What Is a Limited Connection?
A limited connection means your Airbnb account is connected to iGMS without full property management (PMS) permissions.
Due to Airbnb’s platform rules, only one system can fully control a listing’s calendar and availability. If iGMS is not connected with full PMS access, several management functions are disabled.
With a limited connection:
iGMS does not control your Airbnb calendar.
The risk of availability mismatches or double bookings is higher if calendars are not synced correctly.
When Is a Limited Airbnb Connection Appropriate?
A limited connection is designed for hosts who already use another property management or pricing tool with Airbnb.
Airbnb allows only one software provider to act as the primary source of truth for calendar and listing data. However, different tools can still be used for different purposes.
This setup is suitable if:
Another system manages your Airbnb calendar and listing details.
iGMS is used specifically for guest communication, automation, smart devices, or operational workflows.
In this case, iGMS operates in a supporting role rather than as the main calendar manager.
What Is Restricted on a Limited Connection?
When using a limited connection:
Calendar changes made in iGMS or other channels are not pushed to Airbnb.
Pricing rules, minimum night stays, and availability controls are disabled.
If you accept direct or manual bookings, you must:
Export your property’s iCal feed.
Import it into your other booking platforms or property management software.
This ensures reservations appear correctly across all systems.
What still works:
iGMS pulls reservations from Airbnb
Messaging, automation, smart devices, and operational tools remain available.
Visual indicators:
A Limited Connection badge appears on the properties of the affected accounts.
A warning indicating limited calendar availability is shown in the property editor for all properties using a limited connection.
Risks and Considerations
A limited connection is generally not recommended for full listing management.
Because iGMS cannot push calendar updates to Airbnb, changes made elsewhere may not sync automatically. Without careful setup, this can lead to availability conflicts or double bookings.
How to Set Up a Limited Connection
If another property management system is already connected to Airbnb, attempting a standard iGMS connection will fail. In this case, you can either disconnect the existing software or proceed with a limited connection.
To connect Airbnb using a limited connection:
Log in to your Airbnb account in a separate browser tab.
Open iGMS and go to Accounts & Listings.
Select Connect Account, then choose Airbnb.
Confirm the connection in the Airbnb authorization window.
Switching to a Full Connection
If you later want iGMS to manage your Airbnb calendar and availability, you will need to remove any other software connected to Airbnb.
To upgrade:
Log in to Airbnb using a web browser.
In the same browser session, open your iGMS account.
Go to Accounts & Listings.
Find your Airbnb channel and select Upgrade Connection.
Confirm the connection in the Airbnb authorization window.
Upgrading restores full listing control, calendar synchronization, and availability management across channels.