# KastlePresence

> Mobile access control for secure and convenient workplace entry and building management. (iPhone/iPad app by Kastle Systems.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kastlepresence/id1061078659 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Kastle Systems](https://appshunter.io/developer/1061078658)
- Category: Business, Productivity
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.10/5 from 307 App Store ratings · 84 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 302 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-12-19
- Data updated: 2026-08-24
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kastlepresence/id1061078659/reviews.md

## What is KastlePresence?

With KastlePresence, you can unlock doors, access shared spaces, receive building updates, and interact with your workplace or residential community—all from one secure app.

At Work
KastlePresence helps employees access the modern workplace with ease and security.
- Unlock office doors and access-controlled areas with your phone
- Enter your building using secure mobile credentials
- Move between authorized spaces without badges or keycards
- Receive workplace updates and notifications
Whether you’re arriving for the day or moving between spaces, KastlePresence makes workplace access simple and secure.

At Home
For residents, KastlePresence provides convenient access to your residential building and amenities.
- Unlock residential entrances and amenity spaces
- Access common areas like gyms, lounges, or shared amenities
- Receive announcements from building management
- Enjoy secure access without physical keys or fobs
KastlePresence helps simplify everyday living by putting secure building access on your phone.

Trusted Security
KastlePresence runs on Kastle’s trusted security platform used by leading workplaces, commercial properties, and residential communities, delivering enterprise-grade protection for people and buildings.

Who Can Use This App
KastlePresence is for users whose workplace or residential community uses Kastle security services. Features may vary by organization. Activation instructions are provided by your administrator or property manager.

System Requirements:
iPhone 6S or later, with Bluetooth enabled
iOS 15 or later

## Key features

- Touchless mobile access
- Remote door unlocking
- Hands-free entry
- Real-time occupancy monitoring
- Location-based services
- Mass notification capabilities

## What do users think of KastlePresence?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 🚀 Hands-free touchless access when working properly
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use interface
- 🔒 Convenient mobile credential replacement for physical badges
- ✨ Works seamlessly for some users without taking phone out
- 🌟 Great for pandemic safety with contactless door/elevator access

**Cons**

- 🐛 Unreliable and inconsistent functionality - works only 10-30% of the time
- 📱 Requires app to be open despite claims of background operation
- 🔋 Severe battery drain and excessive power consumption
- ⚠️ Constantly triggers Apple Pay instead of scanning properly
- 💥 Frequent crashes and freezing, often requiring reinstall
- 🐢 Slow app loading times (15-20+ seconds)
- 🚫 Poor customer support and unresponsive to issues
- 🔐 Invasive permissions requests (phone number, location tracking, wallet access)
- 📵 Requires frequent re-registration and authentication
- ❌ Doesn't work with app closed despite location services enabled
- 🎯 Inconsistent range and sensitivity settings that don't work as advertised
- ⚡ Requires multiple attempts (3-5+) to access doors/elevators
- 🔄 Frequent unwanted updates that break functionality
- 📢 Sends test notifications and spam messages in production

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch or during use
- Login screen freezes and won't proceed
- Incompatibility with iOS 11, 12, and newer versions
- App closes immediately after launching
- Bluetooth connectivity issues
- Door unlock button produces spinning icon with no action
- Keyboard doesn't disappear after PIN entry, blocking continue button
- App logs users out frequently requiring re-authentication
- Update process fails mid-upgrade
- Verification codes don't work
- Registration fails with 'request did not go through' error
- Carousel effects at lobby access points prevent selection
- Elevator section doesn't respond to touch commands
- Hands-free functionality stops working after updates

**Most requested features**

- Apple Watch companion app (most frequently requested)
- Apple Wallet integration
- Background operation without opening app
- Improved range and sensitivity settings
- Option to disable wallet access prompts
- Dark mode
- Wearable device support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 84)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kastlepresence/id1061078659/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Fantastic new update, incredibly smooth!

*2026-05-21*

I was a little nervous about downloading the new version, thinking it would take forever to log back in and reconfigure everything, but it was incredibly easy! I used it this morning to get into my office garage and it worked perfectly on the very first try. The app feels much faster and more reliable. Great job to the team on this release!

**Developer response:** thanks for your feedback!

### 5/5 — Way better!!

*2026-05-14*

Really impressed with the direction KastlePresence is heading. The new 8.0 update feels like a major improvement compared to the older versions, especially now that it supports multifamily communities in addition to commercial buildings.

You can tell Kastle been listening to customer feedback and actually making meaningful change to improve the experience. The app feels smoother easier to use and much more practical for day-to-day operations and resident access. Expanding mobile access into multifamily is honestly a huge move and something the industry has needed. 

It’s nice seeing a company continue to improve their platform instead of letting it stay outdated. Definitely excited to see what they continue adding moving forward. Would highly recommend.

