Apple iOS 27 lets users create custom digital wallet passes

Apple is introducing a feature in iOS 27 that allows iPhone users to create their own digital passes in Apple Wallet from physical cards, photos, or screenshots. This development addresses a previous limitation where adding a membership or loyalty card to the digital wallet depended entirely on whether the issuing organization provided an official digital pass option.

The new functionality is particularly useful for cards featuring barcodes or QR codes, such as library cards and gym memberships, which often lack an "Add to Apple Wallet" button. Apple Intelligence on iOS 27 can recognize these codes from images and offer to add them to the Wallet app. This capability is available on supported devices, including the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 family and later compatible models, subject to language and region availability.

For users who prefer not to rely on automated recognition, Apple provides a manual method to build passes directly within the Wallet application. Users can customize the appearance of these passes and edit the information they contain, including adding or removing specific fields. The system also allows users to view the original photo used to create the pass by tapping a designated option within the app.

Competitors in the smartphone market already offer similar solutions. Samsung Galaxy owners can use Samsung Wallet to store almost any membership card with a barcode. The app supports both participating memberships that are built into the system and custom entries created by users. When needed, the barcode can be displayed on the screen for scanning by a cashier or compatible reader. Google Pixel users have access to comparable tools through Google Wallet, which can save passes from images containing barcodes or QR codes. Google specifically cites library cards, gym passes, and parking passes as suitable examples for this feature.

While these tools expand the utility of smartphones as digital wallets, significant limitations remain. Creating a digital pass from a photograph does not convert every physical card into an official digital credential. Users should not assume that sensitive credentials like driver's licenses, credit cards, or secure workplace badges can be replaced by simple photos, as these often require specific verification from the issuing organization or separate security enrollment.

Event tickets present another area of caution. Many ticketing services use barcodes that refresh or change to prevent fraud, meaning a static screenshot of such a code may fail at the entry gate. Industry experts advise using official "Add to Wallet" options whenever an issuer provides them. For static barcodes, keeping the physical card until the digital version has been successfully tested is recommended, as some scanners may struggle to read phone displays or organizations may mandate the use of the original card.