Traveling is stressful enough without having to rummage through your carry-on bag or frantically search your email inbox for a digital barcode while standing in the TSA security line. Apple Wallet transforms your iPhone into a centralized digital filing cabinet for all your travel documents, allowing you to access boarding passes instantly from your lock screen.
Storing your boarding pass in Apple Wallet not only saves time but also provides real-time updates. If your flight is delayed or your gate changes, the pass inside the Wallet app will automatically update to reflect the new information.
How to Add a Boarding Pass to Apple Wallet
You cannot manually type your flight details into the Wallet app to create a pass. The pass must be generated by the airline and then “sent” to your Wallet. There are three primary ways to do this:
Method 1: Using the Airline’s Official App
This is the most reliable method.
- Download the official app for your airline (e.g., Delta, United, British Airways) and log in.
- Navigate to your upcoming trips and complete the digital check-in process (usually available 24 hours before your flight).
- Once you are checked in, the app will display your digital boarding pass.
- Look for a prominent black button that says Add to Apple Wallet (featuring the Wallet icon). Tap it.
- A preview of the pass will appear on your screen. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
Method 2: From an Email Confirmation
If you checked in using a desktop computer and the airline emailed you your boarding pass:
- Open the email on your iPhone using the default Apple Mail app.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the email. If the airline supports Wallet integration, there will be an attached file ending in
.pkpass, or a large “Add to Apple Wallet” button within the body of the email. - Tap the button or attachment, then tap Add.
Method 3: Scanning a Physical Pass
If you printed a physical boarding pass at a kiosk, you can often digitize it.
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
- Scroll to the bottom of your passes and tap Edit Passes (or look for a plus icon).
- Tap Scan Code.
- Point your iPhone’s camera at the square QR code or barcode on your printed ticket. If the airline supports it, Wallet will instantly generate a digital copy.
How to Use the Boarding Pass at the Airport
Apple makes accessing your pass incredibly easy when you are actually at the airport.
- From the Lock Screen: Apple uses location services to determine when you have arrived at the airport. On the day of your flight, a persistent notification will appear on your lock screen. Simply tap the notification, authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID, and your boarding pass will appear at maximum brightness, ready to scan.
- Manual Access: If the notification does not appear, double-click the side button on your iPhone (the same action you use to trigger Apple Pay). Your default credit card will appear, but you will see your boarding pass stacked at the bottom of the screen. Tap the pass to bring it to the front.
- Apple Watch: If you own an Apple Watch paired with your iPhone, the boarding pass will automatically sync to it. You can open the Wallet app on your Watch (or double-click the side button) and hold your wrist directly over the scanner at the gate.
Removing Expired Passes
Unlike credit cards, boarding passes do not automatically delete themselves after your flight lands. Over time, your Wallet can become cluttered with old tickets.
- Open the Wallet app.
- Tap the expired boarding pass you want to remove.
- Tap the three dots (…) in the top right corner (or the info ‘i’ icon).
- Select Pass Details.
- Tap Remove Pass in red at the bottom of the screen.
Note: In iOS 15 and later, Apple added a feature that automatically hides expired passes in a separate folder at the bottom of the app, keeping your main view clean without forcing you to delete old travel memories.