Apartment Buzzer: Your Complete Buyer’s Guide for 2026

 

 

Also known as an apartment intercom system, apartment buzzer systems are installed worldwide. Most commonly seen in big cities, apartment buzzers enable tenants to open the building’s front door for guests without leaving their apartment. But how do they work, and how do you buy the best video intercom system for your building?

Below, we’ll explain:

• What is an apartment door buzzer
• How an apartment buzzer works
• How to use an apartment buzzer
• Connect an apartment buzzer to a phone
• Replacing an apartment buzzer
• Alternatives to apartment buzzers
• Apartment buzzer FAQs

 

What is an apartment door buzzer?

An apartment buzzer is a building entry system that allows visitors to alert residents and enables residents to unlock the front door remotely, typically through an in-unit intercom or phone connection.

Apartment buzzers achieve two things:

1. They alert tenants to a visitor
2. They enable tenants to open the door for visitors from their units

Door buzzer systems can also be used in commercial buildings and offices. Like apartment buzzers, commercial door buzzers empower visitors to communicate with building tenants. Tenants can then grant access to their visitors — from delivery couriers to business associates to prospective employees — without leaving their desks.

 

How does an apartment buzzer work?

Apartment buzzer systems include two hardware devices at the building’s entrance and inside each apartment. Wiring between these devices enables communication between apartment tenants and visitors at the front door. Smart apartment buzzers even have a built-in camera, microphone, and speaker. This way, tenants and visitors can see, hear, and speak to each other.

 

Watch how ButterflyMX works:

 

Apartment buzzer hardware may include:

• Call buttons: Buzzer systems usually have multiple call buttons on the hardware at the building entryway, each assigned to a specific tenant. The call button sends a signal to the resident’s in-unit device, creating a buzzing sound in their apartment.
• A door release button: Apartment buzzers with door release buttons allow tenants to open the door remotely. Pressing the button unlocks the front door for a certain amount of time to let visitors into the building.
• A talk button: Some buzzer systems require users to hold down a talk button to engage the microphone and speak to the person on the other end.
• A listen button: Some buzzer systems require users to hold down a listen button to hear the other person.

 

How to use an apartment buzzer

Throughout the history of intercoms, the buzzer system has been one of the most prevalent devices in apartment buildings. If you’ve never encountered an apartment buzzer system, here’s how to use one.

 

Using a buzzer system as a visitor

If you visit a building with a door buzzer system, you’ll usually find the device right by the front door. In most cases, you must find the name or unit number of the person you are visiting and press the corresponding call button. You may or may not hear a buzzing sound, but the resident will hear one in their unit.

 

 

If the resident speaks to you and the buzzer system has two-way audio, you can reply to them by simply speaking or holding a talk button if needed. You’ll know when the tenant has unlocked the door for you because you’ll hear a buzzing sound in your apartment. Open the door quickly because it will only remain unlocked temporarily.

 

Using a buzzer system as a tenant

If you live in a building with an apartment buzzer system, your in-unit device is probably mounted on the wall by your front door. When a visitor calls you, you’ll hear a buzzing sound from the device.

 

 

To speak with the visitor or ask who is there, press and hold the talk button (if your device has one). Some systems require you to hold a listen button to hear the visitor’s reply. If you want to open the door for the guest, just press the door release button to unlock the door for a short period. Most buzzer systems alert guests when the door has been unlocked with a buzzing sound.

Apartment buzzers eliminate two pain points for residents and guests:

1. Visitors can let tenants know they are at the front door without needing the resident’s phone number
2. Residents can open the front door for guests without going downstairs or leaving their apartment

 

How to connect an apartment buzzer to a phone

Traditional apartment buzzer systems were not designed for mobile access, but some buildings use workarounds or upgrades to enable phone-based entry.

If you want to connect your apartment door buzzer to your cell phone, you have three options:

1. If you have a telephone entry system, you can program your cell phone number into the system. When a visitor ‘buzzes’ your apartment, you’ll receive a call on your phone. From there, press ‘9’ to open the door for the guest.
2. If you don’t have a telephone entry system, try connecting a Nuki to the buzzer hardware in your apartment. The Nuki device empowers you to open the door with your smartphone by sending a notification to an app on your phone when a visitor buzzes for you.
3. If you don’t have a telephone entry system and the Nuki is not an option, consider upgrading your apartment intercom system altogether.

 

Replacing an apartment buzzer

Has your old buzzer broken down? Are you looking to upgrade to a more advanced apartment building entry system? Sounds like it’s time to replace your apartment buzzer.

If your old system is beyond repair or unable to meet your building’s needs, the first step is to consider your priorities. Keep in mind that the intercom will serve your residents, your property staff, and your visitors. As such, you need a system that benefits all parties.

When replacing an apartment buzzer, ask yourself:

• What is your budget for hardware and installation?
• Do you want an apartment intercom buzzer that connects with smartphones?
• Do you want a system with a camera to enable video capabilities?
• Which property access methods do you want the system to offer?

The next step is determining which entry system you want to install. You could install a new buzzer system or an entirely different type of system.

 

Alternatives to apartment buzzers

Traditional apartment buzzers are still common, but they offer limited functionality compared to modern access control systems. Most buzzer systems only support basic audio communication and door release, which can create friction for residents and operational challenges for property teams.

One major drawback is buzzer bombing—when a delivery driver or visitor buzzes multiple units, hoping someone will grant access. This can frustrate residents and create security risks, as entry may be granted without knowing who is entering the building.

ButterflyMX provides a modern alternative to apartment buzzers by replacing in-unit hardware with a smartphone-based video intercom system. Residents can see and speak with visitors, grant access remotely, and manage deliveries from anywhere, while property teams gain centralized control and visibility over building entry.

For properties with frequent deliveries, high visitor volume, or residents who expect smart technology, upgrading from a traditional apartment buzzer to a modern video intercom offers a more secure and convenient access experience.

 

How the ButterfluMX Video Intercom can replace apartment buzzers

• Two-way video and audio communication, allowing residents to see and speak with visitors before granting access. This helps residents verify who is at the door and reduces the risk of unauthorized entry caused by buzzer bombing or missed calls.
• Smartphone-based access control, so residents can open doors remotely from anywhere. This is especially useful for deliveries, guests, and service providers when residents are away from home.
• A cloud-based property management dashboard, giving property teams centralized control over doors, users, and permissions. Staff can update access credentials, monitor entry points, and manage building access without needing to be on-site.
• Detailed door entry and release logs, providing visibility into building access activity for both residents and property managers. These logs create accountability, support security investigations, and help properties better understand how their entrances are used.

 

Apartment buzzer FAQs

• Why are apartment buzzers considered less secure than modern systems?
• Can apartment buzzers be replaced without rewiring the entire building?

 

Why are apartment buzzers considered less secure than modern systems?

Apartment buzzers rely on residents answering calls without visual confirmation, which can lead to issues like buzzer bombing. Modern systems improve security by enabling video verification, remote access control, and audit trails that show who entered the building and when.

 

Can apartment buzzers be replaced without rewiring the entire building?

Yes. Many modern apartment entry systems, including smartphone-based video intercoms, are designed to replace traditional buzzers without extensive in-unit wiring. This makes upgrades faster and less disruptive for both residents and property managers.

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