TL;DR
- OEM fobs are pre-programmed and factory-locked; they’re not true blanks and can’t be reprogrammed with your credential
- CloneMyKey uses specialized blank chips to duplicate your credential data 1:1 — appearance differs, function is identical
- Readers validate the data inside the chip, not logos, colors, or housing
- Password-protected memory locks prevent hostile readers from writing trash data to disable your clone (or reveal your original)
- Partial locking is used only when a system expects a few writable blocks; core credential blocks are always protected
Why Your Clone Isn’t Visually Identical
The question we hear all the time: “Why can’t you just use the same blank my building uses so it looks exactly like my original?” The reality is simple: OEM fobs come from the factory pre-programmed and locked. They aren’t true blanks and can’t be safely or fully rewritten with your credential data. Even branded fobs you see on marketplaces are almost always pre-encoded with locked manufacturer blocks that we can’t modify.
🔎 Enrollment vs. Programming
For older LF (125 kHz) tech: What looks like “programming” is actually enrollment. The fob already has a fixed identity; the system simply adds that identity to its allowlist.
For newer HF (13.56 MHz) tech: Some areas may be writable, but critical blocks are factory-locked. Without access to those keys/blocks, an OEM “blank” can’t be turned into your fob’s twin.
Logos, shells, colors, and shapes are ignored — access is based on data, not appearance.
“But I found branded fobs on Amazon!”
- Not actually blank: Printed serials/logos almost always mean pre-programmed, locked internals
- Locked manufacturer blocks: Proprietary data and keys are set at the factory and aren’t writable
How CloneMyKey Creates Working Copies
We source specialized blank chips designed for credential duplication — not consumer “OEM” stock. These blanks support:
- Fully writable memory to mirror your credential structure
- Correct chip tech to emulate the original’s format and timing
- Frequency/protocol compatibility with your building’s readers
Result: The reader can’t tell your original from our clone because the credential data is identical. The shell may differ — and that’s fine.
What Is Memory Locking?
Think of a fob’s memory as a folder with pages (blocks/sectors). Some pages hold your credential, others hold system or manufacturer data. Locking puts certain pages in protective sleeves so they can’t be changed without the right key/password.
| Lock Type | Who Sets It | Can Unlock? | Typical Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer / Factory Locks | OEM at production | No (permanent) | Protect proprietary IDs, config, keys |
| Password-Protected Locks | CloneMyKey | Yes (with password) | Protect credential from hostile writes |
| Partial Locks | CloneMyKey (case-by-case) | Mixed | Leave specific blocks writable if the system expects it |
Hostile Readers & Anti-Cloning: Why Locking Is Necessary
⚠️ The Hostile Reader Problem
Some access systems try to detect and destroy clones by writing garbage data to a presented key. OEM fobs are factory-locked, so the write fails harmlessly. Unlocked clones can be overwritten — breaking the clone and sometimes revealing and disabling the original credential.
How Memory Locking Protects You
- Write attempts fail safely: Credential blocks are locked, so trash writes don’t stick
- Multiple secret passwords: We use varied, private passwords so hostile systems can’t target a known lock key
- Undetectable protection: To the system, your clone looks like any locked fob
- Accidental safety: Prevents user error or EMI from corrupting critical areas
Result: Credential remains intact. Original credential is not exposed.
Rare Exceptions
- Partial locking: If your system legitimately writes non-credential data to certain blocks, we’ll leave only those specific blocks open. Core credential blocks remain locked.
- Proprietary encryption systems: In a small subset of cases, we are required to clone onto OEM stock for compatibility. Even then, some factory-locked blocks remain unchangeable — and the system typically doesn’t check them for authorization.
The Cat-and-Mouse Reality
Access control vendors evolve anti-cloning tactics — from write probes to timing checks and UID validation. We stay ahead with proper emulation blanks, robust locking strategies, and non-public passwords. The goal is to deliver reliable, safe, user-owned backups in environments that increasingly attempt to penalize third-party replacements.
Function Over Form
Readers never see the logo, shell, or color — they only see the data. Our clones match your credential data bit-for-bit, so they work exactly like the original. The trade-off is cosmetic: your clone likely won’t look identical. For most customers, that’s a smart trade for cost, availability, and protection.
✅ What You Get (and Don’t)
- Identical credential data that the reader treats the same as your original
- Password-locked memory to protect against hostile writes
- Specialized blanks that emulate OEM behavior
- Fast turnaround and lower cost than official replacements
- Not included: OEM shell, logo, or visually identical housing
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
OEM fobs are intentionally shipped pre-programmed and locked — that’s why visually identical clones aren’t feasible. The good news is that readers only care about the data, not the look. By using specialized blanks and password-protected memory locking, we deliver clones that work like your original and stay resilient against hostile write attempts — protecting both your clone and your original over the long haul.
Badger Access Control, INC
30 W Mifflin St. Suite 903
Madison, WI 53703 USA
Appointment Required