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 (or Wallet for short) |
| Type | Digital wallet app |
Apple Wallet (also called Wallet) is a special app made by Apple Inc.. It comes on your iOS (iPhone) and watchOS (Apple Watch) devices. Think of it as a digital wallet where you can keep many different things.
You can store things like coupons, boarding passes for flights, student ID cards, and event tickets. Since 2014, you can also add your credit cards and debit cards to use with Apple Pay. This makes paying for things super easy and secure!
Contents
Wallet's Journey
Apple first announced this app as "Passbook" in 2012. It came out with iOS 6 that same year. Later, in 2015, when iOS 9 was released, its name changed to "Apple Wallet." This new name better described all the cool things the app could do.
What Wallet Can Do
Wallet can show different kinds of barcodes, like Aztec, PDF417, and QR codes. These are like digital tickets or coupons, and each one is called a "pass."
When you open Wallet for the first time, it helps you find other apps that work with it. You can also get passes from websites, emails, or by scanning a code with the app.
Your passes stay updated across your Apple devices using iCloud. So, if you add a pass on your iPhone, it will also show up on your Apple Watch. Wallet works on iPhones and iPod Touches, but not on iPads.
Since 2022, Wallet can even help you track packages you've bought using Apple Pay. It shows you where your order is and when it might arrive.
Here are some cool things Wallet can do:
- It shows 2D barcodes like Aztec, PDF417, and QR codes.
- It shows 1D barcodes like Code 128 (since iOS 9).
- Passes can pop up when you are near a certain place. For example, your movie ticket might appear when you get to the cinema.
- Passes can also show up at a specific time, like your train ticket right before your journey.
- 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 show mobile IDs.
- You can also set up regular payments with Apple Cash in iOS 17.
Express Mode and Power Reserve
"Express Mode" is a super handy feature. It lets you use certain cards without needing to unlock your device or use Touch ID or Face ID. This is great for public transport! You just hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the card reader, and it pays.
This mode works for payment cards, transit cards (like Octopus or Suica), home keys, access badges, and car keys. You can usually only have one of each type of pass in Express Mode. But if you have an Apple Watch, you can set up different Express Mode passes on each device.
Even cooler, on newer iPhones (like iPhone XR, XS, or SE 2nd gen and later), Express Mode cards can still work for up to five hours after your phone's battery dies! A special low-battery screen will show that your Express Cards are still ready to use. This "power reserve" currently works for transit payments only and is not on Apple Watch.
Wallet's World
Wallet is part of a bigger system. Companies create "passes" (like digital tickets or loyalty cards) and send them to your Wallet. These passes can be updated anytime.
When you use a pass, it often involves scanning a 2D barcode or a QR code.
In 2014, stores started using iBeacon technology. This allowed them to send special messages to your iPhone's lock screen when you were nearby.
In 2015, Apple added the ability to use loyalty cards with NFC. This means you can just tap your phone to a payment machine to use your loyalty points. For example, Walgreens was one of the first to use this.
In 2016, Apple Pay came to Japan, letting people add IC e-cards like Suica to Wallet. These digital cards work just like the physical ones. You can use your iPhone to pay for train rides or shopping. You can even add money to your digital Suica card right from your iPhone using a debit or credit card. Later, Japan's PASMO card also joined Apple Wallet.
In 2018, students could add their campus ID cards to Wallet at some universities. These digital IDs work like physical RFID cards. You can tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to readers to get into buildings or pay for things on campus.
In 2020, you could add car keys to Apple Wallet. This started with some BMW cars. You can even share these digital keys with friends or family. You can set limits, like how fast they can drive or what car features they can use.
In 2021, Apple announced you could store government ID cards, resort passes, and home keys in Wallet. As of early 2023, a few U.S. States, like Maryland and Arizona, let you store your driver's license in Wallet.
In 2022, Apple added a new feature to track your Apple Pay orders directly in Wallet.
Money in Wallet
Apple Account
Apple Account is like a digital gift card that lives in your Wallet. You can add money from iTunes or Apple gift cards. Then you can use this balance to buy things at physical Apple Stores or online from Apple. This feature is currently available in the United States and Japan.
Apple Card
Apple Card is a special credit card from Apple. It's managed right inside your Wallet app. When you use it, you can get "Daily Cash" back on your purchases. You can use the digital card with Apple Pay wherever Mastercard is accepted. There's also a physical card, but it doesn't have NFC. This card is currently only available in the United States.
Savings Account
Apple Card holders can also open a savings account. This account offers a good interest rate on your money. You don't need a savings account to use the Apple Card.
Apple Cash
Apple Cash lets you send and receive money with friends and family. You can do this through the Wallet or Messages apps on your Apple devices. You can also tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to another person's device to send money. You can use your Apple Cash balance with Apple Pay wherever Visa cards are accepted. This service is only available in the United States.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay is a payment service within Wallet. It lets you pay using your credit or debit cards from many banks. It's available in many countries around the world.
Apple Pay Later
Apple Pay Later is a service that lets you buy something now and pay for it later in installments. This service is run entirely by Apple itself. You can use it with Apple Pay wherever Mastercard is accepted. It's currently only available in the United States.
FinanceKit
FinanceKit is a tool for app developers. It 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 Works
The Apple Wallet app comes preinstalled on most iPhones and Apple Watches worldwide. Developers from many countries can create passes for Wallet. However, some features within Wallet, like Apple Pay, are available in fewer countries.
