Mobile wallets have quietly become one of the most useful tools on your phone and not for the reason most people think. In 2025, they’re where your ID lives, your boarding pass shows up, your gym card checks you in,and your event ticket gets scanned. No app installs. No logins. Just tap, show, or swipe.
In this article, we’ll break down what a mobile wallet really is today, how the technology has evolved, and why it’s becoming a go-to channel for customer engagement.
Key Takeaways
- Over 5.2 billion people are expected to use mobile wallets by 2026 (up from 3.4 billion in 2022).
- WWDC 2025 and Google I/O 2025 featured major Wallet updates: digital IDs, passports, auto-passes, and privacy credentials.
- Rapid wallet adoption in India, Latin America, and Southeast Asia fuels global growth.
- Mobile wallets now account for 60% of global e-commerce transactions, the leading payment method worldwide.
What Is a Mobile Wallet?
A mobile wallet is a secure digital feature on smartphones that stores payment cards, ID, travel passes, event tickets, and access credentials. It replaces physical wallets by letting users tap, scan, or show these items directly from their device, enabling fast payments, easy check-ins, and contactless access across retail, transit, and everyday life.
Three of the most widely used mobile wallets are Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet. These apps come pre-installed on most devices and support everything from airline check-ins to gym memberships, automatically surfacing the right pass based on time, location, or user activity.
How Mobile Wallets Work on Your Phone
Mobile wallets store digital items like ID cards, travel passes, and payment methods securely on your device. They use on-device encryption and secure hardware (like Apple’s Secure Enclave or Android’s Keystore) to protect sensitive data.
Features such as NFC enable tap-to-pay or access control, while QR codes and geofencing allow wallets to surface the right pass automatically, based on location, time, or user activity.
How Mobile Wallets Differ from Digital Wallets (E-Wallets)
Mobile wallets like Apple Wallet and Google Wallet are built into your smartphone’s operating system and used in physical settings, like scanning a boarding pass at the airport or tapping into transit.
Digital Wallets also called e-wallets, like PayPal or Venmo, focus on storing money and handling online payments. Mobile wallets are built for real-world access, they store passes, credentials, keys, and cards you use on the go, not just for sending money.
To explore how the two leading platforms compare and how businesses can benefit from adopting mobile wallet solutions, take a look at Apple Wallet vs Google Wallet and Top 9 Benefits of Mobile Wallets for Businesses.
What Can You Store in a Mobile Wallet?
Mobile wallets aren’t just for payments, they’re digital containers for the credentials and passes you use daily. From boarding a plane to unlocking your car, these wallets store more than just cards. Here’s what they now support natively on most devices.
Digital IDs and Driver’s Licenses
Many states and countries now support digital driver’s licenses and national IDs inside mobile wallets. These credentials can be used for age verification, airport security, and law enforcement stops, all without a physical card.
As of 2025, Apple Wallet supports digital IDs in over 10 U.S. states including Arizona and Maryland, with expansion across the EU underway. Data is stored using on-device encryption and verified through biometrics like Face ID or fingerprint.
Digital Boarding Passes and Travel Credentials
Public transportation systems now issue digital transit cards, rail passes, and boarding passes directly through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.
In cities like London, San Francisco, and Tokyo, commuters can tap to enter stations using NFC and receive real-time updates on gate or departure changes. Wallet passes auto-update if trip details shift, eliminating paper entirely.
Event Tickets, Loyalty Cards, and Coupons
Concert venues, sports stadiums, and conferences default to wallet-based tickets that scan on arrival. Brands use mobile wallets to show live loyalty point balances, rewards, and member tiers.
Retailers push geo-triggered coupons that appear when users are near a store, redeemable with a single tap, no app or code needed.
Smart Keys – Car, Home, Hotel, and Office
Mobile wallets now store secure digital keys for vehicles, hotel rooms, apartments, and coworking spaces.
Apple Wallet supports car keys for brands like BMW and Hyundai, while hotel chains like Hyatt issue digital room keys via wallet. Keys are time-restricted, remotely revokable, and often powered by NFC or UWB for tapless entry.
What’s New in Apple Wallet (WWDC Event)
Apple’s WWDC update significantly upgrades Wallet functionality especially around identity, travel, and real-world verification. These changes reflect a shift toward smarter, more secure user credentials, and open up new business applications for digital passes.
