Your Phone Is Your Access Card! HID Integrates with Apple Wallet for "Cardless" Access Control in Smart Buildings
Going cardless has become one of the strongest global trends in recent years.
Apple Wallet originally supported only credit cards and boarding passes, but has since evolved to integrate ID documents, keys, transit tickets, and employee badges, becoming almost a mobile identity hub for everyday life.
▌ Benefits of Cardless Access Control?
- Mobile devices are everywhere. Your phone is something you carry with you every day.
- High security: credentials are stored in the phone's Secure Element chip, so private keys are never exposed.
- Express Mode is ultra-convenient. No unlocking or opening the app is required to pass through or pay.
- Eco-friendly and energy-saving: reduces plastic card usage, supporting corporate ESG sustainability goals.
- Easy for enterprises to manage: issue or revoke credentials instantly, with support for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies.
Hong Kong's Nan Fung Group Deploys HID x Apple Wallet Employee Badges for a New Cardless Smart Office Experience
Hong Kong's Nan Fung Group was among the first to deploy HID-enabled Apple Wallet employee badges at its AIRSIDE smart office development.
Office tenants and employees can pass through entrances, gates, elevators, and access-controlled areas and copiers without opening an app or carrying a physical card. Simply tapping an iPhone or Apple Watch is enough.
Employees can complete setup through the NF Touch app to add their badge to Apple Wallet,turning it into a digital access card with access control permissions, combining convenience with security.
This solution also applies to co-working spaces and multi-tenant smart buildings, making it easy for businesses and property management to centrally manage access permissions.
From onboarding to building access in just minutes
Unlike traditional physical access cards, digital employee badges can be issuedthe same day, immediately upon onboarding.
There's no need to wait for card production or permission setup. New hires can gain access as soon as they download the app and complete verification.
Fully digital access permissions make onboarding faster and more secure.
Key Benefits of Using Apple Wallet for Access Control
▌ Privacy and Security Safeguards
When employees use their Employee Badge in Apple Wallet, their personal data and access records are never sent to or stored on Apple's servers.
▌ Access Still Works Even When Your iPhone Battery Is Low
Even if an iPhone is powered off or the battery is critically low, employees can still use the Employee Badge in Apple Wallet as an access credential through the device's built-in reserve power feature. Simply tap to unlock a door or pass through.
▌ Instant Protection Even If a Device Is Lost
If an employee loses an iPhone or Apple Watch, Find My can be activated immediately to remotely lock or locate the device, ensuring data and access credentials cannot be misused by others.
▌ Accessing Secure Areas
Using NFC technology, employees simply add their Employee Badge to Apple Wallet to easily and securely enter designated areas. Administrators can also require Face ID or Touch ID verification for an added layer of security without sacrificing convenience.