Region Locked Features
Some Wallet features are only available if your device's region setting matches a specific country.
| Feature | Country |
|---|---|
| E-Money (WAON, nanaco) | Japan |
| Apple Card Family | United States |
| Apple Cash Family | |
| USA State IDs |
Loyalty Programs
Wallet supports many loyalty programs. You can often just tap your phone to a payment terminal to use your rewards.
| Country | Retailer | One Tap/Two Tap |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Dan Murphy's My Dan's | |
| Woolworths' Everyday Rewards | Two Tap | |
| France | Carrefour's Carrefour Card | One Tap & Two Tap |
| Ireland | Nando's Nando Card | Two Tap |
| Japan | d Point [ja] | One Tap & Two Tap |
| Ponta [ja] | One Tap & Two Tap | |
| United Kingdom | Nando's Nando Card | Two Tap |
| Texaco's Star Rewards | Two Tap | |
| United States | CAVA's CAVA Rewards | One Tap |
| Coca-Cola's Vending Pass | One Tap | |
| Dave & Buster's Power Card | Two Tap | |
| Jimmy John's Freaky Fast Rewards | One Tap | |
| Maverik's Adventure Club | One Tap | |
| Panera Bread's MyPanera | One Tap | |
| Quiznos' Toasty Points | One Tap | |
| Redbox's Redbox Perks | Two Tap | |
| Salsarita's Salsarita Rewards | One Tap | |
| Yogurtland's Real Rewards | One Tap |
Public Transport Systems
Wallet works with many public transport systems. With Express Mode, you can pay for your ride without unlocking your phone. Some places even let you add transit cards directly in the Wallet app.
| Country/Region | Scenario | Direct provisioning | Fare Payment Method(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | All stations and buses of Transport for NSW | Payment cards | |
| Belarus | All stations of Minsk Metro | Payment cards | |
| Mainland China | All forms of transit and stores that accept Beijing Transit cards | Beijing Transit Card | |
| All forms of transit that accept Shanghai Transit cards and selected forms of transit that accept China City Union [zh] cards | Shanghai Transit Card | ||
| All forms of transit that accept China T-Union cards |  |
Beijing T-Union Transit Card, Changsha Transit Card, Changzhou Transit Card, Chaozhou Transit Card, Dalian Transit Card, Foshan Transit Card, Guangzhou Transit Card, Heyuan Transit Card, Jiangmen Transit Card, Jieyang Transit Card, Jinan Transit Card, Jinhua Transit Card, Lhasa Transit Card, Maoming Transit Card, Nanchang Transit Card, Nanjing Transit Card, Ningbo Transit Card, Shanwei Transit Card, Shanghai T-Union Transit Card, Shaoguan Transit Card, Shenzhen Transit Card, Shijiazhuang Transit Card, Suzhou Transit Card, Taizhou Transit Card, Tianjin Transit Card, Xiamen Transit Card, Xi'an Transit Card, Xuzhou Transit Card, Yunfu Transit Card | |
| All stations of Beijing Subway and Beijing Suburban Railway | Yitongxing Miaotong Card | ||
| Finland | All Föli transit operators | Payment cards | |
| France | Occasional travelers that want daily or single ticket with Navigo | |
Navigo |
| Hong Kong | All forms of transit and stores that accept Octopus | |
Octopus |
| Japan | All forms of transit and stores that accept Suica | |
Suica |
| All forms of transit and stores that accept PASMO | |
PASMO | |
| All forms of transit and stores that accept ICOCA | |
ICOCA | |
| Sweden | All Skånetrafiken city buses | Payment cards | |
| Serbia | Belgrade city public transport | Payment cards | |
| United Kingdom | All Arriva UK Bus transit operators | Payment cards | |
| All Brighton & Hove transit operators | Payment cards | ||
| All First Bus Group transit operators | Payment cards | ||
| All Metrobus transit operators | Payment cards | ||
| All Oxford Bus Company transit operators | Payment cards | ||
| All stations and buses of Transport for London | Payment cards | ||
| United States | All forms of transit that accept Ventra | Ventra | |
| All forms of transit that accept TAP | |
TAP | |
| All stations of Metropolitan Transportation Authority | Payment cards | ||
| All forms of transit that accept Hop Fastpass | Hop Fastpass, payment cards | ||
| All forms of transit that accept Clipper | |
Clipper | |
| All forms of transit that accept SmarTrip | |
SmarTrip |
Partially Supported Transit
| Country | Scenario | Fare Payment Method(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Some transit that accepts Breeze | Payment cards linked to Breeze Mobile 2 account | You can use payment cards linked to a Breeze Mobile 2 account. These don't charge your card directly but use funds from your Breeze app balance. |
Upcoming Transit Support
| Country | Scenario | Fare Payment Method(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Transit that accepts PRESTO | PRESTO |
| South Korea | Transit and stores that accept T-Money | T-Money |
Government IDs
Some places let you save your official government ID in Apple Wallet. These digital IDs work using NFC, so you tap your phone to a reader. You can choose what information to share. This feature is available on iPhone 8 or later and Apple Watch Series 4 or later.
| Country/Region | State/Territory |
|---|---|
| United States |  Arizona |
 Colorado |
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 Georgia |
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 Maryland |
Upcoming Government IDs
Apple has announced that Japanese My Number cards will be supported in Apple Wallet in spring 2025.
Digital Keys
You can use your iPhone (XR, XS or later) or Apple Watch (Series 5 or later) to unlock certain home locks, car models, and hotel rooms using NFC. Some car models also work with UWB (Ultra-wideband) for even better features.
Campus IDs
Many universities and colleges let students add their campus ID cards to Apple Wallet. This makes it easy to access buildings, pay for food, and more.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Apple Wallet para niños
