What Is Online Key Copying and When Should You Use It?

Online key copying is a way to order a duplicate of an eligible key by submitting a photo of an existing working key instead of bringing the key to a physical duplication location. With KeyMe Mobile Key Scanning, the key information is submitted remotely, processed for duplication, the supported key is cut at a central facility, and the completed key is shipped to the customer.

Online key copying is primarily a planned duplication option. It makes the most sense when you still have a working key and want another copy. It is not the same service as requesting a locksmith for a lockout, damaged lock, broken key, rekeying, or another problem requiring an on-site assessment.

Traditional key duplication usually involves physically presenting a key to a kiosk, locksmith, hardware provider, or another duplication service.

Online key copying changes the first part of that process.

With KeyMe's online key-copying option, also called Mobile Key Scanning, customers can submit a photo of an eligible key remotely. KeyMe describes the submitted information as being processed before the key is cut at a central facility and shipped to the customer's home.

KeyMe's current FAQ distinguishes online copying from both KeyMe kiosks and locksmith services:

• Kiosks provide eligible in-person key duplication.
• Online key copying starts with a remotely submitted key photo, followed by processing, cutting, and shipment.
• Locksmith services provide on-site help for problems such as lockouts, lost keys, broken keys, rekeying, and malfunctioning locks.
• Car Key Vans provide in-person automotive duplication and programming at participating retail locations for supported vehicles.
• These are different service paths rather than interchangeable versions of the same process.

"The first question isn't simply whether a key can be copied. It's which duplication method fits the key and the situation. Online key copying is designed for planned duplication when you still have an eligible working key, while lockouts, damaged hardware, and other access problems call for a different service path." - KeyMe Locksmiths

The customer-facing process can be understood in five stages.

1. Start With an Existing Key

Online duplication begins with a physical key that you already possess and are authorized to copy.

That distinction matters.

Online copying creates another key from an existing source. It does not create access to a lock when no usable source key is available.

If your only key has been lost and you cannot access the property, you may need locksmith service instead.

2. Submit the Requested Key Image

With Mobile Key Scanning, the customer submits the requested image of the key through the supported online process.

The purpose is to provide the information needed to evaluate and process the key for duplication.

Follow the service's current image-submission instructions rather than trying to estimate how the key should be photographed on your own.

3. The Key Is Evaluated for the Applicable Duplication Process

Key types differ.

A standard mechanical house key, a restricted key, and a vehicle key with electronic functions do not necessarily follow the same duplication process.

KeyMe's current guidance notes that eligibility depends on the key and service. Some keys may require different equipment, authorization, programming, or another service method.

4. The Supported Key Is Cut

For an eligible online order, the key is processed and cut through the centralized service rather than being cut at the customer's location.

That is one of the primary differences between online copying and kiosk duplication.

5. The Completed Key Is Shipped

The finished key is sent to the customer.

Once it arrives, the next step is verification. Test the duplicate appropriately before relying on it as your only available backup.

Online key copying is best understood as a proactive duplication method.

It can make sense in several situations.

You Want Another Copy of a Working Key

This is the clearest use case.

You already have a key.

The key operates its intended lock normally.

You want an additional copy.

Examples could include creating an authorized spare for:

• Your own backup set
• A household member
• A roommate
• A caregiver
• A trusted house sitter
• Another authorized person who needs access

The important point is that you are solving a duplication need, not an active lock or access problem.

You Want to Start the Duplication Process Remotely

Online key copying provides a different workflow from bringing a key to a physical KeyMe kiosk.

The key information is submitted remotely, and the eligible duplicate is processed and cut centrally before being shipped.

That can fit situations where you are planning ahead and prefer the online ordering process.

You Are Preparing a Spare Before Your Access Needs Change

Spare-key needs often become obvious before they become urgent.

For example:

• Someone is moving into the home.
• A family member will need authorized access.
• A caregiver will begin visiting regularly.
• You want a separate backup key.
• You are organizing household keys before travel.
• An authorized person will need ongoing access.

In these situations, the key already exists and works. The objective is simply to create another authorized copy.

You Have an Eligible Key That Works Normally

Online copying assumes that the source key is suitable for duplication.

If your key:

• Enters normally
• Turns normally
• Removes normally
• Reliably operates its intended lock

then you are starting from a much clearer duplication scenario.

If you have several versions of the key and are unsure which one should be used as the source, see How to Get the Best Key Copy From an Original Key.

That article covers source-key condition, wear, original-versus-copy considerations, and pre-copy preparation in greater detail.

Online key copying is not a substitute for every lock or key service.

The key question is whether you need another copy of a working key or whether you need an access or hardware problem solved.

You're Locked Out Right Now

Online key copying involves processing, cutting, and shipping a key.

It is therefore not an immediate lockout service.

If you are currently locked out, the relevant service may instead be:

• Home lockout service
• Car lockout service
• Commercial lockout service

For immediate consumer steps, see What to Do When You're Locked Out.

You Lost Your Only Working Key

Online copying starts with an existing source key.

