The basic steps for adding tickets to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet

Most tickets — concert, airline, movie, sports event — can be added to your phone's wallet app in two ways: either the ticket seller sends you a link you tap to add it directly, or you manually add a ticket by scanning or uploading a barcode or QR code. The exact steps depend on which wallet app you use and which ticket seller you bought from.

For Apple Wallet, you typically receive an email or text with a link that says "Add to Apple Wallet" or shows an Apple Wallet icon. Tap that link, and your phone opens Wallet automatically and shows you a preview of the ticket. Tap "Add" in the top right corner, then confirm. The ticket now appears in your Wallet app, organized by event date.

For Google Wallet, the process is similar: you receive a link in email or text, tap it, and Google Wallet opens to show the ticket preview. Tap "Add to Wallet" and confirm. The ticket saves to your Google Wallet app on any Android phone signed into your Google account.

Key Takeaways

  • Most ticket sellers send you a direct link to add tickets to Wallet — tapping the link is faster and more reliable than manual entry.
  • If you do not receive a link, you can usually add a ticket manually by uploading a screenshot or scanning a barcode with your phone's camera.
  • Apple Wallet and Google Wallet store tickets separately, so you need the app that matches your phone type (iPhone or Android).
  • Tickets in Wallet update automatically when the seller makes changes, such as a seat change or event delay.
  • You do not need internet to show a ticket at the venue — the barcode or QR code displays even when your phone is offline.

When the ticket seller sends you a direct link

This is the easiest route and the most common one. After you buy a ticket online, the seller's website or confirmation email includes a button or link labeled "Add to Apple Wallet," "Add to Google Wallet," or sometimes just a wallet icon. Tap or click that link from your phone.

Your phone automatically opens the correct wallet app and shows you a preview of the ticket — usually displaying the event name, date, time, seat or section, and a barcode or QR code. Review the details to make sure they match your purchase. Then tap the "Add" button (on Apple Wallet) or "Add to Wallet" button (on Google Wallet) and confirm by entering your phone's passcode or using Face ID or fingerprint.

The ticket now lives in your Wallet app. You can open Wallet at any time, find the ticket by scrolling or searching, and tap it to display the barcode or QR code full-screen for scanning at the venue.

Adding a ticket manually when you do not have a link

If the ticket seller did not send you a direct link, or if you bought a ticket in person or from a third-party reseller, you can still add it manually. You will need either a screenshot of the ticket (showing the barcode or QR code) or the ability to scan the barcode with your phone's camera.

On Apple Wallet, open the Wallet app, tap the plus icon in the top right corner, and select "Event Ticket" or "Other" depending on the ticket type. You can then upload a screenshot from your photo library or take a new photo of the barcode. Wallet will read the barcode and create a ticket entry. Fill in any missing details like the event name or date if Wallet does not recognize them automatically.

On Google Wallet, open the app, tap the plus icon, and select "Event Ticket." You can upload a screenshot or take a photo of the barcode. Google Wallet reads the barcode and populates the ticket information. If the barcode does not scan clearly, you may need to enter some details by hand — event name, date, and venue are usually the minimum.

Understanding the difference between Apple Wallet and Google Wallet

The two apps work similarly but are not interchangeable. Apple Wallet is built into iPhones and iPads and stores tickets, boarding passes, payment cards, and IDs. Google Wallet is Google's equivalent for Android phones and serves the same purpose. If you own both an iPhone and an Android phone, you will need to add tickets to both wallets separately — there is no automatic sync between them.

One practical difference: Apple Wallet tickets sometimes display automatically on your lock screen as the event date approaches, which can be convenient if you are rushing to an event. Google Wallet does not do this, so you have to open the app manually to find your ticket. Both apps let you set notifications for upcoming events, though the timing and style of those notifications vary slightly.

If you are buying tickets for someone else, you can usually forward them a link to add to their own wallet, or you can take a screenshot and send that. The person receiving the screenshot can then add it manually using the steps above.

What happens when the ticket seller makes changes

If you added a ticket through a direct link, the ticket in your Wallet app updates automatically when the seller makes changes — a seat reassignment, a time delay, a venue change, or a cancellation. You do not have to do anything; the update happens in the background.

If you added a ticket manually by uploading a screenshot, changes do not sync automatically. You will need to delete the old ticket from Wallet and add the new one. This is one reason why direct links are preferable: they keep your ticket current without extra work on your part.

Most ticket sellers also send you an email or text notification when something changes, so you will know to check your Wallet app or add an updated ticket if you added it manually.

Using your ticket at the venue

When you arrive at the venue, open your Wallet app and find your ticket. Tap it to display the barcode or QR code full-screen. The venue staff will scan that code with a handheld scanner or a tablet. The scan confirms your entry and marks the ticket as used.

You do not need an internet connection for this to work. The barcode or QR code is stored on your phone, so it displays even if you are in an area with no cell service or Wi-Fi. This is one of the main advantages of storing tickets in Wallet rather than just keeping them in email.

Some venues let you add tickets to Wallet directly from their own app — for example, Ticketmaster has a "Add to Wallet" button in its app, and many sports teams and concert venues do the same. If the venue offers this option, use it, because it often includes extra features like parking information or concession discounts.

Troubleshooting tickets that will not add

If you tap an "Add to Wallet" link and nothing happens, the most common cause is that you are using the wrong device. An Apple Wallet link will not work on an Android phone, and a Google Wallet link will not work on an iPhone. Check the email or text message again to see if there is a link for your phone type.

If you are trying to add a ticket manually and the barcode will not scan, make sure the barcode or QR code is fully visible in your photo — no shadows, no glare, and the entire code in frame. If the barcode is damaged or too small to read, you may need to contact the ticket seller and ask them to resend the ticket or provide a replacement barcode.

Some older or smaller ticket sellers do not support direct Wallet integration. In those cases, you can take a screenshot of the ticket email and keep it in your phone's photo library, or ask the seller if they have a mobile app with Wallet support. A few venues still require you to print a physical ticket or show a paper confirmation, though this is becoming less common.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add the same ticket to both Apple Wallet and Google Wallet?

Yes, if you own both an iPhone and an Android phone. You will need to add the ticket to each wallet separately — either by tapping the direct link on each device, or by taking a screenshot and adding it manually to the wallet app on the device that does not have it. The barcode or QR code works the same way on both.

What if I lose my phone before the event?

If you added the ticket through a direct link, you can add it again to a new phone using the same link from your email or text message. If you added it manually, take a screenshot of your ticket before the event and save it somewhere you can access from another device — your email, cloud storage, or a second phone. The barcode will still work even if it is a screenshot of a screenshot.

Do I need to show my ticket in Wallet, or can I just show an email confirmation?

Most venues now require the barcode or QR code from Wallet or a screenshot, not just an email confirmation. Check your ticket confirmation to see what the venue asks for. Some venues accept either, but showing the barcode from Wallet is faster and more reliable because the staff can scan it directly.

Can someone else use my ticket if they have my phone?

Yes, which is why you should not share your phone's passcode with anyone you do not trust. If you need to give a ticket to someone else, forward them the direct link from your email or text, or take a screenshot and send that. Do not hand them your unlocked phone. Once a ticket is scanned at the venue, it cannot be used again, so sharing the barcode itself is not a security risk — but sharing your phone is.

Will my ticket work if my phone battery dies?

No. Your phone needs enough battery to display the barcode or QR code on screen. If your battery is very low, ask the venue staff if they have a charger or a backup way to verify your ticket — some venues keep a record of scanned tickets and can look you up by name. To avoid this, charge your phone before heading to the venue.