What is the AW33 and when would we use it?

It's a new controller that combines a door controller and wireless hub into a single device for AL54 wireless lock deployments. It's most useful for new doors, especially interior or retrofit openings where running a wired controller isn't practical.

What is the Pass SDK, and do we need a developer to use it?

The Pass SDK lets a development team embed Verkada door access directly into your organization's own mobile app. It's a developer tool, so it's most relevant if you already have an internal or custom app and a team that can integrate against it.

Do we need to upgrade our existing AL54 lock deployment to the AW33?

No. If your current wireless lock setup with a separate controller and hub is working, there's no need to change it. The AW33 mainly simplifies new door installs going forward.

Security

What's New in Verkada Access Control: October 2026 Release

October 1, 2026

Fortified Technologies

Verkada wireless access control reader on a commercial door

"Verkada's October 2026 release adds a combined controller for wireless lock deployments, puts door activity and camera footage on one timeline, and opens badge-in access to your own mobile app."

This release simplifies wireless lock installs, closes the gap between what a door did and what the camera saw, and gives development teams a way to build door access directly into software the organization already uses.

Understanding the Release Badges

Included ships free to the existing license. There is nothing to schedule or buy.

New Hardware is an optional upgrade the account team can quote.

Wireless Locking Solutions Just Got Easier

The new AW33 Wireless Access Controller combines a door controller and a wireless hub into a single device, purpose-built for AL54 lock deployments. Previously, a wireless lock install meant coordinating a separate controller and hub; the AW33 folds both into one device, cutting install complexity and the gear mounted at each door.

This matters most on doors where a traditional wired controller isn't practical — interior office doors, meeting rooms, or retrofits in older buildings.

Release badge: New Hardware. The AW33 is an optional upgrade.

Door Activity and Camera Footage, in One Timeline

Door events now show up directly alongside camera footage in Command's Unified Timeline, instead of pulling an access log from one screen and footage from another and lining up timestamps by hand.

This removes a manual step from investigations and makes it easier to see what happened at a door and what the camera saw around the same event.

Release badge: Included. This is available at no additional cost, with nothing to configure.

Badge-In, Built Into Your Own App

The new Pass SDK lets a client's development team embed Verkada door access directly into their own organization's mobile app, rather than requiring staff to open a separate Verkada app.

For businesses with an internal employee app already used for scheduling, HR, or facilities, door access can live in the same place staff already check. This is a developer-facing tool, most relevant to clients with an internal or custom app and a team that can integrate against an SDK.

Release badge: Included. It is part of platform access, with no separate purchase required to build with it.

Existing AL54 Deployments

Clients who already have AL54 wireless locks deployed with a separate controller and hub don't need to replace anything working — the AW33 mainly changes the calculus for new door openings going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Unified Timeline is a software update to Command that shows door activity alongside camera footage automatically — there's nothing to install or configure.