The future of mobile wallet passes

Mobile wallet passes are starting to change how we all move through the world and interact with the businesses around us. They allow us to enter buildings, use our memberships, and attend events without the usual friction that slows us down. While a pass might look like a simple digital replacement for a paper ticket or a plastic card, the impact on our daily flow is actually quite significant. We’ve been looking at why this shift matters for the person just trying to get through their day.

What are wallet passes?

In the simplest terms, digital passes are folders for the things you’d usually keep in your physical wallet, like tickets, coupons, or membership cards. They live directly in the wallet app on your phone, with the main providers being Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung. They work across both phones and smart watches, so the tech is always within reach.

We can use them to access services like airline boarding, gigs, gyms, and loyalty schemes without needing to carry a physical backup. Once you’ve downloaded one, these passes use NFC technology or display barcodes to get you through the door. They can even send you a notification based on where you are or what time it is.

What’s great about wallet passes?

They fit into everyday life Wallet passes create a much smoother experience for everyone. You shouldn't have to shuffle through your emails at a turnstile or fumble with a paper ticket while your hands are full. Everything you need is just a single tap away. By keeping boarding passes, event tickets, and hotel room keys in one place, we remove the need for a folder full of apps or a thick stack of plastic cards.

Real-time updates One of the biggest advantages we see is that wallet passes update instantly. If a flight is delayed, a paper ticket is immediately out of date and becomes a bit of a nuisance. A digital boarding pass reflects the new time the moment it changes. If your seat gets upgraded, the pass refreshes itself. This ensures you always have the right information, which stops frustration before it even has a chance to start.

Better security Physical passes are incredibly easy to lose or steal, whereas wallet passes rely on the security infrastructure built into Apple and Google devices. Using Face ID, Touch ID, and built-in encryption makes them much harder to breach than a standard card. If you happen to lose your device, you can wipe it remotely, which protects your personal data in a way that a plastic card simply can't match.

Good for the environment If you look in your wallet right now, it’s likely to be full of loyalty cards you rarely use. By replacing paper receipts and plastic cards, wallet passes help us reduce waste and cut down on unnecessary costs. When millions of us make the switch to digital, we save a massive amount of plastic and paper from ending up in the bin.

Clearer communication Wallet passes give businesses a direct, honest way to connect with their customers. We can use them to send rewards and helpful notifications straight to a phone. A location-based reminder about a discount when you’re actually standing near the shop makes the communication feel useful rather than like another bit of digital noise.

How wallet passes will continue to evolve

Beyond the usual tickets and cards, it's clear that mobile wallet technology is going to change how we handle identity. We’re already seeing governments and organisations looking at digital IDs, driver’s licenses, and certificates stored right in the mobile wallet.

At PassFlow, we believe wallet passes are more than just a convenience, they represent a future where moving through our cities and buildings can be much simpler. By focusing on security and sustainability, they help us navigate our daily lives without the unnecessary faff.

The shift towards wallet passes is already happening, and it's sitting right there in your pocket.

How to get started

If you’d like to start issuing wallet passes for your business, we’d love to have a proper chat about your project.

Book a Demo Today

You can also reach us by email at hello@passflow.io.