Been struggling to keep track of credit cards, loyalty passes, and boarding passes in a physical wallet? Apple Wallet stores all of them on your iPhone. You pay, scan into venues, and board flights without pulling out a single card.
Related: Did you know you can share or transfer tickets in Apple Wallet with someone else?
What Apple Wallet Can Hold
Wallet stores more than payment cards:
- Payment cards: credit and debit cards for contactless in-store payments, in-app purchases, and web checkout via Apple Pay
- Transit cards: tap in and out on supported city subway and bus networks
- IDs: driver’s licenses and state IDs in select US states
- Keys: home, hotel, and car keys for compatible locks and vehicles
- Passes: boarding passes, event tickets, loyalty cards, gift cards, and coupons
Before You Start
Get these in place first, or you’ll hit a wall midway through:
- iOS is current: check via Settings > General > Software Update
- You’re signed in with your Apple Account
- Two-factor authentication is on: Wallet requires it; you can’t add a card without it
- A passcode and Face ID or Touch ID are set up on the device
- Your bank supports Apple Pay: check Apple’s supported countries and banks if you’re not sure
To turn on two-factor authentication: Settings > [Your Name] > Sign-In & Security > Two-Factor Authentication.
How to Add a Payment Card
From the Wallet App
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
- Tap the + button in the top-right corner.
- Select Debit or Credit Card and tap Continue.
- Hold your card over the camera frame to scan it. On newer iPhones, you can also tap the physical card against the back of the device for NFC chip capture. If scanning fails, tap Enter Card Details Manually and type in the card number, expiry date, cardholder name, and CVV.
- Accept your card issuer’s terms and conditions.
- Choose a verification method. Your bank usually offers a text message code, a phone call, or confirmation through its own app. Follow the prompts until the card shows as active.
- Your card is now active in Wallet and ready for Apple Pay.
From Settings
Open Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Add Card, choose Debit or Credit Card, and follow the same steps. A useful alternative if you want to review your existing cards at the same time.
From Your Bank’s App
Many banks include an “Add to Apple Wallet” button inside their app. Tap it, get briefly dropped into Wallet to complete verification, and the card is added. Usually the fastest path.
Set a Default Card
Touch and hold a card in Wallet and drag it to the front of the stack. Or go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Default Card and choose from the list.
On Apple Watch and Mac
To add Apple Pay to your Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone and go to My Watch > Wallet & Apple Pay > Add Card.
On a Mac with Touch ID, any cards you’ve already added on iPhone show up in System Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and work for web purchases in Safari without any extra setup.
How to Add Passes, Transit Cards, IDs, and Keys
Boarding Passes and Event Tickets
Download the airline’s app, check in for your flight, and tap “Add to Apple Wallet” when the option appears. The same button turns up in most ticketing and retail loyalty apps. Wallet keeps all the legs of a multi-stop trip together, so you don’t end up hunting for the right boarding pass at the gate.
Some passes can also be added by scanning a code. Tap + in Wallet, look for the option to scan a code, then point your camera at the QR code or barcode on the physical pass or your confirmation email.
Transit Cards
- Open Wallet and tap +.
- Select Transit Card.
- Choose your transit system from the list.
- Create a new card or, where the option exists, transfer an existing card’s balance.
- Add a payment method to top up funds.
Transit support varies by city. Check whether your network is listed before expecting this to work. Not every system is on board yet.
Driver’s License or State ID
Open Wallet, tap +, and look for an option to add an ID Card. Availability depends on your state or country. If yours is supported, select it, scan the front and back of your physical ID, then complete a short liveness check, a selfie verification that confirms it’s you. Approval takes some time after submission.
Even where digital IDs are officially supported, not every venue or agency accepts them. Carry your physical ID until you know what works locally. Apple’s student ID support page covers how university student IDs work if that’s what you’re adding.
Home, Hotel, and Car Keys
For smart-lock home keys and hotel keys, open the compatible app and tap “Add to Apple Wallet.” Car keys are set up through the vehicle manufacturer’s app. Once paired, the key appears in Wallet and updates automatically. Whether your specific car model is supported varies; check with the manufacturer.
Removing Cards and Passes
Open Wallet, tap the card or pass you want to remove, then tap the … button in the top-right corner.
Tap Remove Pass or Remove Card.
Cards can also be removed from Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay: tap the card, scroll to the bottom, and remove it there.
Is Apple Wallet Secure?
Apple Pay doesn’t send your real card number to merchants. It uses a device-specific token instead, so your actual card details never leave your phone during a transaction. Every payment requires Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to authorize.
If your iPhone is lost or stolen, use Find My on another device to mark it as lost or erase it. Your bank can also disable the Apple Pay token from their end without you needing the device to do anything.
Troubleshooting
Can’t add a card? Work through this list in order:
- Confirm two-factor authentication is on for your Apple Account.
- Check that your bank and region support Apple Pay.
- Update iOS via Settings > General > Software Update.
- Check Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay for any error messages or alerts.
- Restart your iPhone and try again.
- If nothing changes, call your bank; they may have a restriction on their end or need to approve Apple Pay for your account specifically.
The “+” button isn’t showing up? Screen Time restrictions or a corporate device management profile can block Wallet. Check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps. On a work or school device, ask IT to allow it.
Card shows active in Wallet but payments are being declined? The card may be expired or recently reissued, so you may need to re-add it with the updated details. If the card looks fine in Wallet but transactions keep failing, call your bank. They can check whether the Apple Pay token is flagged or blocked on their end.
Once your cards and passes are in Wallet, you’re no longer hunting through a physical wallet at checkout or hoping the right loyalty card is nearby. The one exception is your physical ID. Not every venue accepts it in digital form yet, so carry both until your state and local venues catch up.