Apple Wallet facts for kids
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The Wallet app in iOS 15 and watchOS 8
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| Other names | Passbook (2012–2015) |
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| Developer(s) | Apple Inc. |
| Operating system | iOS watchOS |
| Service name | Apple Wallet (Wallet for short) |
| Type | Digital wallet app |
Apple Wallet (also called Wallet) is a special app made by Apple Inc.. It comes on iOS (for iPhones) and watchOS (for Apple Watches). Wallet lets you keep many important things in one digital place. You can store things like coupons, airplane tickets, student ID cards, government ID cards, car keys, and event tickets. Since iOS 8.1, you can also add your credit cards and debit cards to use with Apple Pay.
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How Wallet Started
Apple first announced the app as "Passbook" on June 11, 2012, at a big Apple event. It was released with iOS 6 on September 19, 2012. Later, when iOS 9 came out on September 16, 2015, the app was renamed "Apple Wallet."
What Wallet Can Do
Wallet can show different types of barcodes, like Aztec, PDF417, and QR codes. Since iOS 9, it also shows Code 128 barcodes. Each digital coupon or ticket you add is called a "pass."
When you open Wallet for the first time, it shows you how to find apps that work with Wallet on the App Store. You can also get passes online through Safari, by email, or by scanning a code with Wallet's built-in scanner.
Your passes are kept in sync between your Apple devices using iCloud. This means if you add a pass on your iPhone, it will also show up on your Apple Watch. Wallet works on iPhone and iPod Touch, but not on iPad.
Since iOS 16, Wallet can also help you track packages you bought using Apple Pay. It shows you order details and shipping updates.
Here are some cool things Wallet can do:
- It shows 2D barcodes (Aztec, PDF417, QR) and 1D barcodes (Code 128).
- Passes can pop up on your screen when you are near a certain place.
- Passes can also appear at a specific time.
- Wallet can store passes in many different languages (up to 35!).
- Passes can be updated automatically by the company that issued them.
- Since iOS 17, you can use Wallet to track mobile IDs and make regular payments with Apple Cash.
Express Mode and Power Reserve
"Express Mode" makes it super fast to use certain cards. It first appeared as "Express Transit" in iOS 12.3. With Express Mode, you can use supported payment cards or transit cards (like Octopus or Suica) to pay for rides on public transport without needing to unlock your device or use Touch ID or Face ID. You just hold your device near the card reader.
Express Mode now works with many types of cards, including home keys, transit cards, access badges, campus IDs, hotel keys, and car keys. However, you can usually only set one of each type to Express Mode. For example, only one campus ID can be in Express Mode at a time. If you have an Apple Watch, you can use Express Mode passes on both your iPhone and Watch.
On newer iPhones (iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone SE 2nd generation, and later), Express Mode cards can still work for up to five hours even after your phone's battery dies. A special low-battery icon will appear, letting you know that your Express cards are still ready to use. This "power reserve" feature works for transit payments but not for other types of payments. It is not available on Apple Watch models.
How Wallet Connects to Other Services
Passes in Wallet are like digital tickets or cards. They are created by companies and can be updated at any time. Other apps can also work with the passes stored in your Wallet.
The simplest way to use a pass is by scanning a 2D barcode or QR code. This needs you to start the action.
In 2014, stores started using iBeacon technology. This allowed them to send a notice to your phone's lock screen when you were nearby.
In 2015, Apple added the ability to use loyalty cards in Wallet with Payment terminals using NFC. For example, Walgreens allowed customers to add their Balance Rewards card to Wallet and tap their phone to the terminal to earn points.
In 2016, with the iPhone 7, Apple Pay started supporting Japan's IC e-cards like Suica. You could add these cards to Wallet and use your iPhone to pay for transit just like a physical card. You could also add money to your digital Suica card directly from your iPhone using a debit or credit card in Wallet. Later, Japan's PASMO card also became supported in 2020.
In 2018, some universities started allowing students to add their contactless Campus cards to Wallet. These digital IDs work like physical RFID cards. The power reserve feature on some iPhones and Apple Watches lets you use your campus ID even if your battery is low.
In 2020, you could add car keys to Apple Wallet, starting with some BMW cars. You can even share these digital keys with friends and family and set limits on how they can use the car. These keys can work using UWB technology for even better features.
In 2021, Apple announced that you could store government-issued ID cards, resort passes, home keys, and business IDs in Wallet. As of October 2024, several U.S. States allow residents to store their IDs in the Wallet app.
In 2022, Apple added a new feature to track your Apple Pay orders directly in Wallet.
Money Services in Wallet
Apple Account
Your Apple Account is like a digital gift card managed within Wallet. You can add money from iTunes and Apple gift cards. Then you can use this balance to buy things at physical Apple Stores using Apple Pay, or online for Apple's services and products. This feature is available in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Japan.
Apple Card
Apple Card is a special credit card from Apple. It's managed right inside your Wallet app. Goldman Sachs works with Apple to provide this service. When you use Apple Card, you can earn "Daily Cash" back when you shop at certain places. You can use a digital version of the card with Apple Pay wherever Mastercard is accepted. There's also a physical card, but it doesn't have NFC for tap-to-pay. Apple Card is only available in the United States.
