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Instant Keys are the fastest way to give someone mobile access. When you create an Access Grant with a mobile_key access method, Seam automatically generates an Instant Key URL. Share this URL with your user through text, email, or your app. When they tap the link, they can unlock the door immediately — no app download required. Instant Keys use iOS App Clips and Android Instant Apps to provide a native unlock experience without requiring your user to install anything. Instant Keys are ideal for:
  • Guest access — Send a link to a short-term guest (hotel, vacation rental, coworking space).
  • Backup access — Provide a fallback unlock method alongside a native mobile key in your app.
  • Quick onboarding — Let users unlock immediately while they set up your full mobile app.

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Before You Begin

To use Instant Keys, you need:
  • A Seam API key
  • A connected ACS with BLE-capable lock hardware that supports mobile keys
  • Mobile key licenses activated for your ACS (see Setting Up Your Site for Instant Keys)
  • A user identity representing the person who will receive the Instant Key
  • An entrance that supports mobile keys (can_unlock_with_mobile_key is true)
Instant Keys are generated automatically when you create a mobile key access method. You do not need to request them separately.

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Step 1: Create an Access Grant with a Mobile Key

Create an Access Grant specifying mobile_key as the requested access method mode. The response includes an instant_key_url on the Access Grant itself — you can share it immediately without waiting for the access method to be issued. 
const accessGrant = await seam.accessGrants.create({
  user_identity_id: '22222222-2222-2222-2222-222222222222',
  acs_entrance_ids: ['f74e4879-5991-4e2f-a368-888983dcfbfc'],
  requested_access_methods: [
    { mode: 'mobile_key' }
  ],
  starts_at: '2025-07-13T15:00:00.000Z',
  ends_at: '2025-07-16T11:00:00.000Z',
})

console.log(accessGrant.instant_key_url)
// => "https://ik.seam.co/ABCXYZ"
Output: 
{
  "access_grant_id": "a1b2c3d4-e5f6-7890-abcd-ef1234567890",
  "user_identity_id": "22222222-2222-2222-2222-222222222222",
  "instant_key_url": "https://ik.seam.co/ABCXYZ",
  "requested_access_methods": [
    {
      "mode": "mobile_key",
      "created_access_method_ids": ["6ba7b810-9dad-11d1-80b4-00c04fd430c8"]
    }
  ],
  ...
}

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Step 2: Share the Instant Key URL

Once the access method is created, list the access methods for the Access Grant to get the instant_key_url. Deliver the instant_key_url to your user. Common delivery methods include:
  • Text message (SMS) — Send the URL directly to your user’s phone.
  • Email — Include the URL in a welcome or check-in email.
  • In-app link — Embed the URL in your web or mobile app.
  • QR code — Generate a QR code from the URL for physical signage.
When your user taps the link on their phone, the Instant Key opens as an iOS App Clip or Android Instant App. They can unlock the door immediately — no app store download needed. 
const accessMethods = await seam.accessMethods.list({
  access_grant_id: accessGrant.access_grant_id,
})

const instantKey = accessMethods[0]
console.log(instantKey.instant_key_url)
Output: 
{
  "access_method_id": "6ba7b810-9dad-11d1-80b4-00c04fd430c8",
  "display_name": "Mobile Key",
  "mode": "mobile_key",
  "is_issued": true,
  "issued_at": "2025-06-16T16:55:03.924353Z",
  "instant_key_url": "https://ik.seam.co/ABCXYZ",
  ...
}
Use the client_session_id to look up the client session token, then pass it to the Seam mobile SDK to initialize your user’s mobile app. For the complete mobile SDK integration guide, see Mobile Access.

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Step 3: See Which Doors an Access Method Covers

An access method can cover multiple doors — for example, if the Access Grant includes several entrances or spaces. To see which doors an Instant Key unlocks, call /access_methods/get_related with the underlying mobile key’s access method ID. 
const related = await seam.accessMethods.getRelated({
  access_method_ids: [accessMethod.access_method_id],
})

console.log(related.acs_entrances) // ACS entrances this Instant Key unlocks

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Next Steps

  • Instant Keys — Deep dive into how Instant Keys work, site setup, and advanced delivery options.
  • Delivering Instant Keys — Detailed guide for sharing Instant Keys with your users.
  • Using Mobile Keys — Build a native mobile app experience with the Seam mobile SDKs.