Digital IDs, Passports, and Verification
Apple is positioning Wallet as a secure identity platform for both digital travel credentials and age or identity verification in real-world and online settings:
U.S. Passport support at TSA: Apple Wallet now lets users store a digital version of their U.S. passport. While limited to select TSA checkpoints and not valid for international travel, it streamlines domestic airport ID checks.
Digital driver’s licenses and state IDs: Available in more U.S. states including Arizona, Maryland, Georgia, and Colorado. These Wallet-stored IDs are protected with Face ID or Touch ID and accepted by TSA and some DMV services.
Verify with Wallet on the web: Websites can now prompt users to verify their age or identity using their stored digital ID removing the need for document uploads or selfie scans. Useful for alcohol delivery, banking, and age-restricted services.
Merchant ID Verifier API: A new API allows physical merchants to verify someone’s ID directly from their iPhone, no extra hardware needed. This is ideal for retail, car rentals, hospitality, and event check-ins.
These updates shift mobile wallets into verified identity territory ideal for businesses building secure access passes, age-gated loyalty tiers, or verified event credentials. Digital IDs aren’t just stored, they’re now actionable inside Wallet.
Smart Tickets and Event Support
Apple Wallet’s ticketing features in WWDC make it easier for users to manage trips and events in one place:
Redesigned boarding passes with Live Activities: Boarding passes now update in real time on the Lock Screen with Live Activities. Users see departure times, gate changes, and delays without opening an app. Flight status can also be shared with friends or family.
Airport maps and baggage tracking: Users can view terminal layouts directly from their boarding pass and quickly access the Find My app to track checked bags via AirTag.
Multi-event ticket support: Wallet now supports passes that contain multiple entries, useful for sports season tickets, conferences, or festivals. Each event can include its own session details or venue info.
Live suggestions for related services: Event passes can now display additional options like parking access, seat upgrades, or local recommendations based on the context of the pass.
Apple Wallet is now built to handle the full event experience before, during, and after, without the need for extra apps or manual check-ins.
Automatic Order Tracking in Wallet
Apple Wallet in iOS 26 now supports automatic order tracking, powered by Apple Intelligence. When enabled, iOS scans your Mail app for shipping and delivery emails from retailers or couriers.
It extracts relevant details such as order number, delivery status, and estimated arrival and displays them in a new Order Tracking section within Wallet.
This functionality works for a wide range of merchants, not just those that support Apple Pay, and allows users to check delivery updates directly from their Lock Screen without needing to open emails or install additional apps.
New Apple Pay and Payment Features
iOS 26 introduces Tap to Cash, a peer-to-peer payment feature that lets users send or receive Apple Cash by holding two iPhones together. No contact info is needed, just proximity and Face ID or Touch ID to confirm the transfer.
Apple Pay now supports rewards and installment payments during checkout. Users with eligible cards can apply loyalty points or split purchases into payment plans directly within Wallet. Additionally, Apple Pay is now compatible with desktop browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, users complete the payment by scanning a code with their iPhone.
Wallet’s preauthorized payments view now shows richer details for subscriptions and recurring charges, including branding and billing terms. Apple also updated FinanceKit, enabling finance apps to access Wallet data like balances and transactions (with user permission) to provide real-time insights.
What’s New in Google Wallet (I/O)
Google Wallet’s 2025 update brings expanded ID support, smarter ticketing, improved payment flows, and broader availability across global markets.
Digital IDs, Privacy, and Verification
Google Wallet is evolving beyond a payment tool into a secure platform for verified identity. In 2025, it added support for four more U.S. regions Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico, and West Virginia joining Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, and New Mexico. Users in these areas can now add official state IDs to Wallet, usable at TSA checkpoints and some DMV services.
In the UK, Google introduced early-stage digital passport support, enabling verification for railcard eligibility and other age-restricted checks. Broader use cases are expected as adoption increases.
To improve privacy during online verification, Google is also rolling out Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology. This allows users to confirm specific attributes like being over 18 without revealing their exact birthdate or full ID details.
This approach keeps personal data private while satisfying age or identity requirements, and Google has committed to open-sourcing the technology for wider developer adoption
Travel Credentials and Transit Passes
Google Wallet now supports real-time transit updates in India (Indian Railways) and Canada (Via Rail). When a transit ticket is added, Wallet displays live status information such as “On time,” “Delayed,” departure times, and estimated arrival directly within the pass.
