# Airbnb Gate Access: How to Grant Guests Temporary Gate Codes Without Sharing Your Own

> Four ways to give Airbnb guests temporary gate access without sharing your master code: dedicated SMS, time-limited authorized numbers, smart lock combo, and the GateOpener app.

Canonical: https://gate-opener.app/blog/airbnb-gate-access/
Last updated: 2026-05-23

Running a short-term rental with an electric gate? This guide explains four ways to give Airbnb guests gated access without sharing your master code: dedicated guest SMS commands, time-limited authorized numbers, smart lock integration, and the simplest option — the GateOpener app, which handles temporary access automatically.

## At a glance

Running an Airbnb with an electric gate? Don't share your gate password. Instead, add the guest's phone number to your GSM module — they open the gate by calling the SIM, no code needed. Remove them automatically with the **GateOpener app** (set checkout date and forget), or manually after they leave. For properties that get back-to-back guests, the **RTU5024** can store a guest with a start and an end time in the add-user command itself.

Short-term rental hosts face a recurring problem: how do you give arriving guests gated access without sharing your master gate code, and without remembering to revoke it after they leave? Here are four working options, ranked by how little ongoing work they require.

## Option 1: GateOpener app with auto-expiring access (easiest)

In the GateOpener app, adding a guest is a tap-and-set-dates flow: pick their phone number, set a check-in date and a checkout date, save. The app sends the right SMS commands to your module to add them on check-in day and remove them automatically when they leave. You don't need to remember anything.

Works with both RTU5024 and Callny modules. €5.99 one-time, no subscription. The app is on the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/gateopener-gsm-gate-opener/id6760906312) and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mandoloran.gateopener).

**Pros:** fire-and-forget, no manual cleanup, works on any supported GSM module. Activity log shows exactly when each guest opened the gate.  
**Cons:** on iPhone, guest access with auto-expiry needs the one-time in-app purchase — the free tier covers only one gate for the host.

## Option 2: Manual SMS commands per guest

The free option, if you don't mind doing it by hand for every booking. On check-in day, add the guest's number to your module's authorized list. On checkout day, remove it.

RTU5024 example — add a guest to slot 050 (reserve slot 050+ for guests, slots 001-049 for permanent users):

```
{pwd}A050#+{guest-phone}#
```

And on checkout day, remove them:

```
{pwd}D050#
```

See [how to add a phone number to your RTU5024](https://gate-opener.app/blog/how-to-add-phone-number-rtu5024/) for the full command reference.

**Pros:** free, works with any RTU5024 or Callny module.  
**Cons:** easy to forget, no audit trail, prone to typos when typing international phone numbers by hand.

## Option 3: RTU5024 time-limited user

The RTU5024 add-user command takes an optional start and end time (YYMMDDHHmm). The module enforces the window itself, with no app and no manual cleanup: once the end time passes, calls from that number stop opening the gate even though the number is still in the user table. For example, this adds a guest to slot 050 from 14 November 2026 15:00 until 16 November 2026 11:00:

```
{pwd}A{slot}#{phone}#{startYYMMDDHHmm}#{endYYMMDDHHmm}#
```

```
1234A050#0031612345678#2611141500#2611161100#
```

Use this if you already have an RTU5024 and don't want to install an app. The Callny G202 PLUS has no time-limited user command, so on a Callny module you add and remove guests by hand or with the app. Pair either module with the GateOpener app for the activity log and a cleaner per-guest UI.

**Pros:** hardware-enforced expiry, no app needed.  
**Cons:** two timestamps to type exactly, no audit trail, requires an RTU5024-family module (won't work on a Callny).

## Option 4: Smart lock + GSM gate combo

Some hosts pair a smart lock on the front door (Nuki, August, Yale) with a GSM-only gate. The guest gets a temporary code for the smart lock through Airbnb's keypad integration, and gate access via a separate mechanism — typically a permanent code shared on the welcome message.

**Pros:** integrated with Airbnb messaging for the door lock at least.  
**Cons:** gate access still requires manual handling unless you also install a smart lock at the gate. Two separate systems to maintain.

## Comparing the four options

| Option | Manual cleanup needed? | Audit trail? | Cost |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| GateOpener app | No (auto-expire) | Yes | €5.99 one-time |
| Manual SMS | Yes (every booking) | No | Free |
| RTU5024 time-limited user | No (module-enforced) | No | RTU5024 family only |
| Smart lock combo | Partial | For the door only | €150-300 + module |

## Related guides

- [Temporary gate access — full guide](https://gate-opener.app/blog/temporary-gate-access-guide/)
- [Property manager gate access — tenants, cleaners, contractors](https://gate-opener.app/blog/property-manager-gate-access/)
- [How to add a phone number to the RTU5024](https://gate-opener.app/blog/how-to-add-phone-number-rtu5024/)
- [RTU5024 SMS commands explained](https://gate-opener.app/blog/rtu5024-sms-commands-explained/)
- [Callny G202 PLUS specs](https://gate-opener.app/hardware/callny-g202/)

## Related
- [Temporary Gate Access: Guide for Guests and Deliveries](https://gate-opener.app/blog/temporary-gate-access-guide/)
- [How to Set Up Your RTU5024 GSM Gate Opener](https://gate-opener.app/blog/rtu5024-setup-guide/)
- [RTU5024 SMS Commands: The Complete Reference](https://gate-opener.app/blog/rtu5024-sms-commands-explained/)