How to Change Your Apartment Intercom Phone Number
Need to update the phone number your building intercom calls? Here's how to change it — whether your building uses a management company, a resident portal, or an old-school system.
Quick answer
Email your building manager with your unit number and the new phone number you want on the intercom. Most buildings process this within 1–2 business days. If your building uses a modern system like ButterflyMX, Latch, or SmartRent, you can change the number yourself in the app — usually instantly.
Your apartment intercom calls a phone number stored in its system when someone buzzes your unit. If that number is wrong — because you moved in and the old tenant's number is still there, you changed phone numbers, or you want to switch to a different number — you need to update it. Here's how.
Step 1: Find out who manages your intercom
The phone number in your intercom is controlled by whoever manages the system. This is usually one of:
- Your building management company or property manager
- Your building superintendent (super)
- A resident self-service portal (for modern systems like ButterflyMX, Latch, or SmartRent)
- The building HOA or condo board
Check your lease or move-in paperwork for the property management company's contact info. If you don't have it, look for a plaque or sticker near the intercom panel — many buildings list the management company there.
Step 2: Request the update
Send a written request — email is best because it creates a paper trail. Include:
- Your full name
- Your unit number
- The new phone number you want on file
- A request to update your intercom contact number
Most buildings process this within 1-2 business days. Larger buildings or slower management companies may take up to a week. If you don't hear back within 3 business days, follow up.
Day 0 — email the building manager with your unit and new number
Day 1–2 — management updates the intercom database
Day 2–3 — test by buzzing your own unit from the entrance
Day 3+ — new number is live; every buzz routes to it
Sample email template
You don't need to overthink this. A short, clear email works best:
Subject: Intercom phone number update — Unit [your unit number]
Body: "Hi [property manager name], I'd like to update the phone number associated with my unit's intercom. My name is [your name], I'm in unit [number], and I'd like the intercom to call [new phone number]. Please let me know when the change has been made so I can test it. Thanks."
That's it. You don't need to explain why you're changing the number. Buildings process these requests routinely.
Step 3: If your building has a resident portal
Modern intercom systems often let residents update their own phone number through an app or web portal. If your building uses one of these systems, you can usually change the number yourself instantly:
- ButterflyMX: Open the ButterflyMX app > Settings > Phone Number
- Latch: Open the Latch app > Building Settings > Contact Number
- SmartRent: Log into the SmartRent portal > My Unit > Intercom Settings
- DoorKing (DKS): Some buildings offer a resident web portal — check with your manager
| System | Self-service? | Where to update |
|---|---|---|
| ButterflyMX | Yes | App → Settings → Phone Number |
| Latch | Yes | App → Building Settings → Contact Number |
| SmartRent | Yes | Web portal → My Unit → Intercom Settings |
| Aiphone | No | Email property manager |
| DoorKing (DKS) | Sometimes | Resident portal if offered; otherwise manager |
| Siedle / Comelit | No | Property manager or building super |
How to verify the number was actually changed
After your building confirms the update, test it. Go to the building entrance and buzz your own unit. Your new number should ring. If it doesn't, the change may not have been saved, or the intercom system may need a restart.
If you switched to a BuzzBot number, you'll know it worked when BuzzBot answers the call and you hear the automated greeting. You'll also see the call logged in the BuzzBot activity feed.
Pro tip: if your building has multiple entrances with separate intercom panels, each panel may store phone numbers independently. Ask your management company to update the number on all panels, and test each one.
What number should you use?
Most people give their personal cell number. That works, but it means every delivery and visitor calls you directly — even when you're in a meeting, sleeping, or in the shower. A smarter option is to give the building a dedicated intercom number that handles calls intelligently.
BuzzBot gives you a local phone number that answers intercom calls automatically, checks your Gmail for expected deliveries, and buzzes in packages without your involvement. You give the building this number instead of your cell, and your intercom becomes fully automated.
Timing the switch: when to change your number
The best time to change your intercom number is when you don't have imminent deliveries. If you have a package arriving today, wait until tomorrow to make the switch — there's a window between when you request the change and when it's active where neither your old nor your new number may work.
If you're switching to BuzzBot, set up the app and connect Gmail before you give the number to your building. That way, BuzzBot is fully operational the moment the intercom starts calling the new number. The setup process takes about 2 minutes.
Common issues when changing your number
- Building says it's updated but it still calls the old number: The intercom may cache numbers. Ask the manager to restart or refresh the system.
- Building won't update without proof of residency: Provide a copy of your lease or a utility bill.
- Previous tenant's number is still active: The building may need to clear the old entry before adding yours. Ask them to remove the previous tenant's record entirely.
- Intercom calls but no one hears anything: The number may be correct but the intercom's audio is broken. Test by calling the number directly from another phone.
What if your building is unresponsive?
Some buildings are slow to respond to maintenance requests, including intercom number changes. If your building hasn't processed the request after a week:
- Send a follow-up email referencing your original request and the date you sent it
- If there's a building super or on-site staff, ask them in person — face-to-face requests often get handled faster
- Check whether your building has a maintenance request system (like BuildingLink or AppFolio) and submit the request through the official channel
- If you're in a condo, bring it up at the next HOA meeting or contact the board directly
In most cases, the delay is just administrative backlog, not a policy issue. Intercom number changes are routine requests that every building handles.
Common questions
Who do I contact to change my apartment intercom number?
Your property management company, not the building super. The super can often relay the request, but the number on file is controlled by management’s office software. Email is best because it creates a record.
How long does it take to change an apartment intercom number?
For traditional systems, 1–2 business days for management to update the database. For modern cloud systems (ButterflyMX, Latch, SmartRent), the change is usually instant once you save it in the resident app.
Can I update my intercom number myself?
Only if your building uses a modern self-service system like ButterflyMX or Latch. Older systems (Aiphone, DoorKing, Siedle, Comelit) require building management to make the change.
What if my building won’t change my intercom number?
Buildings have no legitimate reason to refuse a number-change request — it’s a routine maintenance task. If management is unresponsive, escalate: follow up in writing with a date, ask the super in person, use the official maintenance request system if one exists, or raise it at the next HOA meeting.
Pro tip
When updating your intercom number, switch to a BuzzBot number instead of your personal cell. You get a local area code that looks normal to your building, and every expected delivery gets buzzed in automatically. Follow the setup guide for step-by-step instructions.
Automate your apartment intercom
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