Opening Apple Wallet for the first time
Apple Wallet is an app built into your iPhone or iPad that stores digital versions of cards, tickets, and passes. To open it, look for the purple icon with a white wallet symbol on your home screen and tap it. If you cannot find it, swipe left on your home screen until you reach the App Library (the grid of colored squares at the end), then search for "Wallet" and tap the result.
On a Mac, Apple Wallet works differently — you access it through the Wallet app in your Applications folder, or through Safari when you encounter a digital pass while browsing. The steps below focus on iPhone and iPad, where most people use Wallet daily.
The first time you open Wallet, it will be empty. You add cards and passes one at a time by tapping the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner, or by opening an email or website that contains a pass and selecting "Add to Wallet."
Key Takeaways
- Apple Wallet is a built-in app on iPhone and iPad that holds digital copies of credit cards, debit cards, transit passes, boarding passes, and event tickets.
- You add items to Wallet by tapping the plus sign in the app, or by opening an email or website with a pass and selecting "Add to Wallet."
- Once a card is in Wallet, you can pay at stores by holding your phone near the card reader, or use passes by opening the app and tapping the relevant card or ticket.
- Wallet is encrypted and tied to your Face ID or Touch ID, so only you can access or use the cards stored there.
Adding a credit or debit card to Wallet
Open Wallet and tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. Select "Credit or Debit Card," then choose whether you want to add a new card or use an existing one from your Apple ID account. If you are adding a new card, hold your iPhone's camera over the card and let it read the number automatically, or type the number, expiration date, and security code by hand.
Your bank may ask you to verify the card through a text message, email, or a call to their customer service number. This step confirms that you own the card. Once verified, the card appears in Wallet and is ready to use.
You can add as many cards as you want. The first card you add becomes your default card for payments — the one that will be used unless you specifically choose a different one.
Adding passes, tickets, and boarding passes
Passes for events, flights, and transit often arrive as email attachments or links. When you receive one, open the email or link and look for an "Add to Wallet" button or link. Tap it, and the pass will appear in your Wallet app automatically.
Some apps — like airline apps, ticketing services, or your local transit authority — let you add passes directly from within the app. Open the app, find the pass or ticket you want to store, and look for an "Add to Wallet" option.
Passes update automatically when the event or flight information changes. If your flight is delayed or your seat assignment changes, the pass in Wallet updates without you having to do anything.
Paying with Wallet at stores and online
To pay in a physical store, open Wallet, tap the card you want to use, then hold the top of your iPhone near the card reader. Your phone will vibrate and show a checkmark when the payment goes through. You do not need to unlock your phone or enter a PIN — Face ID or Touch ID happens automatically in the background.
Online, when you are buying something on a website or in an app, look for an Apple Pay button at checkout. Tap it, choose which card you want to use, and confirm with Face ID or Touch ID. The payment is sent to the merchant without sharing your actual card number.
Not all stores accept Apple Pay yet. Look for the contactless payment symbol (a curved wave) on the card reader, or ask the cashier whether they take Apple Pay.
Using passes and tickets in Wallet
When you need to show a pass — for a flight, concert, or bus ride — open Wallet and tap the relevant pass. The pass will display on your screen in a format the venue or transit worker can scan. Some passes show a barcode, others show a QR code, and some show both.
You can also add passes to your lock screen for faster access. Open Wallet, tap and hold a pass, then select "Add to Lock Screen." The pass will appear on your lock screen, and you can swipe to it without opening Wallet.
If a pass expires or is no longer needed, swipe left on it in Wallet and tap "Remove." The pass disappears from your Wallet but remains in your email or account with the original provider if you need to retrieve it later.
Security and privacy in Wallet
Apple Wallet is encrypted, which means the information stored there is scrambled and unreadable to anyone but you. Your card numbers are not actually stored on your phone — instead, a unique token is created for each card, and that token is what your phone sends when you pay. The merchant never sees your real card number.
Only you can access Wallet because it requires Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to open. If you lose your phone, you can remove all cards from it through iCloud.com or by calling your bank directly. Your cards are not accessible to anyone who finds your phone.
If a card is lost or stolen, you can remove it from Wallet when ready through the Wallet app or through your bank's app. Removing it from Wallet does not close the card itself — you will need to contact your bank to do that.
Troubleshooting common Wallet problems
If a card will not add to Wallet, the most common reason is that your bank does not support Apple Pay yet. Check your bank's website or call their customer service to confirm they offer Apple Pay. Some banks require you to turn on a setting in their app before the card will work with Wallet.
If Wallet is not opening, try force-closing the app by swiping up from the bottom of your screen (or swiping down from the top right on newer iPhones) and closing Wallet, then opening it again. If that does not work, restart your iPhone by holding the power button and sliding to power off, then turning it back on.
If a payment fails at a store, the card reader may not support Apple Pay, or your phone's connection may have been interrupted. Ask the cashier to try again, or use a physical card instead. If payments consistently fail with one card, contact your bank — they may have flagged the card for security reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Wallet on my Apple Watch?
Yes. Cards and passes you add to Wallet on your iPhone automatically appear on your Apple Watch. You can pay in stores by holding your watch near the card reader, and you can show passes by opening Wallet on your watch and tapping the relevant pass.
What happens if my phone dies while I am trying to pay?
If your battery is completely dead, you cannot use Wallet to pay. However, if your battery is very low but not completely dead, you may still be able to make one or two payments before the phone shuts down. This is called "Express Transit Mode" on some devices.
Can someone use my Wallet if they have my phone?
No. Wallet requires Face ID or Touch ID to open and to make payments. If someone steals your phone, they cannot access your cards without your face or fingerprint. You can also remove all cards remotely through iCloud.com.
Do I need an Apple ID to use Wallet?
You need an Apple ID to set up your iPhone, and Wallet is built into that setup. You do not need to create a separate account for Wallet — it uses your existing Apple ID.
Can I add store loyalty cards to Wallet?
Yes. Many stores and restaurants have loyalty programs that work with Wallet. Look for an "Add to Wallet" option in the store's app or website, or search the App Store for the store's name to see if they offer a Wallet pass. You can also take a screenshot of a barcode and add it manually, though this is less convenient than a native pass.