What Apple Wallet does with tickets
Apple Wallet is the app on your iPhone or Apple Watch that stores digital passes — boarding passes, event tickets, movie tickets, concert tickets, and similar documents. When you add a ticket to Wallet, you can show it to a scanner at the venue or gate by holding your phone or watch near the scanner, without needing to find an email or screenshot.
The ticket lives on your device and works even if you do not have cell service at that moment. You can add multiple tickets to Wallet, and they stay organized by type and date. The app is built into every iPhone and Apple Watch, so there is nothing extra to read.
Key Takeaways
- Most tickets arrive in an email with a link or a button that says "Add to Apple Wallet" — tapping it moves the ticket directly into the app.
- If your ticket email does not have an "Add to Apple Wallet" button, you can take a screenshot and save it, but a proper digital pass works better because it updates automatically if the event changes.
- Tickets in Wallet appear on your lock screen a few hours before the event starts, so you do not have to hunt for them.
- You can add the same ticket to multiple devices — your iPhone and Apple Watch both hold a copy, and they stay in sync.
Adding a ticket when the email has an "Add to Apple Wallet" button
Open the email on your iPhone that contains your ticket. Look for a button or link that says "Add to Apple Wallet", "Add to Wallet", or sometimes just shows an Apple Wallet logo. Tap it once.
Your phone will show a preview of the ticket with details like the event name, date, time, and barcode. Review the information to make sure it is correct. Then tap "Add" in the top right corner. The ticket moves into Apple Wallet when ready, and you can close the email.
The next time you open Apple Wallet, the ticket appears in the list. You do not need to do anything else — it is ready to use at the event.
Adding a ticket when there is no "Add to Apple Wallet" button
Not every ticket vendor has set up the digital pass system yet. If your email does not show an "Add to Apple Wallet" button, you have two options: take a screenshot, or contact the ticket vendor to ask if they can send a version that works with Wallet.
To take a screenshot, open the email on your iPhone and take a screenshot of the ticket or barcode. The screenshot saves to your Photos app. You can then show this image to a scanner at the event, though it works less reliably than a proper digital pass because it does not update if the event time or location changes.
If the ticket vendor is a major one — Ticketmaster, StubHub, Eventbrite, or your airline — they may have their own app that lets you add tickets to Wallet from within the app instead of through email. Check your device's App Store to see if the vendor has an app, and look for an "Add to Wallet" option inside it.
Using your ticket at the event
A few hours before the event starts, your ticket appears on your iPhone lock screen as a notification. You can tap it to open the ticket, or just swipe up from the bottom of the lock screen to access Wallet directly.
When you reach the scanner at the gate or entrance, hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the scanner. The barcode on your ticket will scan automatically — you do not need to unlock your phone or do anything else. The scanner will beep or show a checkmark when it reads the ticket successfully.
If the scanner does not work the first time, try holding your device a few inches away and moving it slightly. Some scanners are slower than others. If you still have trouble, you can show the ticket to a staff member and they can scan it manually or look up your name in their system.
Adding the same ticket to your Apple Watch
If you have an Apple Watch paired to your iPhone, you can add the same ticket to your watch so you do not have to carry your phone. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap the Wallet & Passes section, and look for the ticket you just added. Toggle it on to send it to your watch.
The ticket then appears in Wallet on your watch, and you can show it to a scanner the same way — by holding your wrist near the scanner. This is useful if you are at an event and want to keep your hands free or your phone in your pocket.
What to do if a ticket does not add to Wallet
If you tap "Add to Apple Wallet" and nothing happens, try these steps in order. First, make sure you are using an iPhone — Apple Wallet works on iPhone and Apple Watch, but not on Android devices. Second, close the email app completely and open it again, then try tapping the button once more.
If it still does not work, the ticket vendor may not support Apple Wallet yet. In that case, take a screenshot of the ticket or barcode and save it to your Photos app. You can open the screenshot at the event and show it to a scanner. Some vendors also let you read a PDF of the ticket, which you can then open and screenshot if needed.
If you are using an older iPhone model — iPhone 6s or earlier — Apple Wallet may not support that particular ticket format. Contact the ticket vendor's support team and ask what options are available for your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a ticket to Wallet if I bought it from a reseller like StubHub or Tickpick?
Yes, but it depends on how the reseller sends the ticket to you. If they email you a digital pass with an "Add to Apple Wallet" button, you can add it the same way. If they only send a screenshot or PDF, you will need to take a screenshot of that and use it at the event. Some resellers do not support digital passes, so check their website or contact them before you buy if Wallet support matters to you.
What happens to my ticket if I delete it from Wallet by accident?
If you delete a ticket from Wallet, it is gone from your phone, but the ticket vendor still has a record that you own it. Go back to your email, find the original ticket email, and tap "Add to Apple Wallet" again. The ticket reappears in Wallet. You can also contact the vendor and ask them to resend the ticket link.
Can I share a ticket with someone else by adding it to their Wallet?
No — a digital pass is tied to the device it was added to, and you cannot transfer it to another person's phone through Wallet. If you need to give your ticket to someone else, contact the ticket vendor and ask if they can transfer ownership or resend the ticket to the other person's email address. Some vendors allow transfers, and some do not.
Will my ticket work if I do not have internet at the event?
Yes. Once a ticket is added to Wallet, it stays on your device and works without cell service or Wi-Fi. The barcode is stored locally on your phone, so the scanner can read it even if you are in an area with no signal.
What if the event gets cancelled or rescheduled?
A digital pass in Wallet updates automatically if the vendor changes the event details — the time, date, or location will change on your ticket without you doing anything. A screenshot does not update, so if you only have a screenshot saved, you will need to check your email for updates. This is one reason a proper digital pass is better than a screenshot when the option is available.