Add your OMNY card to Apple Wallet in four steps

You can store your OMNY card in Apple Wallet on your iPhone or Apple Watch, then tap your device at any MTA reader to pay for transit. The process takes about two minutes and works with any OMNY card — whether it's a physical card you already own or a new one you set up just for this purpose.

Apple Wallet stores your card information securely using encryption, so your actual card number is never transmitted when you tap. You'll need an iPhone 6s or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 1 or newer, running the current version of iOS or watchOS.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the OMNY app installed on your iPhone before you can add a card to Apple Wallet.
  • The card must be registered to your name in the OMNY app — unregistered cards cannot be added to Wallet.
  • Once added, you can tap your iPhone or Apple Watch at any MTA reader without opening the app.
  • Your card balance and transaction history still appear in the OMNY app, not in Apple Wallet itself.

Download and open the OMNY app

Start by downloading the official OMNY app from the Apple App Store on your iPhone. Search for "OMNY" and look for the app with the blue and white OMNY logo — it's published by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Install it and open it when the download finishes.

If you already have the OMNY app, open it now. Make sure you're running the latest version by checking the App Store — tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner, scroll down to "OMNY", and if an "Update" button appears, tap it.

Register or sign in to your OMNY card

When you open the OMNY app, you'll see a login screen. If you already have an OMNY account, sign in with your email and password. If you don't have an account yet, tap "Create Account" and follow the prompts to set one up with your email address.

After you sign in, the app will show you any cards linked to your account. If you have a physical OMNY card you want to add to Wallet, it must already be registered here. To register a card, tap the plus icon and enter the 16-digit card number from the front of your card, then follow the prompts to add your name and payment method. If you don't have a physical card yet, you can create a digital OMNY card directly in the app by tapping "Add Card" and selecting "Digital Card".

Find the card you want to add to Apple Wallet

In the OMNY app, you'll see a list of your cards. Tap the card you want to add to Apple Wallet — it can be a physical card you registered or a digital card you created in the app. The card details screen will open, showing your balance and recent trips.

Look for a button or option that says "Add to Apple Wallet" or "Add to Wallet" — the exact wording varies depending on which version of the OMNY app you have. If you don't see this option, make sure you're signed in and the card is fully registered to your account.

Confirm the card details and finish

Tap "Add to Apple Wallet" or the equivalent button. A popup will appear asking you to confirm that you want to add this card to Wallet. Review the card details to make sure they're correct, then tap "Add" or "Confirm".

Your iPhone will then open Apple Wallet and show your OMNY card. You'll see your card number, balance, and a message confirming it's been added. The card is now ready to use — you can close the OMNY app and tap your iPhone at any MTA reader to pay for transit.

Use your OMNY card in Apple Wallet

To pay for transit with your iPhone, hold it near the MTA reader on the turnstile or bus. You don't need to open Apple Wallet or the OMNY app — just tap. Your iPhone will vibrate and the reader will beep to confirm the payment went through.

If you have an Apple Watch with your OMNY card added, you can tap that instead. To add the card to your Apple Watch, open the Wallet app on your watch, tap the plus icon, and select your OMNY card from the list of cards on your iPhone. The card will sync to your watch within a few seconds.

Your balance and transaction history still live in the OMNY app — Apple Wallet only stores the card itself and doesn't show your balance or trip history. Open the OMNY app anytime to check how much money you have left or review your recent trips.

Troubleshooting if the card won't add

If you see an error when trying to add your card to Apple Wallet, the most common reason is that the card isn't fully registered in the OMNY app. Go back to the OMNY app and make sure your name, email, and payment method are all filled in on the card details screen. Some cards require you to add a payment method before they can be added to Wallet.

If the card is registered but still won't add, try closing the OMNY app completely and reopening it. If that doesn't work, restart your iPhone and try again. Make sure you're running the latest version of both the OMNY app and iOS — outdated versions sometimes have compatibility issues with Apple Wallet.

If you're still stuck, contact the MTA through the OMNY app by tapping the menu icon and selecting "Help" or "Contact Us". They can verify that your card is set up correctly and troubleshoot any account issues preventing the Wallet transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add multiple OMNY cards to Apple Wallet?

Yes. If you have more than one OMNY card registered in the OMNY app, you can add each one to Apple Wallet separately. You can then choose which card to use by selecting it in Apple Wallet before you tap the reader.

What happens if I lose my iPhone after adding my OMNY card?

Your OMNY card itself is still safe — the card number and balance are stored on the MTA's servers, not on your phone. If you get a new iPhone, sign back into the OMNY app with your account and add the card to Wallet again. Your balance will be there.

Do I need to keep my physical OMNY card if I add it to Apple Wallet?

No. Once your card is in Apple Wallet, you can use your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay instead. You can keep the physical card as a backup, but you don't need it for everyday use.

Can I use my OMNY card in Apple Wallet on the subway and buses?

Yes. All MTA readers — on subway turnstiles, at bus fare boxes, and at station entrances — accept OMNY cards in Apple Wallet the same way they accept physical cards.

What if my OMNY card expires or I need to replace it?

If you get a new physical card or your card expires, you'll need to remove the old card from Apple Wallet and add the new one. Open Apple Wallet, tap and hold the OMNY card, tap the three dots, and select "Remove". Then add your new card through the OMNY app.