top of page
Search

How to Use the SALTO Entry System: A 2026 Player's Guide

10 minutes ago
10 min read

Table of Contents

  • What the SALTO Entry System Does and Why Courts Use It

  • Salto KS Mobile App Setup: Getting Your Phone ReadyInstalling the App and Logging InAdding Your Digital Key Widget

    • Installing the App and Logging In

    • Adding Your Digital Key Widget

  • How to Book Squash Courts Online Before You Arrive

  • Step-by-Step: Unlocking the Door with Your SALTO Entry System

  • Troubleshooting SALTO Door Locks: What to Try FirstWhat to Do If Your Key Doesn't Work: A Resident's GuideBattery and Maintenance Indicators

    • What to Do If Your Key Doesn't Work: A Resident's Guide

    • Battery and Maintenance Indicators

  • Security Habits for Keyless Entry: Protecting Your Digital KeyWhat to Do If Your Phone Is Lost or StolenMobile Device Security for Digital Keys

    • What to Do If Your Phone Is Lost or Stolen

    • Mobile Device Security for Digital Keys

  • Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: September 13, 2026

What the SALTO Entry System Does and Why Courts Use It

A SALTO entry system is a cloud-managed access control platform that replaces physical keys with digital credentials stored on your smartphone. At Launceston Squash Centre, we use it so members can book a court online and walk straight in, any time between 6am and 11pm, without waiting for staff.

The system works through a small reader mounted beside each door. Your phone holds an encrypted digital key, and the reader checks that key against your booking before releasing the lock. No key handover, no reception desk, no queue.

Why does this matter for a squash facility? Because court hire is a self-service business. You want to play at 6am before work or 10pm after a late shift, and that only works if entry is automatic. The Australian Cyber Security Centre's guidance on securing mobile devices is worth reading if you want to understand how that digital credential is protected.

Salto KS Mobile App Setup: Getting Your Phone Ready

Setting up the Salto KS mobile app takes about five minutes: download it, log in with the details your club sends you, and add the digital key widget to your home screen. Once that's done, your phone is your key.

Installing the App and Logging In

Search your phone's app store for the Salto KS app and install it. Your club will send an invitation email or SMS with a registration link. Tap that link, create a password, and you're in.

A common mistake is registering with a different email address than the one your booking was made under. The system matches your digital credential to your member record, so mismatched details mean the door won't recognise you. If you're not sure which address you used, check with the centre before you arrive.

Adding Your Digital Key Widget

The digital key widget is a shortcut that lets you unlock a door without opening the app first. On iPhone, long-press your home screen, tap the plus icon, find Salto KS in the widget list, and add it.

On Android, the process varies by phone model, but it generally lives under widgets in your launcher settings. Once added, the widget shows your active keys. Tap one, and it communicates with the door reader over Bluetooth.

Pro Tip Add the widget before your first visit, not in the car park. Standing at a locked door trying to configure a home screen widget is a frustrating way to start a game.

How to Book Squash Courts Online Before You Arrive

Booking happens entirely online, and your entry permission is created automatically once the booking is confirmed. There's no separate step to activate your key.

The typical flow looks like this:

  1. Open the booking page and pick your date and time slot

  2. Choose your court and confirm the booking

  3. Receive a confirmation with your access window

  4. Arrive, tap your digital key, and play

Your access rights are time-bound. If you book 7pm to 8pm, your key opens the door shortly before 7pm and stops working after your slot ends. That's deliberate: it keeps the building secure outside booked hours and means nobody is wandering through the facility at 2am.

If you only play casually, you can book and pay per session without a membership. Ask about this directly, because the answer changes what you're committing to.

Step-by-Step: Unlocking the Door with Your SALTO Entry System

Unlocking a door takes two seconds: wake your phone, hold it near the reader, and wait for the light and beep. The reader does the rest.

A squash player in casual athletic wear holding a smartphone against a door reader at an indoor sports centre entrance, sports bag over their shoulder, warm evening lighting

Here's the exact sequence:

  1. Wake your phone. The screen needs to be on. It doesn't need to be unlocked on most configurations, but check with your club.

