A method operates a server that is coupled to a network controlling door actuators at physical geo-locations. The server receives through a wireless communication network a request to enable physical access at a portal using a secure channel and a geo-location estimate from a mobile device. A circuit of the mobile device receives radio signal magnitude, phase, and power from at least one transmitter and authentication input from a user interface. Dual secured communications paths protect the server on its separately provisioned request channel and actuator command channel. Each legacy electronically controlled access portal is enabled to support smartphones without installing a replacement multi-band radio frequency reader at the geo-location.