We are going to show you how to configure an Elatec TWN4 reader to read AccessGrid issued credentials on Apple Wallet. This is one of our preferred readers at AccessGrid, as it has an open configuration toolkit that is easy to use, called AppBlaster.
The Elatec TWN4 is a versatile reader, that can be used for everything from secure print, to actual building access.
In this set up, you'll need a few key components to set everything up:
Elatec reader from the Compatible Readers list below
Windows Machine with a USB slot
Internet connection
USB to serial cable (for Secustos models)
Let's take a look at what readers this article is going to work with before continuing.
Compatible readers
These instructions should work to configure any of the following readers from Elatec:
Secustos MU20 Legic
Secustos SG30 Legic (planned Q1 2026)
Secustos SQ80 Legic
TWN4 MultiTech 2 BLE
TWN4 MultiTech 2 LF HF
TWN4 MultiTech 2 HF
TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE
TWN4 MultiTech 3 LF HF
TWN4 MultiTech 3 HF
TWN4 USB Front Reader
TWN4 Slim
TWN4 Palon Compact
Now we're ready to get started!
Downloading the latest App Blaster
The first and most important step is to download the latest, secure version of App Blaster. App Blaster is a piece of configuration software from Elatec that makes reader configuration an extremely simple exercise.
Go ahead and download that, then unzip or extract the package so you can easily click into the folder.
Updating the firmware
Now, you'll need to put the latest and greatest firmware from Elatec on the reader before proceeding. In fact, you can watch a video of it from their team here.
The steps are pretty simple. Step 1 is to click on the "Program Firmware Image" option when you open AppBlaster.
App Blaster Main Screen
Once in there, step 2 is to select a firmware image from the folder you downloaded in the last section. It's in a sub folder named "Firmware".
AppBlaster firmware programming screen
Be sure to select Keyboard Standard if you're following this tutorial.
The last step is to click "Program Image". Watch the logs below. They're pretty straight forward. The last line should say "Done". If it fails, make sure your reader is connected.
Now we're ready to create a configuration. Close the "Program Firmware Image" window.
Adding transponders
Back at the main AppBlaster screen, click on "New Project (Configurable)". It will pop open a new window. We will use that standard Keyboard App for our purposes here.
AppBlaster project config screen
Now we will need to click on "Multi Keyboard V5.20App Standard V2.07" and then click "Select Template". When you're done, the left "Action Items" area should populate like so:
The versions in your installed AppBlaster can differ. That's OK. What matters is that you select the closest match and click "Select Template"
AppBlaster project config
Next you will need to add "Transponder Types". Click on that item in the "Action items" menu. It will change the right panel. AppBlaster should look like this:
Transponder list in AppBlaster
Now click "All" in the Category box. You should see "AccessGrid" at the top on the right in the Type box. Click the "Add" button.
AppBlaster / AccessGrid transponder option
It should now be in the "Active Transponder Types" box. Now we're ready to configure the AccessGrid Transponder.
Configuring the AccessGrid transponder
To configure your Elatec reader with AppBlaster to read Apple Wallet, you now need to click on the left, in the "Action Items" box on the "Transponder Types" option.
Transponder Types in Action Items
Now click on "AccessGrid when the option appears. You will see 4 fields (TCI, Key, Offset, Byte Count).
Configuring Apple Wallet for Elatec with AccessGrid
Now you need to fetch your TCI from the AccessGrid console. You should have already had your private key, but you can also use our default read key from our DESFire Simple Structure if you'd like. If you don't know how to create one, here is a handy openssl terminal command:
openssl rand -hex 16
Next you'll need to copy paste your TCI from the AccessGrid console, To get that, sign into your account, then go to the Card Templates page, then go a particular card template and click on the Settings icon in the top right corner.
AccessGrid console
Finally, you'll need to load this all into App Blaster (TCI, Read Key, Offset, Byte Count) and click "Create Image", then "Program Image" button with the Elatec reader connected.
🚨 It's very important that you set all of the fields correctly, or it will not allow for the reader to be programmed!
AppBlaster with AccessGrid keys for Apple Wallet
Now you're ready to issue an Apple Wallet credential!
Issuing a credential
In order to test our setup, we need Apple credentials. AccessGrid makes issuing and managing Apple Wallet credentials simple! So go ahead and open an account, go through onboarding, we'll be right here.
Now that you're set up, go ahead and issue an NFC key. Here's a sample using our python library:
fromaccessgridimportAccessGrid# get these from your access grid account
account_id="[placeholder]"secret_key="[placeholder]"card_template_id="[placeholder]"client=AccessGrid(account_id,secret_key)card=client.access_cards.provision(card_template_id=card_template_id,employee_id="101010101",card_number="42169",site_code="199",full_name="Jose Casanova",email="[email protected]",phone_number="+17867212241",classification="Employee",title="CEO",start_date="2025-04-03T22:46:25.601Z",expiration_date="2026-04-20T22:46:25.601Z")print(card.id)print(card.url)
Note that we set the card number and site code to arbitrary integer values. If you'd like to encode different information than a site code and card number, you can use our file_data parameter.
Download the pass using the link output from the script above. Each pass will transmit a compatible card number via the Elatec TWN4 when tapped.
Reading a credential
Be sure that the Elatec TWN4 is plugged in, open a notepad app and tap! You should see the site code and card number get printed as raw bytes to the notepad, here's a video to help you out:
Woohoo! We did it!
You could also theoretically pipe the output from the reader over Wiegand, or OSDP if you have a wall mounted NFC reader for access control. For that, you'd need to have used a different firmware, I believe!
Conclusion
Congrats! You did it! By following this guide, you've configured your Elatec TWN4 reader on a Windows device to read Apple Wallet credentials issued through AccessGrid. Along the way you installed AppBlaster, updated the reader's firmware, added the right transponder types, and dialed in the AccessGrid-specific settings - TCI, encryption keys, offset, and byte count - so that every pass transmits a compatible card number the moment it's tapped.
After reading this guide, you should have a solid understanding of how to get your Elatec TWN4 talking to your Apple Access passes. If you run into any trouble at all, please don't hesitate to reach out via the chat in the bottom right or email me at [email protected]; we're happy to help.