  2. Enable Bluetooth. This is the part people forget. The reader talks to your phone over Bluetooth Low Energy, so if Bluetooth is off, nothing happens.

  3. Hold your phone within a few centimetres of the reader. You don't need to tap it. Just hold it steady for a second or two.

  4. Wait for the green light and the beep. That's your confirmation the door has unlocked. Push or pull the door within a few seconds.

  5. Enter and let the door close behind you. Don't prop it open for someone else.

That last point matters more than it sounds. Propping a secure door defeats the entire system, and it's the single most common thing that undermines keyless entry at any facility.

Troubleshooting SALTO Door Locks: What to Try First

Most failed unlocks come down to three things: Bluetooth is off, the phone battery is flat, or the booking window hasn't started yet. Work through those before assuming the lock is broken.

Try this order:

  • Check Bluetooth is on. Nine times out of ten, this is it.

  • Check your booking time. Your key won't work outside your access window. If you've arrived early, wait.

  • Check your phone battery. A phone that's shut down can't transmit anything. If your battery is critically low, the reader won't get a signal.

  • Force-close and reopen the app. This refreshes the credential if it's stale.

  • Check for app updates. An out-of-date app can fail to communicate with newer lock firmware.

If none of that works, call the centre. Don't stand there for twenty minutes cycling through the same steps.

What to Do If Your Key Doesn't Work: A Resident's Guide

Most troubleshooting advice online is written for building managers, not for the person standing at the door. This section is for you, the resident, employee, or casual player who just wants to get inside.

If the reader shows no light at all: The lock may be in sleep mode or the battery may be flat. Try holding your phone against the reader for a full three seconds. If there's still no response, the lock itself may need attention, call the facility.

If the reader flashes red: Your credential has been rejected. This usually means your access window has expired, your booking was cancelled, or your account has been suspended. Check your booking confirmation email or app for the exact access times. If you believe your access should be active, call the centre, don't keep trying, as repeated failed attempts can be logged.

If the reader flashes green but the door won't open: The lock has released but the door mechanism is stuck. Try pushing or pulling firmly once. If it still won't move, don't force it, the door may be double-locked or the closer may be misaligned. Call the centre.

If your phone shows the key but nothing happens: Bluetooth may be connected to another device, or your phone's NFC may be interfering. Turn Bluetooth off and on again, then retry. On Android, check that the Salto KS app has location permission enabled, some Android versions require it for Bluetooth scanning (source.android.com).

If you've changed phones: Your digital key is tied to your account, not your device. Log in to the Salto KS app on your new phone with the same credentials and your keys should appear. If they don't, your club may need to re-issue the invitation.

If you're locked out after hours: Check whether your booking actually covers the current time. Access windows are strict, a 7pm booking won't open the door at 6:45pm. If you're locked out and it's urgent, use the after-hours contact number your club provided. Don't wait for someone else to arrive.

Pro Tip Screenshot your booking confirmation and save it to your phone's photos. If you're locked out and the app won't load, you'll at least have the access times and the centre's phone number to hand.

Battery and Maintenance Indicators

The locks run on batteries, and the system monitors them centrally. When a lock's battery is getting low, the facility gets an alert before it fails, which is why you'll rarely turn up to a dead lock.

From your side, the useful signal is consistency. If a door that normally responds instantly starts taking three or four attempts, mention it. That's often the first sign of a failing battery or a reader that needs attention, and reporting it early saves the next person the same hassle.

You can also check the Salto KS app for any maintenance notifications tied to your keys. If a lock is scheduled for service, the app may show a notice. If you see one, plan to use an alternative entrance if available.

Watch Out Never force a door that won't open. If the reader isn't releasing the lock, forcing it can damage the mechanism and leave the door unusable for everyone booked after you. Call the centre instead.

Security Habits for Keyless Entry: Protecting Your Digital Key

Your digital key is tied to your account, so treat your phone login the way you'd treat a house key. A few habits keep the system secure for everyone.

  • Use a screen lock. A PIN, pattern, or biometric lock on your phone is the first line of defence.