These updates are powered by Google Maps and appear automatically for users with active tickets. Additionally, new APIs allow transit operators and developers to enable transit pass purchases directly within Wallet, tied to tokenized payment cards for faster, more secure checkout.
For air travel, boarding passes are now added automatically to Wallet after check-in when airlines use the latest Wallet API. Related passes such as parking or lounge access, can be linked to the boarding pass to streamline the full travel experience.
On Wear OS smartwatches, Wallet supports express transit, allowing users to tap and pay for rides even when the screen is off and the Wallet app isn’t open, as long as the watch is unlocked.
Smart Notifications, Global Reach & Payments
Google Wallet now delivers smarter alerts, cleaner payment flows, and wider international coverage.
Contextual Alerts & Notifications: Wallet now triggers location-based notifications when users approach places like transit hubs, airports, or venues. Field-level alerts such as gate changes or loyalty point updates also appear in real time, improving pass relevance.
Updated Payment Interface & PayPal Changes: Google has redesigned the Wallet pay sheet with richer visuals and dark mode. As of June 13, 2025, PayPal accounts will no longer be supported as a funding source in the U.S., though PayPal debit cards will still work.
Global Availability & App Stability: Google Wallet now supports passes in 50+ new countries. Even in regions without NFC, users can store and view passes. Background improvements to speed, reliability, and crash recovery are also being rolled out.
Family Wallets and Credential APIs
Google Wallet now supports supervised access for families. Parents can issue digital passes or payment cards to their children and manage them through Family Link. This includes real-time controls such as purchase approvals, pass sharing, and notifications, available in the U.S., UK, Australia, Spain, and Poland.
The Verifiable Credentials API lets third-party apps request official documents like licenses, memberships, or educational credentials. Built on W3C standards (including OpenID4VP and VCI), it enables secure, consent-based identity sharing directly from Wallet.
Users can also personalize Wallet passes with private images such as profile photos or ID card likenesses that are stored securely and only visible to the account holder. This feature adds another layer of trust and identification for credentials shared digitally.
How Businesses Use Mobile Wallets Today
Mobile wallets have been a valuable channel for businesses for years enabling everything from loyalty cards and event tickets to boarding passes and coupons. What’s changed with the latest Apple and Google updates isn’t the core value, but the scope.
With stronger identity features, richer content, and smarter automation, wallets are becoming even more capable, reinforcing their role as a go-to touchpoint for real-time, high-intent customer engagement. For brands already using wallet passes, these upgrades unlock new possibilities. For those not yet invested, they raise the cost of staying on the sidelines.
Key Business Use Cases
| Use Case | What It Looks Like in the Wallet | Business Impact |
| Loyalty cards & rewards | Points balance, tier status, and personalized offers update automatically. | Higher repeat-purchase rates; no forgotten cards. |
| Event tickets & check-ins | Ticket surfaces on event day with seat, gate, or QR code ready to scan. | Faster entry, less fraud, lower printing costs. |
| Coupons & promotions | Time- or geo-triggered offers appear when shoppers are near a store. | Substantially higher redemption vs. email/paper. |
| ID verification & access | Digital IDs, hotel keys, or gym passes unlock doors or prove age in seconds. | Removes plastic cards and dedicated hardware. |
| Gift Cards | Balance, brand, and barcode ready to redeem with a scan. | Drives repeat visits and keeps your brand top-of-wallet. |
Benefits Over Traditional Channels
Mobile wallet passes outperform traditional engagement channels like email, apps, or paper by eliminating friction and staying constantly visible. They don’t ask users to opt in, download anything, or remember credentials. With a single tap, a pass is added and from that point forward, it becomes an always-available, self-updating asset on the user’s device.
Passes are accessed more frequently than most branded apps or emails, especially when they’re tied to real-world context like location or timing. Offers surface near stores, tickets update when events change, and loyalty cards reflect points in real time all without the customer needing to do anything.
Unlike an email that gets buried or an app that sits unopened, a wallet pass remains just one swipe away. It’s not just more convenient, it’s persistently visible, relevant in the moment, and requires zero effort to engage with. That’s why businesses are increasingly treating it as a primary channel, not an accessory.