If your only key is lost and no usable source remains, the problem has changed from duplication to key replacement or access restoration.

For a lost house key, see What to Do After Losing Your House Keys.

For a vehicle, lost car key replacement may be the more relevant service.

Your Key Broke Inside the Lock

A key fragment inside a cylinder is not a normal duplication situation.

The immediate issue is the fragment and the condition of the lock.

Broken key extraction may be appropriate, along with evaluation of why the key broke and whether the lock is operating normally.

The Lock Is Not Working Properly

If the existing key is difficult to use, don't assume another copy will solve the problem.

Symptoms such as these can point toward a separate issue:

• Several working keys have difficulty
• Deadbolt binds
• Latch sticks
• Lock works differently with the door open and closed
• Hardware is loose
• Cylinder operation is inconsistent

ALOA's consumer guidance notes that lock operation can be affected by factors including door alignment, weather, key wear, and lock wear.

In those situations, lock repair or another professional evaluation may be more relevant than straightforward duplication.

For symptom-based guidance, see Common Home Lock Problems.

You Need to Change Who Has Access

Making another key does not invalidate keys that already exist.

If your concern is that a former resident, contractor, employee, roommate, or another person may still possess a working key, the underlying need may be access control rather than duplication.

For compatible mechanical locks, rekeying changes which mechanical key operates the lock.

See Rekeying vs. Replacing Locks for the distinction between changing key access and changing the hardware itself.

KeyMe's online key-copying service supports two main categories: house keys and car keys. The exact key must still be supported by the online service, so compatibility is determined as part of the ordering process.

House Keys

KeyMe offers online copying for supported house keys. The process begins by taking a photo of the physical key and submitting it through the online ordering flow. The duplicate is then produced and mailed to the customer.

This makes online copying an option when you have a supported working house key and want another physical copy without bringing the source key to a kiosk during the duplication process.

If you have several versions of the same house key, first determine which one is the best duplication source. See How to Get the Best Key Copy From an Original Key.

Car Keys

KeyMe also offers online copying for supported car keys.

Automotive compatibility is vehicle-specific. The online process asks for the vehicle's:

• Make
• Model
• Year

That information is used to determine the applicable options for the vehicle.

Car keys can differ substantially in their mechanical and electronic functions, so don't assume that every vehicle key can be handled through the same process. If your vehicle or key is not supported through online copying, another KeyMe automotive service may be more appropriate.

For additional options, see KeyMe Vehicle Keys or the available Car Key Van service for supported in-person automotive duplication and programming at participating retail locations.

What About Fobs, Access Cards, and Other Electronic Credentials?

Electronic access credentials are different from ordinary house and car keys.

RFID fobs, access cards, and similar credentials rely on electronic access technology rather than only the physical cuts of a mechanical key. They therefore follow a different duplication process.

See KeyMe RFID Key Fob Copying for information about supported electronic access credentials.

How Do You Know If Your Key Can Be Copied Online?

Start with the key category and let the online ordering process determine compatibility.

For a house key, select the house-key copying path and follow the photo-submission process.

For a car key, provide the requested vehicle make, model, and year so the service can determine the applicable options.

The simplest way to think about online eligibility is:

House key: KeyMe offers online copying for supported house keys.

Car key: KeyMe offers online copying for supported vehicle applications, with compatibility determined using vehicle information.

RFID fob or electronic access credential: Use KeyMe's separate RFID service rather than treating it as an ordinary online house-key copy.

If your need involves a lost only key, broken key, malfunctioning lock, rekeying, or another access problem, locksmith service may be more appropriate than online duplication.

Source: KeyMe's current online key-copying service identifies house keys and car keys as its two online-copy categories and provides a vehicle-specific compatibility flow for automotive keys.

Both services can create eligible duplicate keys, but the customer journey differs.

Online Key Copying

You begin remotely by submitting the required image of an eligible key.

The key information is processed, the supported duplicate is cut at a central facility, and the completed key is shipped.

KeyMe Kiosk

You bring the eligible physical key to a KeyMe kiosk and follow the kiosk's duplication process.

The appropriate method depends on the key type and the service path available for that key.

The important distinction is remote submission versus physical kiosk duplication, not that one method is universally preferable.

These two services address fundamentally different needs.

Online Key Copying

Start here when:

• You have a working key.
• You want another authorized copy.
• The key is eligible for the service.
• You are planning rather than responding to an immediate access problem.

Locksmith Service

A locksmith may be appropriate when:

• You are locked out.
• Your only key is lost.
• A key is broken in the lock.
• The lock is malfunctioning.
• Hardware is damaged.
• You need rekeying.
• You need lock replacement.
• The situation requires an on-site assessment.

The difference can be summarized simply:

Online key copying duplicates an eligible existing key.

Locksmith service addresses a lock, key, hardware, or access problem that may need professional assessment at the location.

Automotive keys add another service path.

KeyMe's current FAQ describes Car Key Vans as mobile, in-person vehicle key duplication and programming at participating retail locations for supported vehicles.