In November 2023, it was announced that Goldman Sachs would no longer be Apple's partner for Apple Card within the next year and a half.
Savings Account
Goldman Sachs also offers a savings account for Apple Card holders. This account can earn interest on your savings. You don't need a savings account to use Apple Card.
Apple Cash
Apple Cash is a service in Wallet that lets you send and receive money from friends and family. It's like a digital cash card. Green Dot Bank works with Apple to provide this. You can send money through the Wallet or Messages apps on your Apple devices, or by tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch with another user's device. You can also add a digital Apple Cash card to Apple Pay to use wherever Visa cards are accepted. This service is only available in the United States.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay is a service within Wallet that lets you make payments using your linked bank cards. It works with many banks and card networks. Apple Pay is available in many countries around the world.
FinanceKit
FinanceKit is a tool that lets other apps show information from your Apple Card, Apple Cash, Savings, and orders stored in Wallet. This is only available for apps in the American App Store.
Where Wallet is Available
The Apple Wallet app comes preinstalled on most iPhones and Apple Watches worldwide. Developers from many countries can create passes for Wallet. However, Apple Pay, which is part of Wallet, is available in fewer countries.
Region-Specific Features
Some features in Wallet are only available if your device is set to a specific region:
- E-Money (WAON, nanaco) is available in Japan.
- Apple Card Family, Apple Cash Family, and select State IDs are available in the United States.
Supported Loyalty Programs
Wallet supports many loyalty programs. Some let you tap your phone to use your loyalty card and pay at the same time ("One Tap"). Others require you to tap for loyalty first, then tap again to pay ("Two Tap").
Supported Public Transport Systems
In many places, you can use Apple Pay with Express Mode to pay for public transport without unlocking your device. Some transit cards can even be added directly within the Apple Wallet app.
Here are some examples of places where Express Transit/Travel mode is available:
- Australia: Transport for NSW (all stations and buses).
- Canada: PRESTO (most transit), OC Transpo.
- China: Beijing Transit cards, Shanghai public transportation cards, and many China T-Union cards.
- Finland: Föli transit operators.
- France: Navigo (for daily or single tickets).
- Hong Kong: Octopus card.
- Japan: Suica, PASMO, ICOCA.
- Singapore: All Land Transport Authority public transit operators.
- United Kingdom: Transport for London (all stations and buses), and many bus operators like Arriva, Brighton & Hove, First Bus Group, Metrobus, Oxford Bus Company.
- United States: Ventra, TAP, OMNY (NYC), SEPTA, San Diego MTS/NCTD, MBTA, Hop Fastpass, Clipper, SmarTrip/U-Pass, and transportation in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
You can still use Apple Pay with other contactless readers, but you might need to verify your payment first.
Partially Supported Transport
In the United States, some transit systems like Breeze allow pre-authenticated payment cards linked to a Breeze Mobile 2 account. These transactions use funds from the app balance, not directly from the payment card.
Upcoming Transport Support
Future support is planned for:
- Canada: OPUS card.
- South Korea: T-Money.
- United States: ORCA card.
Supported Government IDs
Some places let you save your government-issued ID cards in Apple Wallet. In the U.S., these mobile IDs can only be shown using NFC. When your ID is read, you confirm what information you want to share (like your name or age). The information is then sent securely. You can also use these digital IDs with apps. This feature works on iPhone 8 or later, and Apple Watch Series 4 or later.
For Japanese IDs, you need the Mynaportal app to add them to Wallet. This is available for iPhone XR/XS/SE (2nd generation) or later with iOS 18.5 or later.
Here are the areas that support government IDs in Wallet:
- Japan: Countrywide (expected June 24, 2025).
- United States: Arizona (March 23, 2022), California (September 19, 2024), Colorado (November 9, 2022), Georgia (May 18, 2023), Hawaii (August 28, 2024), Iowa (October 23, 2024), Maryland (May 26, 2022), New Mexico (December 5, 2024), Ohio (August 1, 2024), Puerto Rico (December 12, 2024).
Partially Supported Government IDs
Some countries offer digital IDs in a simpler format with a barcode, but they don't use the same advanced standards as Apple Wallet's full ID support. These include:
- Greece: Countrywide (July 2022).
- Iceland: Countrywide (July 2020).
- UAE: Countrywide (2024), available through the UAE ICP App.
Upcoming Government ID Support
Future support for driver's licenses/state IDs is expected in several U.S. states, including Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois (2025), Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. A digital U.S. passport is also expected countrywide in 2025.
Supported Digital Keys
You can unlock certain home locks, car models, and hotel rooms using NFC with your iPhone XR, iPhone XS or later, and Apple Watch Series 5 or later. Some cars also support "passive entry" using UWB technology, which requires an iPhone 11 or later or Apple Watch Series 6 or later for enhanced features.
See also
In Spanish: Apple Wallet para niños