Industries Leading Adoption
| Sector | Typical Wallet Deployments | Why It Works |
| Retail & eCommerce | Loyalty cards, coupons, digital receipts. | Drives in-store traffic and repeat sales. |
| Travel & Hospitality | Boarding passes, hotel room keys, itineraries. | Reduces check-in lines and paper clutter. |
| Events & Entertainment | Mobile tickets, VIP passes, seat upgrades. | Cuts fraud, speeds entry, opens upsell paths. |
| Healthcare & Education | Digital ID badges, test results, appointment reminders. | Secure, contact-free, always accessible. |
While these industries are setting the pace, mobile wallet adoption is expanding into adjacent sectors like transportation, fitness, coworking, and even government services. What they all share is the need to deliver real-time, credentialed access with minimal friction, something wallet passes now do better than most apps or legacy systems.
How to Create a Mobile Wallet Pass
To create a mobile wallet pass, you can use platforms like PassKit, which offer drag-and-drop editors, dynamic field support, and cross-platform compatibility for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.
These tools let you design, distribute, and update passes such as loyalty cards, event tickets, and digital coupons via QR codes, email, or smart links. Developers can also build custom passes using Apple’s PassKit framework or Google Wallet API for deeper integration and control.
1. Choose a Wallet Pass Provider
Before you begin designing your pass, select a provider that fits your technical requirements and use case. While most platforms support both Apple and Google Wallet formats, what sets them apart is how they handle scalability, automation, and integration.
Look for features like template management, support for real-time updates, barcode configuration, and secure hosting. If you plan to trigger passes based on user activity or run ongoing campaigns, make sure the platform offers API access, webhooks, and CRM or POS integrations. For non-developers, a visual editor and pre-built pass types can accelerate setup.
2. Design the Pass Layout
With your provider selected, the next step is to define how the pass will look and what information it will contain. Most platforms offer either a visual editor or structured templates to help you build within the design constraints of Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.
Start by choosing a pass type that aligns with your use case like loyalty card, coupon, event ticket, access pass, or generic template. Each type has a predefined layout and supports different fields and behaviors. From there, you’ll add branding elements such as your logo, brand colors, and background image, followed by the core content: title, description, and any static or dynamic text fields.
If your pass needs to be scannable, you’ll configure a barcode or QR code with the correct format (e.g. Code128, QR, PDF417) based on the scanner or system you’re using.
3. Configure Data Fields
After designing the layout of your pass, the next step is to define the specific fields that will hold and display information. In PassKit, these fields are categorized into static, dynamic, and secure types, each serving a distinct purpose in how data is rendered and updated.
Each field must be configured with the correct data source and formatting to ensure it appears as expected across Apple and Google Wallet. Static fields are used for unchanging values like a brand name or customer service number, while dynamic fields display personalized or real-time data such as loyalty balances, expiration dates, or check-in times.
4. Generate the Pass & Test
With your layout and fields configured, the next step is to generate the wallet pass. Most no-code platforms handle the entire process behind the scenes, once your content is ready, the system packages everything and prepares the pass for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet automatically. There’s no need to worry about file formats or certificates.
Before sharing with customers, preview and test the pass on different devices. Check that the layout looks correct, barcodes scan properly, and dynamic fields like loyalty points or event times display as expected. It’s also important to confirm that the pass surfaces in the right context, like when it’s time to check in or redeem an offer.
5. Distribute the Pass
Once your pass has been tested, it’s ready to be delivered to customers. You can distribute it through a range of channels such as email, SMS, QR codes, or directly on your website. These options make it easy to embed the pass into existing customer touchpoints, whether it’s part of a confirmation message, a thank-you page, or a promotional campaign.
There’s no app to install or account to set up. When users tap the link or scan the code, the pass is instantly added to their mobile wallet. The simplicity of this process significantly improves conversion rates, making it ideal for driving participation in loyalty programs, events, and ongoing engagement efforts.
6. Maintain and Update
The real power of mobile wallet passes comes after installation. You can continue to update the content in real time adjusting offer details, loyalty balances, event schedules, or access permissions as needed. These updates appear instantly in the customer’s wallet, and can trigger notifications based on location or timing.
Passes can also expire automatically or be marked as used, ensuring users only see relevant, current information. This makes the wallet pass an ongoing communication tool, not just a one-time download and allows your brand to stay connected without relying on emails, logins, or separate apps.
