ButterflyMX Building Access

Columbia Residential strives to make building access simple, secure, and welcoming. Many Columbia Residential buildings are equipped with ButterflyMX, a mobile-friendly video intercom system that enhances convenience while safeguarding resident privacy and safety. 

With ButterflyMX, residents are able to: 

  • Answer video calls from visitors directly on their phone
  • Grant access remotely, even when away from home
  • Use Alexa or Siri voice commands to open doors
  • Create Visitor Passes for friends, nannies, or dog walkers
  • View a log of past visitors and deliveries 

Because this feature is not available in every building, residents are encouraged to review their Building’s information page to confirm eligibility. 

Please note: Registering for ButterflyMX is optional—existing key and/or door attendant access remains unchanged. 

Registration Guidelines 

To ensure smooth access, please follow these guidelines: 

  • Affiliates: Use the [email protected] email listed in the Housing Portal.
  • Household Members: Only list family members who live with you full-time. Each must have a name and unique email address in the Housing Portal to sync with ButterflyMX.
  • Visitors: Do not list visitors as occupants. Instead, create a Visitor Pass through the app for short-term guests, babysitters, nannies, or dog walkers.
  • Subtenants: Access is automatically granted based on approved sublease dates entered in the Housing Portal.
  • Privacy: By default, names are hidden in the intercom directory to protect resident anonymity. Guests can search for residents by name, but scrolling through the directory is disabled. Residents who wish to display their name may update their preferences directly in the ButterflyMX app. 

How to Register 

  1. Update your Housing Portal profile with current occupancy information, including valid email addresses. For additional information on this process, please review the Updating Your Tenant Profile instructions.  

       Please note:  

  • Affiliates must use their [email protected].
  • Only full-time household members should be listed as occupants.
  • Short-term guests should not be listed as occupants—use the Visitor Pass feature instead.
  • Subtenant information should not be entered on the tenant profile page, ButterflyMX access will sync automatically from approved sublease dates.
  1. Watch for a registration email from ButterflyMX once your Housing Portal information is synced.
  2. Download the ButterflyMX app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  3. Log in using the email you provided in the Housing Portal. 

Visitor Access 

Residents can easily grant entry to friends, family, and service providers through the Visitor Pass feature in the ButterflyMX app. This allows safe, temporary access without adding these guests as permanent occupants. 

Privacy and Security 

ButterflyMX protects resident privacy by removing names from the public intercom directory. Guests can search for residents by name, but scrolling through names is disabled. Residents who wish to display their name may adjust this in the app. 

All visitor activity is logged, and entry is limited to registered residents and approved guests. 

Support & Resources 

Columbia Residential and ButterflyMX provide multiple avenues of support: 

Commonly Asked Questions

Will I lose access to my building if I don’t register for ButterflyMX?

No. Your existing keys and door attendant access will remain the same.
Registering for ButterflyMX is optional but strongly recommended, as it will replace the current intercom system.

How do I update my information so I can access ButterflyMX?

If you are an affiliate:

Update your information in the Housing Portal using these instructions. Your information will sync to ButterflyMX within 24–48 hours, and you’ll receive a registration email. You must provide an email address—you will not sync without one.

If you have family members who live with you full-time, include their information in your Tenant Profile as well. Remember to include their names and emails so that they can also sync to the system. 

If you are a nonaffiliate resident who does not have access to the Housing Portal:

Please reach out to [email protected] for assistance. 

How will my subtenant get ButterflyMX access while I’m away?

Subtenants are granted ButterflyMX access for the duration of their approved sublease. They will receive a registration email to the address you provided for them in your sublet application.

My subtenant has additional occupants who need access. What should I do?

After the main subtenant registers for ButterflyMX, they can create Visitor Passes for their additional occupants in the app. These passes automatically expire when the sublease ends.

I just moved in. How long until I’m added to the system?

New residents sync to ButterflyMX within 24–48 hours of their confirmed move‑in date. Once synced, you’ll receive a registration email to the email you listed in the Housing Portal. Residents will not sync prior to moving into their unit. 

I can’t find my registration email. What should I do?

  1. Verify your email address in the Housing Portal.
  2. Wait 24–48 hours for the sync.
  3. Check your inbox and spam/junk folders.

If you still haven’t received the email after the waiting period, email [email protected] for assistance.

I previously registered for ButterflyMX but now I can’t log in. What should I do?

First, confirm that the email in your Housing Portal matches the one you originally used to register.

  • If it matches, you don’t need a new account. Try deleting the app, reinstalling it, and logging in with your original credentials.
  • If it doesn’t, you will either need to change your email in the Housing Portal to the original one you registered with OR create a new account with the email address you provided in the Portal.

My spouse/child doesn’t have access. Can you add them?

Full‑time family members must be listed in your Tenant Profile in the Housing Portal. Make sure they are added in the Occupants section with valid email addresses. They will not sync without an email address. Once they sync, they will receive their own registration invite to the email you have provided. 

My roommates' visitors/deliveries keep calling me. How can I fix this?

Visitors/Delivery people should use the search bar at the top of the ButterflyMX panel to search for the specific resident they’re visiting.
Searching for a resident by name will automatically filter for their call button, allowing the visitor to call that person directly without mistakenly notifying their roommates.   

The ButterflyMX panel isn’t working. Who should I contact?

Notify your building’s superintendent immediately. They will coordinate repairs and work to restore service as quickly as possible.

Columbia Residential is dedicated to supporting residents every step of the way. ButterflyMX is one of the many tools designed to make daily life more convenient while maintaining a safe and welcoming community.