The basic steps to add a ticket
To add a ticket to Apple Wallet, you need an email or text message from the event organizer or ticket seller that contains a pass file — usually a link you tap or an attachment. When you tap that link or open the attachment on your iPhone or iPad, a screen appears asking "Add to Wallet?" Tap that button, review the ticket details, and it saves to your Wallet app automatically. The ticket then appears in your Wallet alongside your credit cards and boarding passes.
Not every ticket seller sends passes in a format Apple Wallet accepts. Some send PDF files, screenshots, or links to their own app instead. If you receive a PDF or screenshot, you cannot add it directly to Wallet — you would need to show it from your email, Photos app, or the seller's app when you arrive at the event.
The ticket stays in Wallet even without an internet connection, so you can show it at the gate even if your phone has no signal. Apple Wallet syncs across your devices, so a ticket added on your iPhone appears on your iPad and Apple Watch too.
Key Takeaways
- Tickets arrive as pass files in emails or texts from the event organizer or ticket seller, and you add them by tapping the link or attachment and confirming "Add to Wallet."
- PDFs, screenshots, and links to third-party apps cannot be added to Wallet directly, so you will need to show them from their original location.
- Tickets in Wallet work without internet or cellular signal, so you can display them at the gate even if your phone loses connection.
- A ticket added on one Apple device syncs to your other devices, so it appears on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch automatically.
Where tickets come from and what format matters
Ticket sellers and event organizers decide how they send tickets to you. Major sellers like Ticketmaster, StubHub, and Eventbrite can send passes directly to Apple Wallet. Smaller venues, local theaters, and some sports teams may send only a PDF or a link to their website instead.
When a seller supports Wallet, the email or text includes a button or link labeled "Add to Apple Wallet," "Add to Wallet," or sometimes just a pass file attachment. Tapping it opens Wallet when ready. If the email contains only a PDF file or a screenshot image, that seller does not support Wallet passes — you would save the PDF or take a screenshot and show it from your phone's Files or Photos app at the event.
Some ticket sellers have their own apps and send a notification saying "Your ticket is ready" — in that case, the ticket lives only in their app, not in Wallet. You would open their app to show your ticket at the gate.
How to add a pass when you receive it by email
Open the email from your ticket seller. Look for a button or link that says "Add to Apple Wallet," "Add to Wallet," or shows a Wallet icon. Tap it. Your iPhone or iPad opens Wallet and displays the ticket details — the event name, date, time, location, and your ticket number or barcode.
Review the information to make sure it matches your purchase. Then tap "Add" in the top right corner (or the button at the bottom of the screen, depending on your iOS version). The ticket saves to Wallet when ready. You can now close the email and find the ticket in your Wallet app whenever you need it.
If the email does not have an "Add to Wallet" button and contains only a PDF or image file, tap and hold the attachment, select "Save to Files," and choose a folder. You can then open it from the Files app or take a screenshot to show at the event.
How to add a pass when you receive it by text message
Text messages from ticket sellers sometimes include a link to a pass file. Tap the link in the message. Your phone opens Wallet and shows the ticket details. Tap "Add" to save it to your Wallet app.
If the text contains only a link to a website or app, tapping it opens that website or app instead of Wallet. In that case, you would need to show your ticket from the website or app at the event — it cannot be added to Wallet.
Finding and showing your ticket in Wallet
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll through your passes until you find the ticket. The ticket displays the event name, date, time, location, and a barcode or QR code. At the event, hold your phone up to the scanner at the gate. The scanner reads the barcode or QR code and lets you in.
If you have multiple tickets for the same event, they all appear in Wallet. You can tap between them to show the correct one to the gate staff. Some events let you add tickets for other people to your Wallet too — check the email from the seller to see if that option is available.
On an Apple Watch, open the Wallet app and scroll to your ticket. Raise your wrist to show the barcode to the scanner. The process is the same as on your iPhone.
What to do if the ticket will not add to Wallet
If tapping the "Add to Wallet" link does nothing, or if you see an error message, try these steps: First, make sure you are using an iPhone or iPad running a recent version of iOS or iPadOS. Older devices may not support Wallet passes. Second, check that the email or link came from the actual ticket seller — scams sometimes send fake pass files that do not work.
If the ticket still will not add, the seller may not support Apple Wallet for that event. In that case, save the PDF or screenshot to your phone and show it from your email, Files app, or Photos app at the gate. Most venues accept either a Wallet pass or a PDF screenshot.
Contact the ticket seller's customer service if the pass file is corrupted or if you need help. They can resend the ticket or provide an alternative way to show it at the event.
Updating and managing tickets in Wallet
If the event organizer sends an updated ticket — for example, a new barcode or a change to the seating — the update usually arrives as a new email or notification. Tap the new pass file to replace the old ticket in your Wallet. The old version is removed automatically.
To remove a ticket from Wallet, open the Wallet app, find the ticket, tap the three dots or information icon, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Remove Pass." The ticket disappears from Wallet but remains in your email if you need to reference it later.
If you transfer a ticket to another person, ask the seller how to do it — some sellers let you forward the pass file via email, while others require you to use their app or website to transfer ownership. The new owner can then add it to their own Wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a PDF ticket to Apple Wallet?
No, Wallet only accepts pass files sent by the event organizer or ticket seller. If you have a PDF, save it to your Files app or take a screenshot and save it to Photos. You can show either one at the gate, but they will not appear in your Wallet app itself.
What if I lose my phone before the event?
If your ticket is in Apple Wallet, you can sign into iCloud on another Apple device and your tickets sync to that device. If you do not have another Apple device, contact the ticket seller and ask them to resend the pass file or provide a replacement ticket. Keep the original email with the pass file in case you need it.
Do I need internet to show my ticket at the event?
No. Tickets in Apple Wallet work without internet or cellular signal. The barcode or QR code is stored on your phone, so the gate scanner can read it even if your phone is in airplane mode or has no service.
Can I add someone else's ticket to my Wallet?
Only if the ticket seller allows it. Some sellers let you forward the pass file to another person's email, and they can add it to their own Wallet. Others require the ticket owner to transfer it through their app or website. Check the seller's instructions or contact their customer service to find out how to transfer a ticket.
Why does my ticket say "Not Nearby" in Wallet?
Some passes show location information and display "Not Nearby" until you are close to the event venue. This is normal and does not affect your ability to use the ticket. The ticket will work at the gate regardless of what the app displays.