The basic steps to add a ticket
To add a ticket to Apple Wallet, you need an email or text message from the ticket seller that contains a link or attachment. Open that message on your iPhone or iPad, tap the link or attachment, and select "Add to Wallet" when it appears. The ticket then shows up in your Wallet app, where you can display it by tapping the card.
Not all tickets work this way. The ticket seller has to format the ticket as a digital pass — a file type that Apple Wallet recognizes. If you receive a PDF ticket or a screenshot instead, you cannot add it directly to Wallet. You would need to open it from your email or Photos app each time you need to show it.
The process is the same whether the ticket is for a concert, airline flight, movie, sports event, or parking. Once added, the ticket stays in Wallet until you delete it or the event date passes.
Key Takeaways
- Tickets must come as a digital pass file from the seller — a link in email or text message — to add them to Wallet; PDFs and screenshots cannot be added.
- You tap the link or attachment in the message, then tap "Add to Wallet" when the option appears on your screen.
- Some ticket sellers send the pass automatically; others require you to request it or download it from your account on their website.
- Once in Wallet, you can display the ticket by opening the app and tapping the card, and the barcode or QR code updates automatically if the seller makes changes.
When the ticket arrives as a link in email
Most major ticket sellers — including Ticketmaster, StubHub, and many airlines — send a link in your confirmation email. Open the email on your iPhone or iPad, tap the link, and your browser opens to a page showing the ticket. Look for a button that says "Add to Wallet," "Add to Apple Wallet," or sometimes just a Wallet icon. Tap it, and the ticket appears in your Wallet app within seconds.
If you do not see an "Add to Wallet" button, the seller may not support Apple Wallet for that particular ticket type. In that case, you can save the email or take a screenshot and show it at the venue instead. Some sellers also let you download the pass from your account page on their website — look for a button labeled "Add to Wallet" or "Download Pass" there.
When the ticket arrives as a text message or attachment
Some sellers, particularly for last-minute tickets or transfers, send the pass via text message. Open the message on your iPhone, tap the link, and follow the same "Add to Wallet" step. The process is identical to email.
If the ticket comes as an attachment (a file you can download), tap and hold the attachment, then select "Add to Wallet" from the menu that appears. This works for passes sent through messaging apps like iMessage as well as traditional SMS.
How to find and display your ticket in Wallet
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad — it is the app with a white card icon. Your tickets appear as cards in the list. Tap the ticket you want to display, and it expands to show the full barcode, QR code, or seat information. Hold your phone up to the scanner at the venue, and the barcode or code will scan just like a printed ticket.
If you have multiple tickets for the same event, they stack in Wallet. Swipe left or right to move between them. You can also add a ticket to your lock screen for faster access: open Wallet, tap and hold the ticket, then tap "Add to Lock Screen." The ticket then appears when you swipe up from the bottom of your lock screen, without needing to unlock your phone.
What to do if you cannot add the ticket
If you tap a link and no "Add to Wallet" button appears, the ticket seller has not formatted the ticket as a digital pass. This is common with smaller venues, local theaters, or older ticketing systems. In that case, save the email or take a screenshot and show it on your phone at the venue. Most venues accept either a printed ticket or a digital image of one.
If you received a PDF ticket, you can still use it — just open the email, tap the PDF to view it, and show the barcode or QR code to the scanner. You do not need to print it. Some ticket sellers also let you request a digital pass version of a PDF ticket by logging into your account on their website and looking for a "Download Pass" or "Add to Wallet" option.
Transferring tickets to someone else
If you need to give your ticket to another person, the method depends on the seller. Many sellers let you transfer the ticket through your account on their website — you enter the recipient's email address, and they receive a link to add it to their Wallet. Check your confirmation email or log into your account to see if a "Transfer" or "Share" option is available.
Some sellers do not allow transfers at all, or only allow them within a certain time window before the event. If transfer is not an option, you can forward the original email or text message to the other person, and they can add it to their Wallet using the same link. However, once they add it, you should delete it from your Wallet to avoid confusion at the venue.
Updating and deleting tickets
If the seller changes the ticket details — such as a seat change or a time adjustment — the ticket in your Wallet updates automatically. You do not need to do anything. The seller pushes the update to your phone, and the next time you open Wallet, the new information appears.
To delete a ticket, open Wallet, tap and hold the ticket card, and select "Remove." You can also swipe left on the ticket and tap the trash icon. Deleting a ticket from Wallet does not cancel your purchase — it just removes it from your phone. If you need the ticket again, you can add it back from the original email or your account on the seller's website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a ticket to Apple Wallet on my Mac or iPad?
You can add a ticket on an iPad the same way you do on an iPhone — tap the link and select "Add to Wallet." On a Mac, you cannot add tickets directly to Wallet through the app, but you can add them through iCloud.com or by forwarding the link to your iPhone and adding it there. Once added on any device, the ticket syncs across all your Apple devices.
What if I lost my phone after adding a ticket?
Your ticket is tied to your Apple ID, not just your phone. If you get a new iPhone and sign in with the same Apple ID, your tickets sync back automatically. If you need the ticket before your new phone arrives, you can log into your account on the ticket seller's website and download or view the ticket there, or ask them to resend the pass link.
Do I need internet to show my ticket at the venue?
No. Once a ticket is in your Wallet, it works offline. The barcode or QR code is stored on your phone and does not need an internet connection to display or scan. This is one advantage of Wallet over keeping tickets in email or a screenshot.
Can I add a screenshot of a ticket to Wallet?
No. Wallet only recognizes digital pass files sent by the ticket seller. If you have only a screenshot or PDF, you can show it to the venue by opening the image on your phone, but you cannot add it as a card in Wallet. Ask the ticket seller if they can send you a digital pass link instead.
What happens to my ticket after the event?
The ticket stays in your Wallet after the event date passes. You can delete it manually, or it may disappear on its own after a certain period — this depends on the seller. Keeping old tickets in Wallet does not hurt anything, but you can remove them to keep your Wallet organized.