# KastlePresence — user reviews

> 84 indexed App Store user reviews of KastlePresence by Kastle Systems, rated 3.10/5 from 307 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kastlepresence/id1061078659/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kastlepresence/id1061078659.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 140 · 4★ 13 · 3★ 15 · 2★ 21 · 1★ 118

## 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

## Newest reviews (18 of 84)

### 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

### 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 — Least Reliable App I’ve Ever Had

*2025-02-25*

I only need this app to open one single door to get into my office and it is constantly a problem. 3 of my last 8 trips to the office there has been some kind of issue that at best has required me to delete and redownload the app. At worst it’s never worked and IT has had to manually buzz me in from across the country. I long for the days when I could get into my office with a physical key fob. Could not recommend this app less for any establishment looking for a key access solution.

### 2/5 — Painting over issues to make it look nice doesn’t fix the rotten core

*2024-12-03*

When it works, it’s fine. Being able to walk up to a door and have it unlock with no interaction is lovely.

But when it breaks, good luck!

The app needs you to open it up too often to refresh keys. The max range is a little short. The whole UX of the app is really sub-par. But usually you don’t use the app so not a big deal.

But when a wire in their conduit breaks, and their tech admits it’s their fault, good luck getting anyone to come out and actually fix the problem. Our account manager apparently left the company and no one notified us for months. They said they came to our site and did some work, but no one had actually showed up.

I’m sure it’s all roses when you’re signing the contract but dam, the day to day issues are a pita.

**Developer response:** Thanks so much for taking time to provide your feedback. We’ll pass this on to the team for review! If your company is using the Apple Wallet Employee Badge (NFC Digital Key), then you will be able to add the pass to your wallet on your Apple Watch so you can leave your phone behind. With the BLE Digital Key, you must use to your phone to unlock doors.

### 1/5 — horrible app

*2024-10-16, version 7.0.5*

atrocious UI and never works

### 1/5 — Release apple watch app

*2024-09-30, version 7.0.5*

Please release apple watch companion app

### 1/5 — Can’t get into the app

*2024-05-15*

The app decided to “upgrade” while I was in my building’s underground garage.   So of course it failed.  When I got above ground, it asked me to enter my work email and cell.  It then made me approve the long EULA before telling me it was the wrong email (it wasn’t)

So, step 1 - have the app check the user’s credentials before presenting the EULA

Step 2 - have an alternative method, like a forgot password prompt

**Developer response:** Thanks for your feedback. We've passed your suggestions on to the development team.

### 2/5 — Doesn’t work unless app is open

*2024-04-24, version 7.0.4*

Says that it should work with location services on always and app not running. But it only works for me if the app is open

### 1/5 — Keeps Crashing

*2024-03-06, version 7.0.0*

Very annoying and unable to gain access to our office because the iPhone app keeps crashing. Reinstalled. Rebooted. Still a problem. No response from support.

### 1/5 — I was forced to download this app so I’m leaving a negative review

*2024-03-05, version 7.0.0*

See above.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2024-03-04, version 7.0.0*

App doesn’t work customer service is useless

### 1/5 — Crashing app

*2024-03-03, version 7.0.0*

This app constantly crashes and only works intermittently. Terrible product which detracts from productivity

### 1/5 — Recent update is a failure

*2024-02-29*

The most recent version that Kastle claims offers “significant improvements to performance “ does the exact opposite. The app no longer works (tried all the basic troubleshooting things, delete and re-add, etc). App doesn’t open any doors, and crashes upon opening the app. It’s been about a week now, and Kastle hasn’t cared enough to fix the app, and seems in no hurry to do so.

### 1/5 — Rather have a physical key fob.

*2024-02-23, version 7.0.0*

The service is inconsistent. Feels like every other time try to call an elevator or open a door app prompts apple pay. Its very annoying and just a hassle. While its a cool idea to have your phone act as a key, this app is still far from delivering on that promise.