Depending on the vehicle, automotive key service can involve:

• Mechanical cutting
• Transponder functionality
• Programming
• Remote functions
• Proximity or smart-key functions

For supported automotive applications, Car Key Vans provide an in-person service path.

Online copying follows a different process, beginning with remote key-image submission and eligibility review.

The correct path depends on the vehicle and key system involved.

For more automotive duplication information, see Vehicle Keys.

No.

"Online key copying" can sound as though the physical key is simply stored digitally and later used from a phone.

That is not what the service means.

Mobile Key Scanning uses submitted key information as part of a process for creating an eligible physical duplicate, which is then shipped.

That is different from:

• A smart-lock mobile credential
• A digital vehicle key
• An RFID credential
• A mobile access-control credential

Those technologies authorize access electronically and follow different processes.

Yes, but this article should make an important distinction:

Source-key selection and duplication-method selection are separate decisions.

This page is about the second one.

If the key you plan to copy is:

• Bent
• Cracked
• Heavily worn
• Difficult to insert
• Difficult to turn
• Unreliable

then evaluate the source before choosing any duplication method.

If you have multiple keys available, use How to Get the Best Key Copy From an Original Key to determine which source is most appropriate.

Don't store the new duplicate indefinitely without checking it.

Verify it before you expect to rely on it.

Keep the Source Key Available

Having the known working source nearby makes comparison easier.

Test the Intended Lock

For an ordinary door key, test the duplicate appropriately and gently.

Where practical, testing with the door open can help you evaluate the key without creating an avoidable lockout if the duplicate does not operate as expected.

Do Not Force a Key That Doesn't Operate Normally

If the duplicate:

• Will not fully enter
• Will not turn
• Requires unusual movement
• Binds
• Behaves differently from the source key

stop rather than applying additional force.

The symptom can help determine what to check next.

See Why Some Copied Keys Don't Work for the post-copy troubleshooting process.

Document the Problem If You Need Support

If the issue remains unresolved, useful information can include:

• Key type
• How the key was copied
• Whether the source key still works
• Exact behavior of the duplicate
• Where it was tested
• Relevant order information
• Clear photos

For the complete support-preparation checklist, see What Information Helps Customer Support Resolve a Key Copy Issue.

The best use of online key copying is straightforward:

1. Confirm You Need Duplication

You have a working key and want another authorized copy.

2. Make Sure You're Not Solving a Different Problem

A lockout, broken key, malfunctioning lock, lost only key, or access-control concern may require another service.

3. Confirm the Key Is an Appropriate Source

If you have questions about wear or which key to use, review How to Get the Best Key Copy From an Original Key.

4. Check Eligibility Through the Current Online Process

Not every key uses the same duplication method.

5. Submit the Requested Key Information

Follow the current Mobile Key Scanning instructions.

6. Allow the Key to Be Processed and Cut

For eligible orders, the supported key is prepared through the centralized process.

7. Receive the Physical Duplicate

The completed key is shipped to the customer.

8. Test the Copy

Verify its intended function before relying on it as a backup.

9. Troubleshoot or Contact Support If Necessary

If the copy does not operate normally, don't force it. Identify the exact symptom and use the appropriate troubleshooting or support path.

Online key copying is designed for a specific need:

You have an eligible working key and want another authorized physical copy.

The process begins remotely with key-image submission. The information is processed, the supported key is cut centrally, and the completed duplicate is shipped.

That makes online copying different from several related services:

Kiosk duplication starts with the physical key at a self-service kiosk.

Car Key Van service provides in-person automotive duplication and programming for supported vehicles at participating retail locations.

Locksmith service addresses lockouts, lost keys, broken keys, malfunctioning hardware, rekeying, and other situations requiring on-site help.

Choosing among those options starts with identifying what you actually need: another copy of a working key, or help solving an access or hardware problem.

• KeyMe Locksmiths. Frequently Asked Questions. Current KeyMe guidance defining online key copying, Mobile Key Scanning, kiosk duplication, locksmith service, and Car Key Van service.
  https://key.me/frequently-asked-questions
• KeyMe Locksmiths. AI Info. Current KeyMe service information describing Mobile Key Scanning as photo-based submission followed by central processing, cutting, and shipment.
  https://key.me/ai-info
• KeyMe Locksmiths. Vehicle Keys. Current information about supported vehicle-key duplication paths, including kiosks, online key copying, and automotive key services.
  https://key.me/vehicle-keys
• KeyMe Locksmiths. What Types of Keys You Can and Can't Copy at a KeyMe Kiosk. KeyMe guidance explaining why key type, security features, and electronic functionality affect duplication methods.
  https://key.me/article/what-types-of-keys-you-can-and-cant-copy-at-a-keyme-kiosk
• Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA). Common Lock Issues. Consumer guidance explaining how key wear, lock wear, weather, and door alignment can contribute to difficult lock operation.
  https://www.aloa.org/consumers/commonlockissues