Skip to main content

Apple Wallet pass types

Pass typeRelevant dateRelevant locationsApple Watch supportGrouping
GenericYesMax 10 locations, small activation radius(maximum approx. 100m / 328ft)Aztec, PDF417 or QRGrouped
Event ticketYesMax 10 locations, large activation radius(maximum approx. 1000m / 3280 ft)Aztec, PDF417 or QR
experimental support for others*Separate
Boarding passYesMax 10 locations, large activation radius(maximum approx. 1000m / 3280 ft)Aztec, PDF417 or QRSeparate
Store cardNoMax 10 locations, small activation radius(maximum approx. 100m / 328ft)Aztec, PDF417 or QR
experimental support for others*Grouped
CouponNoMax 10 locations, small activation radius(maximum approx. 100m / 328ft)Aztec, PDF417 or QR
experimental support for others*Grouped
  • experimental support involves trying to write a strip image containing the barcode, which is then shown instead
Apple Watch support on Apple Wallet Apple Watch supports Aztec, PDF417 or QR natively. If your barcode is a different type and you use a compatible card type, then an image of the barcode is added to the card. This is a workaround, and imperfect. Barcodes is also available for Apple Watch and is recommended instead of Apple Wallet passes for this instance. Grouping If you select event or boarding type for your cards, they will not be grouped and appear below each other in Apple Wallet. If you use a different type of card, then they will be grouped next to each other. The event and boarding card types have a different appearance, so there are tradeoffs if you don’t want the cards grouped together. Apple Wallet Notes These limitations mentioned above all arise from Apple’s implementation and design of Apple Wallet, and Barcodes can’t change them. Relevant date and locations If you supply relevant locations, your iPhone can use this to show the passes when you are nearby. The distance is at most the distance shown for the type, but can be reduced in the app for closer distances. It is not possible to extend it further. If a card type supports a relevant date and both a date and a location are provided, the card will only show up when the date and the location are a match. More information on layout and pass design here from Apple, including pass shapes.