What’s new for wallet passes in iOS 18

Published on 21st October 2024

Apple’s finally getting it right with wallet passes in iOS 18. They’ve been busy making these digital tickets much more sophisticated by focusing on making the whole day better for anyone going to a match, a gig, or a conference.

Moving past the paper mindset

Apple has enabled dynamic content to be shared on these passes which means they’re no longer just a digital copy of a paper ticket. As users, we want to see information that actually matters in the moment, rather than just a static barcode. If you’re organising a sports event, you can use these new features to give people a much better experience:

You can provide a map of the venue so that spectators know exactly where they’re sitting before they even reach the gate.
You can let them know which car parks are best to use so they aren’t driving around in circles.
It’s possible to share a local weather report so they know to bring a coat if the clouds are looking heavy.
You can even let people share their location so they can actually find their friends once they get inside the grounds.

How Ticketmaster is using wallet passes

You might have heard about what Ticketmaster are rolling out for their events. They’re moving to a format that looks much better and uses NFC, which means you just tap your phone to get in:

New ticket format with emphasis on branding for a unique event experience.
NFC entry capability, no need to print out a ticket or even find a barcode.
Integration with other apps for surfacing relevant info such as the weather, maps and live updates such as the latest score if it’s a sports event.

Event tickets as live activities

One of the most practical changes is that these tickets now show up as live activities on the lock screen. This means people can see their seat numbers or gate info without even having to open the Wallet app. It’s a simple bit of design that removes that moment of friction when you’re trying to find your way while carrying a coffee and a bag.

What else can you do with iOS 18 Apple Wallet?

Tap to cash (Only in the US for now): This feature allows users to send and receive money directly between iPhones by simply tapping two devices together. It's similar to Apple's existing AirDrop technology but specifically designed for transferring money. Users can quickly transfer cash to friends and family without needing to open a separate app or enter complicated payment details.

Tap to add new cards to wallet app: Users can easily add new credit, debit, or payment cards to their Apple Wallet by tapping their iPhone near a physical card. This in turn is helping to make the process of digitising physical cards simpler and easier.

Pay with rewards: iOS 18 introduces a more integrated way to use loyalty and rewards points directly within the Apple Wallet. Users can now redeem reward points from various programmes as payment methods or for discounts.

3rd party browser support: Payment and wallet-related technologies can now be accessed in third-party web browsers. This likely means that Apple Pay and wallet functionalities will be more universally accessible across different browser platforms, not just within Safari.

How can I use Apple Wallet for my event?

There are many possibilities for the Apple Pass, and it’s not just restricted to massive events with big budgets.

Anywhere that requires tickets or ID cards can in fact be replaced with a digital wallet pass.

Maybe you hold an annual event in your offices for customers and suppliers.

Consider this scenario:

Send out an email invitation to your customers which enables them to download a pass for the event onto their mobile.
Share a map of the car park which shows their designated space. Entering the car park requires a smile tap of their phone on the barrier reader.
They arrive at your office building and are able to enter the main entrance by simply scanning their phone.
They get directed to the main meeting room where the presentation is taking place.
Depending on their purchase levels, you reward every customer present with a number of points which they can redeem in another room for a free gift. It could be a bottle of wine, a tshirt or a water bottle.

Wallet passes let you provide a personalised and seamless experience to your people, you’re helping to make their day easier and less stressful by making the right information available to them when they need it.

How to get started

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