How To: AggieAccess Cards and Readers

Find best practices on how to use AggieAccess new cards and mobile credentials effectively with readers.

Understanding the reader

Lights at the top of the reader indicate whether a door is locked and whether access has been granted.

• Solid Blue: Door is locked and reader is reader to accept a card read.
• Solid Green: Door is unlocked and a card read is not required to gain access.
• Flashing Green: Card was successfully read and access is granted.
• Solid Red: Reader is locked and unable to read a card. Notify your supervisor, PI, or key control staff to request access to the door.
• Flashing Red: Card was read and access is denied. Notify your supervisor, PI, or key control staff to request access to the door.

Card presentation

AggieAccess credentials exchange digital encryption keys with the card reader every time a card is presented to a reader. This step is important in keeping data safe and impacts the best way to use your credentials.

• How should I present my card to the reader?
• For best results, quickly present your card directly in front of or against the center of the reader.
• How far away should the card be from the reader?
• Less than half an inch. Any further may prolong or prevent the reader successfully reading the card.
• How long will it take for the reader to read my card?
• Less than one second if presented quickly to the center of the reader. A slow presentation or waving the card may result in longer read times, up to five seconds.
• Can the card be read while in a plastic holder?
• Yes. Avoid storing the card in your phone case. Wireless charging your phone in a case holding the card can damage the card. 
• Can the card be read while in a holder on my phone case?
• Avoid storing the card in your phone case. Wireless charging your phone in a case holding the card can damage the card. 
• Can the card be read while behind other cards?
• Yes. The card can be placed next to your old access card, standard credit cards and debit cards. It should NOT be used when placed in a device with contactless smart card chips, such credit/debit cards with the WiFi symbol on them, to avoid interference.
• Can the card be read while in my wallet or purse?
• The reader has difficulty reading the AggieAccess through a wallet or purse, for best results remove the card to unlock.
• Can I punch a hole in my card to carry it?
• No. Punching a hole will destroy the card.

Using mobile credentials

The functionality between iOS and Android is more or less the same with some quirks. How to best use your mobile credentials will vary depending on your HID Mobile Access app settings.

Understanding HID Mobile Access app settings

• What are the differences in functionality between the various "Allow mobile access when" settings?

• "Always" will allow the user to use the app if it is running, in the foreground, background, or phone locked.
  "Device is unlocked" will allow the user to use the app if it is running, in the foreground or background.
  "App is in the foreground" will allow the user to use the app only if in the foreground/on the screen.

• What are the differences in functionality between the various location settings?

• If location permissions are set to "Always" or "Allow all of the time" the app will be more responsive.
  If location permissions are set to "Never" or "Deny" the app must always be open in the foreground/on the screen to function.

Using your mobile credentials

• How do I use my AggieAccess mobile credentials on my device?
• Unlock your phone, open the HID Mobile Access app and hold your phone up to the reader. Your settings will determine whether you can use your credentials while the app is not open or while your device is locked.
• Can I use my credentials if the HID Mobile Access app isn't open?
• If you have the location settings turned off you will need the app to be open in foreground. If location services are on and settings are set to "allow mobile access when device is unlocked," your credentials may be read while the app is running in the background.
• Can I use my mobile credentials if my phone is locked?
• When "Allow mobile access when" preferences are set to "Always," credentials can be read while your device is locked. This will allow your device to function the same as a physical access card.
• How close do I have to be for the reader to read my mobile credentials?
• When your device is unlocked the scanner will read your mobile credentials within 4-6 inches. When the app is in the foreground the scanner will read further away and faster. If your device is locked, hold it directly in front of or against the reader.

Android

• How do I use my AggieAccess mobile credentials through my notification bar?
• Android provides a notification feature so you can unlock a door from the notification bar. To enable this feature, set "App Notification" preferences to "Allow Mobile Access Notification Displayed" and "Unlock" preferences to "Unlock doors from the notification drawer." Under these settings, Anotification will appear when you approach a scanner. Use the drop down menu to unlock door rather than presenting your phone to the reader.
• What Bluetooth settings should I use?
• Set Bluetooth sensitivity to "Normal" for optimal use.
• Can I use NFC on my equipped Android device?
• Yes, HID Mobile Access supports NFC for Android devices and provides a great user experience.  Please refer to your device documentation to enable NFC on your device.

Apple Watch

• How do I use my AggieAccess mobile credentials on my Apple Watch?
• On your linked phone, download the HID Mobile Access app for the Apple Watch. If you set access and location settings to "Always allow," the reader will read your credentials and present a lock icon on your phone. Press the lock icon to unlock the door as you approach.

Having Issues?

If you've properly presented your credentials and they are not being read or you are being denied access to an area you should have access to, please contact your key control manager.