**Developer response:** thanks for your feedback!

### 1/5 — Poor performance and battery drain

*2026-04-22, version 7.2.0*

Software engineer here, this app is an unoptimized heap of trash that is going to drain your battery all day long.  Pick anything else.

### 1/5 — Was working fine until last update

*2026-01-29, version 7.2.0*

App is useless unless I have it open.  Settings are set to always but still doesn’t work. This was fine until the latest update.  This is useless unless it works on the background

### 1/5 — Not the best program

*2026-01-28*

I use this because my work requires it for access to the office. I am not at all happy with it. It only works part of the time. I have to ring the doorbell to get in the other times to get someone to come let me in. It ALWAYS tries to get into my wallet. I do not have an employee badge saved to my wallet and it doesn’t give me the option to NOT go to the wallet. That is NOT ok.  There is NO reason for it to want to access my wallet. The sensitivity settings do not work. I set it to recognize me when i am near the door, but I still have to hold my phone directly on the access pad and move it around to get in. “Without opening the app “ is not true. I always have to open it and let it run in the background for it to work.

### 1/5 — Insanely slow

*2025-10-23, version 7.2.0*

Please make it faster

### 2/5 — Apple wallet & watch?

*2025-10-16, version 7.2.0*

There’s no way to add to Apple wallet, nor there’s Apple Watch app at all

### 1/5 — Buggy Trash

*2025-07-23, version 7.2.0*

Constantly triggers apple pay instead of scanning properly. Frequent freezing and crashing. All around difficult to gain access to any door or elevator, too bad our commercial landlord forces us to use this.

### 3/5 — Works fine / add Apple Watch

*2025-07-21*

The app works fine, including when my phone is locked and in my pocket for some of the sensors in the office, but others, such as the elevator cabs and one interior door need my phone to be unlocked, with the app foregrounded, and close to the reader, which is inconvenient.  It would be awesome if you had an Apple Watch app that solved that.

### 1/5 — Open nothing

*2025-07-04, version 7.2.0*

Seems like it will pick up the right card reader location but “unlocking” does nothing. Press and hold to unlock just gives you a spinning icon. Our building is moving to this app and really needs some tweaking before a full rollout.

## Frequently asked questions about KastlePresence

### What does KastlePresence do?

KastlePresence provides secure and convenient access control for workplaces using mobile technology. It allows users to unlock doors, turnstiles, and parking gates hands-free, activate smart elevators, and monitor real-time occupancy of shared spaces.

### What are the key features of KastlePresence?

Key features include touchless mobile access, remote door unlocking, hands-free entry, real-time occupancy monitoring for shared spaces, location-based services for building information, and mass notification capabilities for employees and tenants.

### Is KastlePresence free to use?

Yes, KastlePresence is free to download. The system is administered by your system administrator through the myKastle portal, implying that the cost is managed at the organizational level.

### What are the system requirements for KastlePresence?

To use KastlePresence, you need an iPhone 6S or later with Bluetooth enabled and running iOS 14 or later. Your employee badge can also be added to Apple Wallet for access with your iPhone and Apple Watch.

### How can KastlePresence be used in a workplace?

KastlePresence can be used for secure and convenient entry into the workplace, including doors, turnstiles, and parking gates. It also facilitates touchless elevator control, provides real-time occupancy data for amenities like fitness centers, and enables mass notifications.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 8.1.0 — 2026-07-09

KastlePresence 8.1 includes the following updates:

Multifamily staff & vendor access: Building staff and vendors can now use KastlePresence as their access credential — unlock doors and get support right from the app.
Performance and stability improvements

### 8.0.1 — 2026-05-06

The latest version contains bug fixes and performance improvements.

### 8.0.0 — 2026-05-04

KastlePresence 8.0 introduces a major update with new features and improvements:
- Updated design: A refreshed look with improved organization for easier navigation.
- Expanded property support: Use the app at any property that uses Kastle for access control, including office, residential, and parking locations.
- Video intercom: Answer phone or video calls directly from the video intercom.
- Multiple user profiles: Manage access across multiple properties from a single app.

### 7.2.0 — 2025-05-16

KastlePresence 7.2 includes a number of enhancements and bug fixes including:

- Support for an upcoming standardized wallet credential
- Improved handling of HID wallet passes
- More informative display on the Digital Keys screen
- Addresses an issue where some users were not able to register and continually received "Response Invalid"
- Addresses an issue where users were not able to interact with Kastle BLE readers after restoring their device from a backup

### 7.1.0 — 2024-10-16

KastlePresence Version 7.1 includes bug fixes and performance improvements

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## More apps by Kastle Systems

- [VisitorPass](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/visitorpass/id1235450093)
- [KastleResident](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kastleresident/id1326765477)
- [KastleAlert](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kastlealert/id1669198136)
- [JBG SMITH OFFICE](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jbg-smith-office/id6450704305)
- [Kastle Technician](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kastle-technician/id6742455536)

All apps by Kastle Systems: https://appshunter.io/developer/1061078658

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*