UniFi Access is Ubiquiti’s access control system. It consists of readers, door hubs and intercoms connected by PoE, and unlocks with an NFC card or fob, PIN, a phone or, on some readers, a fingerprint. It manages users and logs from the UniFi console, without licences, and integrates with UniFi Protect cameras.
UniFi Access equipment
| Type | Models | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Readers | Reader, Reader Flex, Reader Pro, G3 Reader Fingerprint | Identifying who enters: NFC, keypad, phone or fingerprint depending on the model. |
| Reader with built-in hub | Access Ultra | One door with a single device. |
| Door hubs | Door Hub, Door Hub Mini | Controlling a door’s lock and inputs. |
| Multi-door hub | Enterprise Access Hub | Up to eight doors, with battery backup. |
| Hub for existing installations | Retrofit Hub | Reusing Wiegand or OSDP readers and their wiring. |
| Intercoms | Intercom, Intercom Viewer, G6 Entry | Answering visitors with video and audio and opening remotely. |
| Vehicles and elevators | Gate Hub and elevator kit | Gates and floor control. |
| Locks and credentials | Magnetic lock, electric strikes, NFC cards and fobs | Completing the door. |
Ways to unlock
- 13.56 MHz NFC card or fob.
- PIN on readers with a keypad.
- A phone, with the UniFi Identity app or a pass in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet (Touch Pass).
- Fingerprint, on readers that include it.
- Number plate, at gates with a compatible UniFi Protect AI camera.
- Remote opening from the intercom or the app.
How a door is installed
You must decide whether the lock opens or stays locked when power is lost. On escape doors it must open, and the installation has to be coordinated with the fire system.
- One network cable to the door powers the hub or reader by PoE.
- The hub connects to the lock, the exit button and the door contact.
- The reader is mounted outside and, if exit is controlled, another inside.
- Users, groups and access schedules are created in the console.
- Emergency opening and behaviour without power are tested.
Integration with cameras and network
- Each door event is linked to the video from that door’s camera.
- The same user accounts work for WiFi, VPN and doors with UniFi Identity.
- Several sites are administered from the same dashboard.
- The system can keep working during a power cut with backup power.
Data protection
An access control system records who enters and when: the people concerned must be informed, access to the logs limited and a retention period set.
Fingerprints and face recognition are biometric data. The Spanish Data Protection Agency considers their use for access and attendance control high-risk processing that is generally not justified when alternatives such as a card or phone exist. That is why we propose card, PIN or phone by default.
Where it fits
If the building already has another brand’s access control in good condition, or standalone wireless locks are needed, we compare with other solutions before proposing a change.
- Offices and coworking spaces with several doors and changing staff.
- Residential communities and garages with an intercom and a gate.
- Premises with plant rooms or restricted storerooms.
- Installations that already have a UniFi network or cameras.