Latch R2 overview

The Latch R2 is a wall-mounted proximity reader, keypad, and entry device for building doors, common-area entrances, and elevators. It is the Generation 2 version of the Latch R device series. Unlike the Latch M / G-M2 / M3 mortise locks, the R2 is not itself a lock — it controls a separate door lock or interfaces with an access control panel, and it requires hardwired power.

Residents and staff present a credential at the R2 (DOOR app, doorcode, or NFC Keycard), and the R2 triggers the lock or signals the access control panel to release the door. The R2 supports both standalone operation (wired directly to the lock) and panel operation (wired to an access control panel via Wiegand or RS-485).

Where the Latch R2 is used

Building lobby and common-area entrances — the most common deployment.
Elevator cabs and elevator-call kiosks — with the optional Elevator Floor Access (EFA) configuration, the R2 grants per-floor access through a third-party elevator control panel.
Amenity spaces (gym, pool, mailroom) shared across multiple residents.
Retrofits replacing existing readers — the R2 mounts to a single-gang box, on hard surfaces (concrete, stucco, glass) with FABboxx brackets, or as a flush wall mount.

Access methods

DOOR app — unlock via Bluetooth (BLE) while within range of the device.
- Hold your phone up to the lens of your lock while the DOOR app is open to prompt a proximity-based NFC unlock instead of BLE.
Doorcode — 7-digit numeric code entered on the keypad.
NFC Keycard — tap a Latch Keycard against the reader. NFC range is short — the card must be in close contact (up to about 0.75 inches).

The R2 also has a built-in camera (135° wide capture) that supports DOOR features such as access logs and event imagery.

How a credential unlocks the door

The R2 is wired to a lock relay (standalone) or to an access control panel (panel mode):

Standalone mode: the R2's lock relay changes states when a valid credential is presented, energizing or releasing the door lock directly. The relay can be configured as normally-open (fail-safe) or normally-closed (fail-secure).
Panel mode: the R2 sends a single Wiegand ID code to the access control panel over Wiegand (26-bit) or RS-485. The panel then decides whether to release the lock.
Elevator mode: the R2 sends 26-bit Wiegand communication to an elevator access control panel. The panel then routes that as Elevator Floor Access permissions.

After an unlock, the R2 keeps the lock relay released for the configured Relock time — either 5 seconds or 10 seconds — then returns to the locked state. Relock is configured per door via the DOOR app while in Bluetooth range.

Connectivity

The R2 supports both wired and wireless networking, and it can use them simultaneously:

Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) — recommended for permanent deployments where a network cable can be run to the device. Required for Elevator Floor Access (EFA) and recommended for Door State Notifications (DSN).
WiFi (802.11 b/g/n, 2.4 GHz) — used when running Ethernet is not practical. Note: If the device is an R2-E, it means it can only connect via Ethernet.
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE 4.2) — used for app-based unlocks and on-site configuration from the DOOR app while in range of the device.
NFC (13.56 MHz, MIFARE Classic) — for Keycard reads.

Internet connectivity is mandatory for Elevator Floor Access and required for Door State Notifications.

Distinguishing features

The R2 supports several features that are specific to access-control readers and not available on the Latch unit locks:

Door State Notifications (DSN) — sends email alerts to property managers when the door is left ajar (configurable timer), forced open without a valid credential, or returned to a secure state. Requires an egress sensor and a door contact sensor wired into the R2's inputs. See the Door State Notifications SOP for setup details.
Elevator Floor Access (EFA) — restricts which elevator floors a credential can reach. Requires a compatible third-party access control panel and pre-installation setup by DOOR. See Latch R - Elevator Floor Access (EFA).
FABboxx mounts — third-party mounting brackets for non-standard surfaces (concrete, stucco, glass, mullions). See FABboxx.
Automatic relock on door open — when wired to a door contact sensor, the R2 can re-lock the door immediately after the door is opened, even before the Relock timer elapses, to prevent tailgating.

Power and reliability

The R2 is wired-powered only. It requires a Class 2 isolated, UL-listed 12V to 24V DC power supply and consumes about 6 watts at full operation (0.5 A at 12 VDC, 0.25 A at 24 VDC). There are no batteries — the device does not operate during a power failure, and its lock relay reverts to the open state when power is lost (use fail-secure wiring for installations that need to remain locked during a power outage).

There is no Qi jumpstart and no mechanical key fallback on the R2 itself. The fallback path for a power failure depends on the access control panel and locking hardware wiring chosen at installation.

Mounting

The R2 mounts to:

A standard single-gang electrical box in the wall.
A wall surface using the included mounting plate (concealed wiring runs behind the wall).
A FABboxx bracket for hard surfaces (concrete, stucco, glass) or for mullion (right or left) mounting next to a glass door.

The mounting plate is anchored with #6 flathead screws (use only the screws provided, or matching #6 flatheads — pan-head screws will cause the device to disengage). After the device is placed on the mounting plate, a Torx T-20 security screw at the bottom of the unit locks it in place.

What DOOR OS and the DOOR app show

DOOR OS displays whether the R2 is activated and its current internet connectivity status (Ethernet Connected, WiFi Connected, both, or none). The DOOR app's Device Detail page for each R2-controlled door also shows the Internet Status, the Door State (Secure, Ajar, Breached) when DSN is configured, and — for EFA installations — a Floor Lookup Table mapping Floor Groups to the Wiegand codes programmed into the access control panel.

There is no battery indicator (the R2 has no batteries).

What the Latch R2 is not

Not a lock — the R2 is a reader with a dry contact relay to control an electrified lock. The actual locking hardware (electric strike, magnetic lock, electronic deadbolt, elevator control panel) is a separate piece of equipment selected at installation time.
Not battery-powered — the R2 requires a wired 12–24 VDC power supply at all times.
Not for unit doors — for residential apartment unit doors, use Latch M2, G-M2, M3, C1, C2, or eGenius depending on the door type.

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