Digitalizing Your Physical Cards With iOS 27

Take a look inside your wallet. You’re likely to find at least one card with little functionality beyond displaying a barcode. This could be a library card, gym membership, or grocery rewards card. Previously, adding such cards to your iPhone depended on whether the organization offered a digital pass. Apple has changed this with iOS 27, allowing you to create your own pass in Apple Wallet from a physical card, photo, or screenshot. Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel users enjoy similar features, granting the opportunity to leave some plastic cards at home.

How to Create Digital Passes

iOS 27 enables iPhone users to transform physical membership cards with barcodes or QR codes into digital passes in Apple Wallet, reducing the necessity for carrying plastic cards.

What’s New With Apple Wallet?

Apple introduced the ability to create personalized passes in Wallet using iOS 27. This is useful when a membership or loyalty card contains a barcode or QR code but lacks an ‘Add to Apple Wallet’ button. Library cards and gym memberships are common examples.

Owners of Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhones can create a pass from a photo or screenshot containing the barcode or QR code. Apple Intelligence recognizes the code and provides the option to add it to Wallet.

However, creating an Apple Wallet pass manually is also possible. Simply open the Wallet app, tap the plus sign, then ‘Create a Pass.’ Choose ‘Create Pass Manually,’ select a template, and fill in the necessary fields.

Editing Passes in Apple Wallet

Once a pass is created, you have the flexibility to customize its appearance or modify its contents. Open the Wallet app, select the pass you want to change, then tap the ‘More’ button followed by ‘Edit Pass.’ You can alter the background or color, change the displayed fields, or edit existing information.

Samsung Wallet Features

For Samsung Galaxy owners, Samsung Wallet offers similar functionality. Open Samsung Wallet, tap ‘All,’ then ‘Memberships.’ You can import a photo or take a new picture of the card. Alternatively, entering membership information manually is an option.

Google Pixel Pass Creation

Google Pixel users also have the capability to save passes from images with barcodes or QR codes using Google Wallet. Take a clear photo of the card and ensure its barcode or QR code is visible. Open Google Wallet, tap ‘Add to Wallet,’ choose ‘Photo,’ then ‘Manual.’ Pick the photo of your card and add a name and description.

What Cards Should You Try?

Cards with barcodes or QR codes for scanning are ideal. Consider library cards, gym memberships, store loyalty cards, and parking passes. Carefully test digital versions before discarding physical cards, as some scanners may struggle with phone displays.

Creating digital passes from photos does not guarantee an official digital credential. Cards like driver’s licenses, credit cards, secure workplace badges, or event tickets have specific requirements and may not be suitable for digital conversion.

Kurt’s Insights

iOS 27 addresses a frustrating limitation by allowing more control over digital pass creation. Samsung and Google offer similar capabilities, making it beneficial for any major phone user. Start with low-risk options like library cards or gym memberships. Save your wallet from extra clutter but remain mindful that photo-based passes differ from official digital credentials.

Which card would you be hesitant to replace with a digital version? Share your thoughts at CyberGuy.com.