What is UniFi Access and who is it for?
UniFi Access is Ubiquiti's door and gate access control system: readers, hubs, intercoms and locks managed in the UniFi Access app on the same console as your network and cameras. It suits offices, plants, warehouses and showrooms that want badges or phone credentials without a separate access control platform.
Per Ubiquiti's door access page, readers accept 13.56 MHz NFC cards and fobs and mobile credentials, and the platform lists Protect integration. Current readers are the G3 generation; G2 readers remain on the tech specs site as the prior generation.
Software terms: Ubiquiti sells paid UniFi Identity Enterprise tiers alongside a license-free plan (ui.com/identity). PDC confirms which features your design needs, and whether any of them are paid, in the written quote.
Which UniFi Access readers and hubs does a business need?
Each controlled door needs a reader and a hub channel. Small sites use one Door Hub per door (up to 6,000 users); larger buildings wire many doors back to an 8-door Enterprise Access Hub (10,000 users); vehicle gates use the Gate Hub.
| Device | Role | Capacity / credentials | Power | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G3 Reader Pro | Reader | NFC, wallet, mobile, face, PIN, QR | PoE, 6W | IP55, UL 294 |
| Reader Flex | Reader | NFC, PIN, wallet, mobile | PoE, 5W | IP55, UL 294 Grade I |
| Door Hub | Controller | 1 door, 6,000 users | PoE++ in | Indoor |
| Gate Hub | Controller | 1 gate + 1 side door, 6,000 users | PoE++ in | Indoor, UL 294 |
| Enterprise Access Hub | Controller | 8 doors, 10,000 users | AC with battery backup | UL 294 |
How does UniFi Access work with locks, fire code and emergencies?
UniFi hubs drive 12V or dry-contact lock relays, and each door must be set up as fail safe or fail secure. Ubiquiti notes magnetic locks are fail-safe (open on power loss) and electric locks are fail-secure (locked on power loss); which one a door needs is a code and safety decision.
PDC recommends involving your locksmith and your local fire marshal or code official before any hardware is ordered. They decide what egress hardware, lock type and release behavior each door needs; PDC coordinates with them and configures the system to match. We do not make life-safety or fire code determinations. Ubiquiti's door access page describes emergency and lockdown functions, which we configure to the plan your locksmith and fire marshal approve.
Plan power too: the Enterprise Access Hub has battery backup terminals, and readers and Door Hubs run on PoE, so the switch and its UPS keep doors working during an outage.
Key takeaway: Bring your locksmith and fire marshal in at the design stage. It is cheaper than changing lock hardware after inspection.
Why pair UniFi Access with UniFi Protect cameras?
When doors and cameras share one console, a door event and the video of who walked through can be reviewed together. G3 Reader Pro units also carry their own 2MP camera and two-way audio.
PDC recommends at least one Protect camera at each main entrance. For a head-to-head with a cloud platform, see UniFi Access vs Verkada Access, which also covers where Verkada wins.
How do you keep a UniFi Access system secure?
Remove departed employees the same day, require MFA for administrators, keep hubs and readers on their own VLAN and keep UniFi OS current. CISA listed three exploited UniFi OS flaws in June 2026, and the console that unlocks your doors needs the same patch discipline as your firewall.
See the CISA alert and our CVE-2026-34908 response plan. PDC ties user offboarding to your HR process when we manage the system, so badges and mobile credentials are revoked on time.
Why use a local installer for UniFi Access?
Access control touches locks, doors, cabling, power and code compliance. A local installer coordinates the trades on site and handles user changes and repairs afterward.
- Local and accountable: Preferred Data Corporation was founded in 1987 (39 years in business) and is based in High Point, with on-site service within 200 miles, which covers the Piedmont Triad, Charlotte, Raleigh and most of North Carolina.
- Member of the UniFi Partner Program, and a full MSP/MSSP: the same team handles managed IT, cybersecurity and structured cabling and network work, so nobody points fingers between the WiFi installer and the IT provider.
- Track record with clients: 100+ active clients and a 20+ year average client tenure, plus a BBB A+ rating and 24/7 monitoring for managed clients.
Which Access Control models do we typically specify?
These are the current models our engineers reach for most often. The right one depends on your building, users and budget, so we confirm the final list after a site walk.
G3 Reader Pro
Best for: Main entrances where staff and visitors both come through
- NFC card and fob, Apple/Google Wallet, mobile, face, PIN and QR unlock
- 2MP camera, 4.7" touchscreen, two-way audio
- PoE, 6W max; IP55 indoor/outdoor; UL 294
- US store price $379 for Reader Pro (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
Reader Flex
Best for: Interior doors, server rooms and side entrances
- NFC card and fob, PIN, Apple/Google Wallet, mobile unlock
- PoE, 5W max; IP55; -30 to 60 C
- UL 294 Grade I; NDAA compliant
- US store price $199 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
Door Hub
Best for: Controlling a single door with its reader and lock
- 1 door, up to 6,000 users
- PoE++ in; (4) PoE+ out for readers, 30W per port, 45W total
- Dry and powered (12V) lock relays; REX, door position and emergency inputs
- US store price $199 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
Gate Hub
Best for: Vehicle gates with a pedestrian side door
- 1 gate plus 1 side door, up to 6,000 users
- (2) dry relays for the gate operator, (1) 12V powered relay
- PoE++ in, (4) PoE+ out; indoor, DIN-rail mount; UL 294
- US store price $279 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
Enterprise Access Hub
Best for: Buildings with many doors wired back to one secure closet
- 8 doors, up to 10,000 users
- (8) 12V or dry lock terminals; (8) PoE+ outputs at 30W
- AC input with 32-48V DC battery backup terminals; UL 294
- US store price $999 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
What does Preferred Data deliver?
- Door-by-door survey: which doors get readers, what lock hardware each needs, and whether it should fail safe or fail secure, reviewed with your locksmith.
- Recommendation to involve your locksmith and fire marshal early, and coordination with them on egress, lock type and code requirements.
- Cabling, reader and hub installation, and PoE sizing for hubs and readers.
- Access app configuration: user groups, schedules, holidays, visitor access and mobile or badge credentials.
- Pairing with UniFi Protect so door events and video can be reviewed together.
- Ongoing administration: adding and removing users, firmware updates and audit exports.
Frequently asked questions
Can employees unlock doors with their phones?
Yes. Current G3 readers support mobile unlock and Apple and Google Wallet credentials, as well as NFC cards and fobs, per Ubiquiti tech specs. The G3 Reader Pro adds face, PIN and QR code unlock. Apple Wallet passes beyond Ubiquiti's included allotment are a paid per-user item.
How many doors can one UniFi hub control?
A Door Hub controls one door, a Gate Hub controls one gate plus one side door, and an Enterprise Access Hub controls eight doors with up to 10,000 users.
Will UniFi Access doors unlock in a fire or power outage?
That depends on the lock hardware and configuration: fail-safe locks open on power loss and fail-secure locks stay locked. Your locksmith and fire marshal should determine what each door requires; PDC configures the system to that plan.
Does UniFi Access work with our existing locks?
Often, if the locks accept 12V or dry-contact control. PDC reviews existing hardware with your locksmith during the survey.
Can PDC manage badges for us after installation?
Yes. PDC can administer users, schedules and credentials as part of managed support. Call (336) 886-3282 to talk it through.