How self storage gate access works
Every gate access system has the same basic job. It checks a tenant credential, decides whether that tenant may enter now, and opens the gate. It also logs the attempt.
The decision usually comes from your management software. When a tenant rents, pays or falls behind, the access system updates their permissions. The credential is only the way the tenant proves who they are.
Three credential types are common at self storage facilities today:
- Keypad codes. The tenant types a personal code at a keypad by the gate.
- Bluetooth credentials. The tenant's phone talks to a reader at the gate over short range.
- Mobile app over the internet. The tenant taps a button and a cloud service tells the gate to open.
Many sites run more than one at once. A keypad often stays as a fallback when phone-based access is added.
Keypad codes
Keypads are the most familiar option for tenants. They need no phone and no app. A tenant gets a code at move-in and uses it every visit.
PTI Security Systems, a long-standing keypad maker, describes its keypad as "the industry-standard keypad for self-storage."[1] That is the vendor's own description.
Strengths
- Works for every tenant, including those without smartphones.
- Simple to explain on a phone call or in a move-in email.
- Does not depend on the tenant's phone battery or signal.
Weaknesses
- Codes can be shared or watched over a shoulder.
- Tenants forget codes, which creates calls.
- Keypads sit outdoors and need maintenance and weather protection.
Bluetooth credentials
With Bluetooth, the tenant's phone acts as the key. The tenant opens an app near the gate, and the phone sends a credential to a reader. The reader checks it and opens the gate.
Janus International describes its Nokē keypads as Bluetooth devices. It says the Nokē Screen has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and the NokēPad uses Bluetooth 4.0 and mesh connectivity.[2] Janus also states the NokēPad lets tenants open gates by smartphone or key-in code.[2]
Strengths
- The tenant must be physically near the gate to open it.
- Credentials are harder to pass around than a written code.
- The same app can often open unit smart locks too.
Weaknesses
- Tenants need a compatible smartphone with Bluetooth turned on.
- Phone pairing problems become support calls.
- Readers and their connection to the cloud need maintenance.
Mobile app access over the internet
Some apps open the gate through the internet rather than a short-range link. The tenant taps a button, the request goes to a cloud service, and the service signals the gate controller.
This model depends on two connections: the tenant's phone data and the site's internet. If either fails, the tenant needs a fallback. Ask how the vendor confirms the tenant is actually at the gate, since a remote tap could open it from anywhere.
Vendors describe these apps in general terms. PTI, for example, lists tenant and operator mobile apps under its "Mobile Solutions."[1] Its StorLogix Cloud page describes managing facility access from "one cloud-based account."[3] Check each vendor's documentation for how the connection actually works.
Strengths
- Staff can often open a gate remotely for a tenant or vendor.
- Works with any phone that can run the app and has data.
- Can combine access, payments and notices in one app.
Weaknesses
- Depends on mobile data and the site's internet connection.
- Location checks vary in strength between vendors.
- Tenants without smartphones still need another option.
Decision table
Use this table to match each option to your site. Score each row for your facility before speaking to vendors.
| Factor | Keypad code | Bluetooth credential | App over internet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenant needs a smartphone | No | Yes | Yes |
| Works if site internet is down | Depends on controller | Depends on reader design | Usually not |
| Works if tenant phone is dead | Yes | No | No |
| Tenant must be at the gate | Yes | Yes, short range | Depends on location checks |
| Risk of credential sharing | Higher, codes are easy to pass on | Lower | Lower |
| Remote opening by staff | Depends on system | Depends on system | Often available |
| Also opens unit smart locks | Rarely | Often, with same vendor | Sometimes |
| Typical support questions | Forgotten codes | Pairing and Bluetooth settings | App sign-in and data signal |
| Fits unmanned sites | Yes, with remote code resets | Yes, with a fallback | Yes, with a fallback |
The "depends" cells matter most. Ask each vendor to answer them for your exact hardware.
What each option means for remote management
If you run a site without full-time staff, gate access becomes your front desk. Think through the calls you will get at night.
- Locked-out tenant. Can you see why access was denied, and reissue or reset access remotely?
- Delivery or mover. Can you issue a one-time or time-limited credential?
- Emergency services. How do fire and police get in? Plan this with your local agencies.
- Power or internet loss. Does the gate fail open, fail closed, or hold its last state?
Pair gate logs with cameras so you can see who entered on each credential. Our camera placement guide covers where to point gate cameras. For the wider picture, see running an unmanned self storage facility.
Combining options
Few sites choose only one method. A common pattern keeps a keypad for every tenant and adds phone access for those who want it. This reduces lockouts when a phone fails.
If you also plan unit smart locks, check whether the same app and credential cover both. One credential is simpler for tenants and staff. See our guide to evaluating smart locks for unit-level questions.
Before switching, test with a group of tenants. Track the support questions they raise during the first weeks.
Questions for gate access vendors
Use these questions to fill in the "depends" cells in the decision table. Ask for written answers.
- Which credentials does your system support at the gate today: code, Bluetooth, app, card?
- What happens at the gate when the site's internet connection drops?
- What happens at the gate during a power cut?
- How does an app-based opening confirm the tenant is at the gate?
- Which management software platforms do you integrate with, and how quickly do changes sync?
- Can staff issue time-limited codes for movers, vendors or auctioneers?
- How are tenant credentials and staff admin accounts protected?
- Does the gate log show which credential type was used for each entry?
- Can we keep our existing gate operator and keypad, or must they be replaced?
- Who services the gate hardware, and what is the response time?
Compare the answers side by side. A vendor that cannot answer clearly in writing may be hard to work with later.
Many gate systems now extend to the unit door. See how smart storage units work for what that adds to your network and software.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bluetooth gate access more secure than a keypad?
Bluetooth credentials are harder to share casually than a code. Real security depends on the vendor's encryption, account controls and your own policies. Ask each vendor how credentials are protected.
Should I remove the keypad when I add an app?
Most operators keep a fallback for tenants without smartphones or with dead phones. Removing the keypad can increase lockout calls. Decide based on your tenant mix.
Can I open the gate remotely for a tenant?
Many cloud-connected systems allow it. Check whether the action is logged and limited to authorised staff. Confirm who is at the gate first, ideally on camera.
What happens to gate access when a tenant is delinquent?
Most systems follow account status from your management software. You set the rules for when access is suspended. Follow your lease and applicable state law; this guide is not legal advice.
Do I need new gate hardware to add phone access?
Sometimes. Some vendors add readers to existing controllers, while others need new keypads or controllers. Ask for a site-specific hardware list.
Sources
- PTI Security Systems home page (keypads and mobile solutions), PTI Security Systems (accessed October 24, 2026)
- Introducing the Nokē Hardware, Janus International (accessed October 24, 2026)
- StorLogix Cloud, PTI Security Systems (accessed October 24, 2026)