple-properties) in a single account - [Booking Sync](https://help.freshbuzzer.com/docs/short-term-rentals/booking-sync) - [Check-in Notifications](https://help.freshbuzzer.com/docs/short-term-rentals/check-in-notifications) - [Smart Lock Automation](https://help.freshbuzzer.com/docs/short-term-rentals/smart-lock-automation) Any questions? Check out our [short-term rentals page](https://freshbuzzer.com/short-term-rentals) or open a ticket :) --- ## Short-term Rentals: Booking Sync # Booking Sync Syncing the booking calendar for your properties will automatically set up guest access in FreshBuzzer. Most booking platforms, e.g. Airbnb, and host management tools, e.g. HostTools.com, allow you to export your bookings as a calendar. FreshBuzzer can then subscribe to this calendar and automatically set up Secure Access Codes or Call-Forwarding for your guests for the duration of their stay. Unfortunately the detailed information shared for each booking depends on what each platform is willing to share. This does mean that not all Booking Sync features of FreshBuzzer are available for all booking platforms. Here are the currently supported platforms: - Airbnb - Guesty - Hospitable - HostAway - Hostex - HostTools - IGMS *If your platform is not listed, please reach out and share your calendar link - if the required information is present it can be added very quickly.* Let's dive into each part of the booking, what it is used for, and which platforms are supporting it. **Booking Dates** — Obviously the check-in and check-out dates are the most important for each booking and luckily *all* calendars provide this information. But only some platforms include the time for check-in and check-out. If they don't, you have to specify it when setting up the sync. **Guest Name / Reservation Number** — This isn't fully necessary, but makes it easier when looking at your bookings in FreshBuzzer. Most calendars include either the guest name, the reservation number, or both. You can always change the booking name later. **Phone Number** — The phone number is critical when setting up Call-Forwarding for your guest. But also Secure Access Codes are automatically based on the guest's phone number by choosing the last 4 digits as their code. This allows you to keep your guest communication generic and tell them: "The last 4 digits of your phone number is your door code." The following platforms provide the guest's full phone number: - Hospitable - HostAway - Hostify - HostTools - IGMS **Phone Number - Last 4 Digits** — For privacy reasons some platforms do not share the guest's full phone number, but they do share the last 4 digits. This is specifically to enable the "last 4 digits is your code" mode of operation. Unfortunately this means that these providers do not work with Call-Forwarding. The following platforms provide the **last 4 digits** of the guest's phone number: - Airbnb - Guesty ## What if my platform doesn't provide enough information? If the booking details don't provide enough information, FreshBuzzer will still sync the guest's booking with the available data. You will then receive an email to fill in the missing information, e.g. the phone number for Call-Forwarding or the code for Secure Access Codes. ## What if my platform is not listed at all? You can still enter the calendar URL into the booking sync and see what information FreshBuzzer is able to pull. Most likely FreshBuzzer will recognize individual calendar events and be able to at least set up the booking with the correct dates. --- ## Short-term Rentals: Multiple Properties # Multiple Properties Manage multiple properties in a single account. Do you have multiple STR properties? Bring them all to FreshBuzzer! Simply add each unit to your account, assign it a phone number and you're good to go. --- ## Short-term Rentals: Check-in Notifications # Check-in Notifications Rest assured knowing your guests have arrived and checked-in successfully. FreshBuzzer offers text and email notifications for up to 3 recipients when your guest checks in. The notification will be sent when they use their code for the first time (or receive the first buzzer call) and not for any subsequent events. Please note that this only means they arrived to the building and their front door access worked. It does not guarantee that they were able to find their way to the unit, take the elevator to the right floor, unlock the smart lock etc. --- ## Short-term Rentals: How FreshBuzzer generates guest codes # How does FreshBuzzer generate codes for my guests? FreshBuzzer currently supports two methods of automatically creating codes. FreshBuzzer can automatically sync all your guest's stays from your booking calendar(s). Depending on the information available for each booking you can choose between the following options: - Generate codes based on the guest's phone number (last 4 digits) - requires phone number or 4 digits to be published in the calendar - Generate random codes Option 1 of using the last 4 digits of the phone number is often the preferred option as it can be easily added to automated guest communications. However, should the phone number or last 4 digits not be available - or if you prefer random codes for additional security - FreshBuzzer will generate one for each guest automatically. You can then share that code with your guest, which is especially useful if you have some other manual steps for each booking as well (e.g. signing of an agreement, house rules etc). *Note: If you have a smart lock integrated with your Host Management System and it automatically generates and communicates a code there, please reach out. FreshBuzzer would like to offer pulling codes directly from smart locks.