Unlock the Secret: How to Redo Your Building Badge for Under $2!

Almost everyone has a badge to open the door to their apartment building or garage. However, when it’s time to replace a malfunctioning badge, typically you must contact the landlord or homeowners’ association and wait several days to receive a new one. Not to mention, the replacement fees can be quite pricey for what is essentially a small electronic gadget that one could easily replace themselves.

Most tenants don’t realize, but making a new building access badge doesn’t necessarily require professional help. In fact, it’s entirely feasible to do it at home using an app on your smartphone. This handy tip was shared on the social media platform TikTok by the user @co.ben. In a brief video, which can be seen at the top of this article, the user demonstrates how to duplicate your badge by yourself. According to him, it’s not only easy but also very cost-effective!

To get started, purchase some blank badges, also known as “Mifare badges,” which are often sold in bulk on e-commerce websites. Buying in bulk allows you to save money while also having spare badges for yourself and your loved ones if needed. “On Amazon, a pack of 10 badges costs 15 euros, and that’s all you’ll have to pay, 1.50 euros per badge,” points out @co.ben in his video. Next, grab your smartphone and download the free “Mifare Classic Tool” app (available only on Android).

After installing the mobile app, simply open it and click on “Read Tag.” Place your phone over your old badge to duplicate it. Once detected, click on “Read tag and associate keys,” then on the three dots at the top right to “Save.” Name the ‘dump’ file something simple and save it. Then, click on “Write Tag,” select “Write dump (clone),” and check the options “Apply these Access Conditions to all sectors” and “Advanced: Enable writing on block 0.”

Next step: click on “Select the dump” and at the bottom click again on “Select the dump,” leaving all sectors checked. Finally, place your smartphone over the blank badge and click on “Start association and write the dump” to complete the copy of your badge. Your new badge is now ready to be used to access your building!