  • Don't share your login. Your credential is yours. Lending your phone to a mate so they can get in defeats the access log and puts your membership at risk.

  • Report a lost phone immediately. Your club can revoke the digital key remotely, which is far easier than changing a physical lock.

  • Keep the app updated. Updates carry security patches, not just new features.

The eSafety Commissioner's advice on protecting your accounts covers the basics of account security well, and the same principles apply here.

What to Do If Your Phone Is Lost or Stolen

This is the scenario most guides skip, yet it's the one that matters most. A lost phone with an active digital key is a security risk, but only if you don't act quickly.

Step 1: Revoke access remotely. Contact your club or building manager immediately. Salto KS allows administrators to revoke a user's digital key from the cloud, which disables it on the lost device the moment it next connects to the internet. If the phone is offline, the key will still work until it reconnects, so speed matters.

Step 2: Change your Salto KS password. Log in to the app from another device or the web portal and change your password. This prevents anyone who finds your phone from accessing your account if they guess your PIN.

Step 3: Use your phone's remote wipe feature. Both iPhone and Android have built-in tools to erase a lost device remotely. If you have a screen lock, the thief can't easily access your apps, but a remote wipe removes all doubt.

Step 4: Ask for a replacement key. Once your old key is revoked, your club can issue a new digital key to your replacement phone. This is usually instant and doesn't require a physical visit.

What if you find your phone again? If you've already revoked the key, you'll need a new one issued. If you haven't, and your phone was never out of your possession, no action is needed, but it's worth checking the app's access history for any unfamiliar entries.

Watch Out Don't wait until the end of the day to report a lost phone. Every minute your key is active is a minute someone could use it. A quick call to the centre is all it takes to disable it.

Mobile Device Security for Digital Keys

Beyond loss and theft, a few device-level habits protect your digital key:

  • Enable two-factor authentication on your Salto KS account if your club supports it. This adds a second layer beyond your password.

  • Avoid jailbroken or rooted phones. These can bypass the app's built-in security checks and may prevent the app from working correctly.

  • Don't install the app on a shared device. Your digital key should live on a phone only you use.

  • Check app permissions. The Salto KS app needs Bluetooth and, on some Android versions, location permission to scan for locks. It doesn't need access to your contacts or photos, if it asks, deny it.

Key Takeaway Your phone is your key, so your phone's security is your access security. A screen lock, a quick call if you lose the device, and a password change cover almost every risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the SALTO entry system let you use your phone as a key?

Yes. Once your booking is confirmed, a digital credential is issued to your smartphone through the SALTO KS app. You hold the phone near the door reader and the lock releases. There is no physical key or card to collect. The system uses Bluetooth Low Energy, so the phone does not need to touch the reader. If your phone battery is flat, contact the centre before your session to arrange alternative entry.

What should I do if my digital key is not unlocking the door?

First, check that Bluetooth is switched on and that your booking is still active for the current time. Open the app and refresh your key list. If the door still will not open, try restarting the app or your phone. If the problem continues, use the contact details on the centre's website. Most issues are resolved by refreshing the key or updating the app to the latest version.

Do I need an internet connection to use my digital key at the door?

No. The SALTO entry system uses Bluetooth Low Energy to communicate between your phone and the door reader, so you do not need mobile data or Wi-Fi at the entrance. You will need a connection when you first set up the app, download your key or book a court online. After that, the key sits on your phone and works offline at the door.

How long is my digital access valid for after booking a court?

Your digital key is typically active for the duration of your booked session, plus a short buffer before and after so you can arrive and leave without rushing. The exact window depends on the booking settings. If you need to extend your time, book an additional session through the online system. Your key updates automatically once the new booking is confirmed.

Squash shouldn't involve standing in a car park waiting for someone with a key. Launceston Squash Centre runs a fully self-service setup: book online, arrive when it suits you, and tap in with the Salto KS app. With extended hours from 6am to 11pm, flexible membership options for casual and regular players, and a simplified entry process through your phone, the only thing left to organise is your game. Book online with Launceston Squash Centre and get on court.

Book Online

 
 
 

Comments


bottom of page