Two quick phases: create a reusable upload link in InboundFiles, then schedule it as a quick reply on Airbnb. Every guest gets asked automatically at booking — IDs arrive before check-in without you lifting a finger.
Pro plan · Takes 5 minutes
First, generate the permanent link where guests will upload their ID. One link per property handles every booking — forever.
Go to InboundFiles.com and sign in to your account. Don't have one? Signing up takes 30 seconds.
From your dashboard, click the New Request button in the top corner.
Choose Reusable Link from the options. This creates a permanent link that works for every guest — unlike a one-time request, you'll only do this step once.
Use these exact settings to keep things clean and consistent:
Title
Airbnb Guest ID Verification
Description
For security and to comply with local lodging regulations, please upload a clear photo of your government-issued ID or passport. Thank you for helping us keep your stay safe and compliant!
Click Save, then copy the generated link to your clipboard. You'll paste it into Airbnb in the next phase.
Now set up Airbnb to send your message — with your upload link — automatically the moment a booking is confirmed.
Go to Messages, tap the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner, and tap Quick replies.
Tap Create. Under Template name, type a title only you will see — like Welcome Message + ID Request. Guests won't see this name; it's just for you to identify the template in your list.
In the message box, type your welcome note and paste your InboundFiles link. Use Airbnb's built-in Details feature to insert dynamic placeholders like guest first name and check-in date — these pull real reservation data automatically for every booking. Don't type the brackets manually; select the tags from Airbnb's list.
Scroll to the Scheduling action section at the bottom. Set the trigger to fire when a new reservation is made (booking confirmed) and set the timing to Immediately. This ensures every guest receives your ID request the second they book — no delay, no manual sending.
Before saving, find the Send for last minute bookings and short stays toggle and turn it ON. This is critical — without it, same-day bookings won't receive your message. Tap Save and you're done.
Here's the message to paste into your Airbnb quick reply. When typing this into your message box, use the Details option to insert dynamic tags. Don't type the brackets manually — select them from Airbnb's list so they pull real reservation data for every booking.
Your scheduled quick reply
Hi {guest first name},
Thank you for confirming your reservation! We are thrilled to welcome you to our home on {check-in date}.
As part of our standard check-in process to comply with local regulations and building security, we require our main guests to provide a quick photo of their ID or passport before arrival.
Please use our secure link here to snap a photo and upload your ID:
[Paste your InboundFiles Link Here]
We will send over full check-in instructions and entry codes closer to your arrival. Let us know if you have any questions in the meantime!
Airbnb will automatically track your timeline and send this template to every current and upcoming reservation the second they book. The link you created in Phase 1 never expires — every new guest uploads through the same link, and their files land in your InboundFiles dashboard.
The reusable link you created handles every booking. Never create another request for ID collection.
Airbnb fires your quick reply the moment a reservation is confirmed — even for same-day bookings.
Guests upload from their phone before they travel. IDs are waiting in your dashboard, not in WhatsApp.
Does this really only take 5 minutes?
Yes — Phase 1 takes about 2 minutes, Phase 2 takes about 3 minutes. If you've never used InboundFiles before, add 30 seconds for creating your account. The setup is a one-time thing; after that, the process runs on its own forever.
What's a reusable link vs. a one-time request?
A reusable link works for every guest who clicks it — you create it once and paste it into your Airbnb message. A one-time request is for a specific person on a specific date. For guest ID collection, you want the reusable link so you never have to touch it again.
Do my guests need an account or app?
No. They open the link, tap to upload, choose their photo, and they're done. Nothing to download, nothing to sign up for. Works on any iPhone or Android.
What happens if a guest books last-minute?
That's why you turn on the Send for last minute bookings and short stays toggle. With it enabled, even a same-day booking triggers your quick reply immediately — they get the ID request within seconds of confirming.
How do I know when a guest uploads their ID?
Each morning you receive a daily digest email from InboundFiles with all uploads from the previous day. One email, no matter how many guests uploaded. You can also log into your dashboard anytime to see everything in real time.
Can I use this for multiple Airbnb listings?
Absolutely. Create one reusable link per listing (name it after the property so you can tell them apart), paste each into the corresponding listing's quick reply, and every unit handles itself independently.
Same workflow for your Booking.com listings — a reusable link scheduled as a message template.
Airbnb & short-term rentalsA broader look at guest ID collection for short-term rental hosts on any platform.
Create your reusable link and schedule your Airbnb quick reply today. Then let it run.
Set it up nowPro plan · Takes 5 minutes