* --- ## Short-term Rentals: Smart Lock Automation # Smart Lock Automation Available for most smart lock vendors. If you run a Short-term Rental with automated check-ins, you might have a smart lock installed on your apartment door. Wouldn't it be great to have all guest access codes automatically added to the lock so they don't get confused with multiple codes? FreshBuzzer integrates with [Seam](https://seam.co) to automatically manage most commercially available smart locks. You can connect your locks via Seam on the [Account page](https://freshbuzzer.com/account#smart-locks) and assign each lock to a property. When setting up a [Booking Sync](https://help.freshbuzzer.com/docs/short-term-rentals/booking-sync), FreshBuzzer will automatically sync the codes for the booking's duration to the smart lock. You will see a little lock icon showing next to the guest's name in the Secure Access Codes section. --- ## Account Management: Manage access for multiple users # Manage access for multiple users Sharing access to your account securely makes your life easier. Whether you live together with someone else or you manage a short-term rental with a team of folks - you can share access to your account easily. Visit the [Memberships section](https://freshbuzzer.com/account#memberships) on your account page to create or manage invites as well as existing memberships. There are currently two different roles available: - `owner`: can manage the whole account including billing and account deletion - `member`: can manage all properties but cannot access billing or delete the account --- ## Mobile Apps: Get the app on your phone # Get FreshBuzzer on your phone FreshBuzzer works fine in any mobile browser, but the app adds one thing a browser tab can't always guarantee: notifications that reach you the moment something happens at your door - when an access code is used, when Auto Buzz lets someone in, or when your smart lock opens. ## iPhone & iPad The iOS app is in open beta through [TestFlight](https://testflight.apple.com/join/hSuCPdHK), Apple's free beta-testing app. It's the same app that will eventually land in the App Store. Beta builds expire after 90 days, so update from TestFlight when yours does. ## Android The Android app is a direct download from us - no Play Store, no account, no tracking. It checks for updates once a day and updates itself, so you won't need to come back for new versions. ## Do you need the app? No. Everything the app does is also available in your mobile browser, including notifications. The app is there if you'd rather have an icon on your home screen and notifications that behave like every other app on your phone. Visit [freshbuzzer.com/apps](https://freshbuzzer.com/apps) to download. --- ## FAQ: Will FreshBuzzer work in my building? # Will FreshBuzzer work in my building? In general FreshBuzzer works in all buildings that have a phone based intercom system - unfortunately not the hardwired phones, but anywhere where a **phone number** is involved. Additionally many intercoms restrict calls to local phone numbers. While FreshBuzzer always gives you local phone numbers it is A) not always possible to determine local calling without knowing the building's phone number and B) there are areas where our phone service provider might not have any local phone numbers available. --- ## FAQ: Is FreshBuzzer secure? # Is FreshBuzzer secure? Yes, FreshBuzzer is **at least as secure as your current buzzer system!** Make sure you only connect FreshBuzzer to phone numbers you trust - all your connected numbers can answer the call and open the door with the push of a button. Use a strong and unique password (ideally using a password manager) to secure access to your account. FreshBuzzer is storing all passwords securely using the best available technology. We also do not process or store your payment information - it is processed exclusively by our trusted payment provider [Stripe](https://stripe.com). --- ## FAQ: Do you have a referral program? # Do you have a referral program? Yes, we launched our Referral Program on May 1st 2024. The referrer and referee both receive a $5 credit after the referred user has spent $10. The credits will be applied automatically. You can find your referral code and all active & pending referrals on [your account page](https://freshbuzzer.com/user/referrals). Make sure your referral either uses your referral link OR enters the referral code in the sign up form. --- ## FAQ: How many calls or minutes are included? # How many calls or minutes are included? There is **no limit on the number of calls or minutes** for your FreshBuzzer number. However, each call is currently limited to 5 minutes - at that point you should probably be a good host and invite your guest in. We also monitor general usage across the platform and reserve the right to disable certain numbers and/or accounts if we suspect abuse. We will try to contact the account owner before taking any action. --- ## FAQ: Do I need internet on my phone? # Do I need internet access on my phone? **No**, FreshBuzzer works by calling your phone old-school via a **regular phone call**. That way we can support landlines and mobile phones alike and all you need is phone service. However, if you do have internet access you can log into your account any time to configure your FreshBuzzer number. --- ## FAQ: Is there an iOS/Android app? # Is there an app for iOS/Android? Yes! iOS is available as a TestFlight beta and Android as a direct download, both with push notifications for access codes, Auto Buzz, and smart lock activity. See [Get the app on your phone](https://help.freshbuzzer.com/docs/apps/getting-the-app) for details, or the website works perfectly fine on mobile browsers if you'd rather skip installing anything. --- ## FAQ: Does my subscription renew automatically? # Does my subscription renew automatically? Yes, your subscription will renew automatically **at the end of your billing cycle - monthly or yearly** - to keep your account active. You will need a valid form of payment, e.g. credit card, to successfully renew your subscription. Of course you will receive an email to **notify you prior to the renewal** and you have time to decide whether to cancel or continue using FreshBuzzer (hopefully the latter). --- ## FAQ: Can I cancel anytime? # Can I cancel anytime? **Yes.