Transform Physical Cards into Digital Passes with iOS 27
Open your wallet and you might see a library card, gym membership, or grocery rewards card collecting dust. With the release of iOS 27, Apple changes the way you can store these cards digitally. The update lets you convert physical cards into digital passes on your iPhone.
New Basics of iOS 27 Apple Wallet
iOS 27 allows you to create passes in Apple Wallet from photos or screenshots, reducing the need for plastic cards. If you own an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any later model, you can turn barcodes and QR codes into digital passes using Apple Intelligence. This feature requires certain language and regional settings.
Create Digital Passes
Ensure your card’s barcode or QR code is visible. Follow these steps on your compatible iPhone:
- Take a photo or screenshot of the card.
- Tap ‘Add Pass to Wallet’ when prompted.
- If needed, tap ‘Info’ or swipe up to select this option in the Photos app.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finalize.
Manual Pass Creation
If Apple Intelligence doesn’t suffice, set up passes manually:
- Open the Wallet app and tap ‘+’.
- Select ‘Create a Pass’.
- Choose ‘Create Pass Manually’ and select a template.
- Fill in the necessary details and tap ‘Done’.
Edit Existing Passes
Personalize your passes by:
- Opening Wallet and selecting a pass.
- Tapping ‘More’ to edit details: the background, color, fields, or text.
- Saving changes by tapping ‘Done’.
Digital Card Options for Samsung and Google Users
Samsung Wallet Features
Samsung users can store cards with a barcode in Samsung Wallet:
- Open Wallet and tap ‘All’, then ‘Memberships’.
- Use ‘Import from Gallery’ or ‘Take a picture’ to scan.
- Manually input membership information if necessary.
- Follow prompts to save.
- Select the card later for scanning when needed.
Google Wallet on Pixel Devices
Google Wallet also allows for similar functionality:
- Capture a clear image of your card.
- Open Wallet and select ‘Add to Wallet’.
- Add details and tap ‘Add’ to save.
For physical card suggestions, try library cards, gym memberships, or loyalty rewards. Store these digitally to lighten your load.
Limitations and Considerations
These homemade digital passes can’t replace official credentials like driver’s licenses or payment cards. Use specific app options from card issuers when available. Test any digital pass thoroughly before discarding the original card.
Kurt ‘CyberGuy’ Knutsson highlights these features as beneficial to reducing wallet clutter, though caution is advised in replacing certain cards digitally. Reach out with your thoughts at CyberGuy.com and sign up for the free CyberGuy Newsletter for tech insights and updates.