# Preserve card-format meaning when configuring a UniFi Retrofit Hub

> Pilot the complete credential format and promised mobile features before approving a wiring-reuse migration.

- Canonical URL: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/preserve-card-format-meaning-when-configuring-a-unifi-retrofit-hub/
- Publisher: Detection Systems & Engineering (DSE Security)
- Author: DSE Security Editorial Team
- Published: 2026-10-15T13:32:13+00:00
- Modified: 2026-10-15T13:36:14+00:00
- Last reviewed by DSE: 2026-10-15
- Resource type: Guide
- DSE priority: Information
- Topics: Access Control
- Reading time: 2 minutes

## What you need to know

Pilot the complete credential format and promised mobile features before approving a wiring-reuse migration.

## Potentially affected

Applies to UA-Retrofit-Hub-2 and the compatible reader paths in the UniFi guide. Verify the actual installed reader and format; wiring reuse does not establish identical credential interpretation or feature support.

## DSE recommendation

DSE recommends documenting the full credential format before replacing the controller.

## Article

Pilot the complete credential format and promised mobile features before approving a wiring-reuse migration.

## Source facts

The UniFi Retrofit Hub supports compatible third-party Wiegand readers and UniFi Retrofit Readers, with model-specific unlock methods. When configuring a Wiegand reader, the selected card format must match the format emitted by the reader. The guide distinguishes raw data, formats containing a facility code and card number, and alternatives that omit the facility code. It also states that Touch Pass and Mobile Unlock require Retrofit Readers; retaining a Wiegand reader does not supply those reader-dependent capabilities.

Source: [Ubiquiti Help Center — Configuring the UniFi Retrofit Hub in UniFi Access](https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/34338807702679-Configuring-the-UniFi-Retrofit-Hub-in-UniFi-Access).

## Applicability

Applies to UA-Retrofit-Hub-2 and the compatible reader paths in the UniFi guide. Verify the actual installed reader and format; wiring reuse does not establish identical credential interpretation or feature support.

## DSE recommendation

DSE recommends documenting the full credential format before replacing the controller. Compare the reader’s emitted value with the intended identity representation and preserve facility-code meaning where the access design requires it. Pilot credentials from every relevant card population rather than one employee badge. List any expected mobile features against the actual reader type and resolve unsupported expectations before purchase. Have the access owner approve the migration mapping and retain the original configuration for rollback.

## Verification

On an isolated or approved pilot door, compare controlled cards that exercise the relevant facility and card-number fields. Verify each maps to the correct person and that an unassigned test card is denied. Test any promised mobile function on the specific reader path, and record format settings from both ends.

## Official reference

[Ubiquiti Help Center — Configuring the UniFi Retrofit Hub in UniFi Access](https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/34338807702679-Configuring-the-UniFi-Retrofit-Hub-in-UniFi-Access). Reviewed October 15, 2026.

## Primary reference

- Name: Ubiquiti Help Center — Configuring the UniFi Retrofit Hub in UniFi Access
- Authority: help.ui.com
- URL: https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/34338807702679-Configuring-the-UniFi-Retrofit-Hub-in-UniFi-Access
- Source publication date: Not stated by the source

## Citation and use

Preferred citation: “Preserve card-format meaning when configuring a UniFi Retrofit Hub,” DSE Security, https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/preserve-card-format-meaning-when-configuring-a-unifi-retrofit-hub/
Publishing principles: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-updates-editorial-methodology/
Usage and citation policy: https://update.dsesecurity.com/usage/
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