** No matter if you choose monthly or yearly billing, you can cancel anytime and won't be charged for your next billing cycle. Your account and all functionality of FreshBuzzer will be **available until the end of your current billing cycle.** Cancelling won't issue any refunds for the remaining time of your current subscription. --- ## FAQ: Can I get a refund? # It doesn't work - can I get my money back? **Absolutely!** If anything isn't working, please reach out as soon as possible and describe what is not working. We'll do our best to get everything right, e.g. get you a different phone number etc. If all efforts are in vain, we'll happily issue a refund. --- ## Troubleshooting: "Your call cannot be completed as dialed" # "Your call cannot be completed as dialed." This message might be played when dialing your unit on the intercom. > Your call cannot be completed as dialed. This message is usually played by the intercom panel itself, not something coming from your phone carrier. It just means the panel tried to dial your FreshBuzzer number and the building's phone line refused to place the call. The reasons for this are most likely one of these two: - Your FreshBuzzer number is not in the *local calling area* of your building's phone line. - The phone number was not entered correctly, e.g. some digits are missing or mixed up. This is not a call-forwarding problem - the call never reaches FreshBuzzer at all, it fails on the building's side before it ever leaves the building's phone line. That also means every FreshBuzzer feature that depends on the call arriving will look broken at once, including Call Forwarding and Auto Buzz - there's no call for FreshBuzzer to forward or auto-answer if it never gets that far. ## Possible Solutions After double checking that the FreshBuzzer phone number has been entered correctly into the intercom AND making sure you can call it from your or any other phone, you unfortunately will have to get a different phone number. Most intercoms prevent adding a phone number as "+1 (500) 123-0000" and instead only allow "(500) 123-0000" which prevents any long distance calls (those used to be expensive a few decades ago!). In contrary to popular belief, the area code (first 3 digits) are not the most important factor for local calling. It is the combination of the first 3 digits AND second 3 digits. If you know your building's phone number, you can use the [Local Number Search](https://freshbuzzer.com/search/caller) to find a phone number within the local calling area of your building. If you don't know the building's number but maybe one of your neighbour's, you might be lucky to get a similar phone number matching the first 6 digits. If all else fails, a toll-free number has worked for some FreshBuzzer customers. In any case, it is recommended to open a ticket to get personalized assistance. ## For your building manager or intercom installer Feel free to forward this section along if you're not the one managing the intercom system. On some systems (DoorKing is a common one), just updating the directory entry with the new number isn't enough — the system may have a separate setting for which numbers count as "long distance," and a number won't dial out correctly until it's added there too. If you manage the phone system, it's worth checking your intercom's programming manual for something like a long-distance or area-code list, separate from the resident directory itself, and confirming the new number's area code has been added to it. We don't have visibility into your specific intercom model or setup, so we can't walk you through exact steps here - but that's usually the first thing worth checking with whoever installed or maintains the system. --- ## Troubleshooting: Incomplete Setup # Incomplete Setup > Hi this is Fresh Buzzer! Unfortunately this buzzer does not have any active call-forwarding set up. Goodbye. As soon as you purchase a phone number, it is active and can be called. But in order for FreshBuzzer to do anything useful, you will need to set up at least one of the available features, e.g: - Call-forwarding - Secure Access Codes - Auto Buzz / Party Mode Until you do, FreshBuzzer will play the following message and disconnect the call: > Hi this is Fresh Buzzer! Unfortunately this buzzer does not have any active call-forwarding set up. Goodbye. --- ## Troubleshooting: "FreshBuzzer does not recognize this caller" # "FreshBuzzer does not recognize this caller." Did you move or maybe the building has changed its phone number (Caller ID). > FreshBuzzer does not recognize this caller. If you believe this is a mistake, please visit freshbuzzer.com/unblock or e-mail support. In the early days of FreshBuzzer, phone numbers were shared across multiple buildings if possible. The building's phone number is then used to determine which FreshBuzzer account to route a call to. This is a legacy setup and your account will show a *Shared* indicator next to your phone number. Feel free to open a ticket if you wish to change to a dedicated phone number. Should you have moved, or the building changed its phone number, you can add the new phone number to your account in the [Call Routing](https://freshbuzzer.com/unblock) section. Note that some buildings will start hiding their caller ID and might not be able to be added. Please reach out for personal assistance if needed.