### 1/5 — Won’t work after updating

*2024-02-23, version 7.0.0*

After yesterday’s update the app asked to re-register and then crashed, only opens for a second after that then crashes again and again. Unusable at the moment

### 3/5 — Apple Watch

*2024-01-02, version 6.2.0*

I only have this app to access the elevators in my office building. I’d really like to have this app on my watch so I don’t even need to take my phone out and wave it on the elevator reader.

### 1/5 — Worst app, Technology gone bad

*2023-11-09*

This is the worst app I have ever used on an iPhone. This is an example of technology making our lives more difficult and complicated. Using a badge for building and elevator access is a lot more effective than this app. Almost every time you open this app it has several annoying pop ups that do not let the app work effectively, causing you delays to open doors or use an elevator.  Often times in my case I am carrying my laptop bag and maybe other items that make it really difficult to dismiss the pop ups and operate the elevator in a timely manner.

### 1/5 — You don’t need my phone number

*2023-06-15, version 6.2.0*

There is no legitimate reason for this app to need your personal phone number. 

Any app that requires you to enter your phone number has a mandate to collect personal information.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 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

### 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.

### 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.

### 1/5 — Worst app of all time

*2025-05-28*

This is the worst app I’ve ever used. Every time I try to scan in, it immediately defaults to my debit card instead of working properly. It rarely works on the first try and is incredibly frustrating. I constantly have issues using it to access my office and the elevator. It usually takes 3–5 attempts just to get in each day. This app seriously needs to be fixed.

### 1/5 — Bad App

*2025-04-01, version 7.1.0*

The verification codes do not work. Poorly designed app.

### 1/5 — Test message1

*2025-03-01, version 7.1.0*

App regularly sends out pointless test message notifications.

### 1/5 — Please stop testing your push notifications in production

*2025-02-28, version 7.1.0*

I’m tired of getting “Test Message1” notifications constantly

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 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!

### 5/5 — A breeze

*2022-03-11, version 6.0.0*

Easy and intuitive.

### 5/5 — Any plans for a Watch applet?

*2022-03-07, version 5.5.1*

Title says it all

### 5/5 — One request

*2021-11-17*

I like the app. It works fine. Can you add the ability to get the Open Door button to simultaneously appear on my Apple Watch? I would prefer to tap a button on my wrist than pull out my phone.

**Developer response:** Thanks for your feedback. An Apple Watch version of the app is on our 2022 product roadmap.

### 5/5 — Work flawlessly (Touchless Everything)

*2021-07-27*

My building just upgraded their elevators to touchless.

I go from the turnstiles all the way upstairs into my office with out taking my phone out of my pocket.

Welcome to the future Doc!

**Developer response:** Thanks for the feedback -  we're glad you're enjoying the app!

### 5/5 — Life-saver when left access-card at home

*2021-05-31, version 5.3.0*

use it for touchless elevator control at our building - works perfectly every time.

### 5/5 — Great for pandemic safety

*2020-09-18*

My company is using this app in conjunction with some motorized doors and a “destination” elevator at our building.  Walking through doors hands free is of course fantastic, but I also really appreciate the touch free destination elevator integration.  It’s not normally a big deal to touch an elevator display to select what floor I want to go to, but these aren’t normal times, and I’d rather keep my interactions with high-touch surfaces to a minimum.  The app lets me select my floor through it - so no touching the elevator display.

### 5/5 — After iOS 11.1; Update

*2018-10-14*

I updated my phone to iOS 11.1 and I had to resign into the kastle app. When I put in the new temporary pin, it ask if this device is the only dedicated device I want to use. I try to press yes but the button doesn’t work. I try to press no and that button doesn’t work. It just freezes on me.

Update: After deleting the app and reinstalling, it worked.

**Developer response:** Thanks for reporting this problem. We have identified the issue and provided a fix around it. Please update your app to the latest version (2.1.1) and let us know if you still face any issue with registration.

### 5/5 — Love it!!

*2018-10-09*

Super easy and intuitive. Love that doors unlock for me just as I arrive at them! And, it even let’s me unlock doors in other areas without me being present if I need to let someone in.

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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.*