When purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster, you have the option to get either paper tickets that will be mailed to you or emailed to you, or mobile tickets that you can access through your smartphone. Mobile tickets have become increasingly popular in recent years due to the convenience of having your ticket accessible on your phone. However, a common question that arises is whether you have to download the Ticketmaster app to access mobile tickets or if you can use them without the app. Here is a detailed look at how Ticketmaster mobile tickets work and whether downloading the Ticketmaster app is required.
What are Ticketmaster Mobile Tickets?
Ticketmaster mobile tickets are digital tickets that allow you to store your ticket barcode on your smartphone rather than printing out paper tickets. When you choose mobile ticket delivery during the Ticketmaster purchase process, you will receive an email with your ticket barcode and QR code that you can access from your phone and scan for entry at the event. Some key things to know about Ticketmaster mobile tickets:
- They contain a unique barcode and QR code to scan to validate your ticket
- They can be accessed via your Ticketmaster account online or the Ticketmaster app
- They are encrypted for security and can only be accessed via the email they were sent to
- If your phone dies, you can login to your Ticketmaster account from another device to access your tickets
Mobile tickets provide a convenient digital option so you don’t have to worry about carrying around paper tickets. Many people choose them so they always have their tickets handy on their smartphones.
Can You Use Mobile Tickets Without the App?
When you choose mobile ticket delivery, you do NOT need to download the Ticketmaster app to access your tickets. You have a couple different options to access your mobile tickets without using the app:
Via Your Ticketmaster Account
When you receive the email with your mobile ticket barcode and QR code, you can login to your Ticketmaster account on a web browser to view your tickets. Here are the steps:
- Go to ticketmaster.com and click “Sign In” in the top right
- Login with your Ticketmaster account credentials that you used to purchase the tickets
- Click on “My Events” to view your upcoming events
- Find the event and click “View Tickets”
- Here you will see your ticket barcode and QR code that you can click to expand and enlarge
- You can screen shot or save the barcode to your phone if you want to have it handy separately from your account
As long as you have the email with your ticket info, you can login through the Ticketmaster site to view your tickets anytime without needing the app.
Via the Email on Your Phone
The other option is to simply open the email containing your mobile tickets on your phone. Most smartphones allow you to access your email inbox. So you can pull up the email that Ticketmaster sent you with your mobile ticket barcode and QR code and show this directly to the ticket scanner for entry. As long as you have access to the email on your device, you do not need the Ticketmaster app.
Benefits of Still Using the App
While downloading the Ticketmaster app is not required to access your mobile tickets, there are some benefits to using the app that you may want to consider:
- Easily store all your tickets in one place – The app provides a convenient hub to access all your tickets in one spot rather than searching through emails
- Get reminders when events are coming up – The app will send you notifications as your event dates approach
- Quickly transfer or sell tickets – The app provides easy options to transfer ticket barcode to a friend or post them for resale
- View interactive venue maps – The app includes detailed venue maps that you can zoom and navigate
- Get discounts and special offers – Sometimes app-exclusive discounts are offered for certain events
While the Ticketmaster app is not mandatory, it provides some handy features that allow you to manage your tickets conveniently in one place. But it is ultimately up to you whether you choose to download it or simply access your mobile tickets via email or your account.
Troubleshooting Mobile Ticket Issues
Hopefully you can easily access your mobile tickets either through your account, email or the app. But technical issues can pop up from time to time that could prevent you from displaying your ticket barcode. Here is some troubleshooting advice if you run into problems:
Make Sure Your Ticketmaster Account Email is Correct
To access your mobile tickets, you need to login to Ticketmaster with the same email address that you used to purchase the tickets. Double check that you are using the correct email that is associated with the ticket purchase. If you cannot remember or reset your password, you will need to contact Ticketmaster directly for assistance accessing your account.
Check Your Spam or Junk Folders
Sometimes the email containing the mobile tickets ends up in spam or junk folders. Be sure to check these folders in case your email system flagged it.
Try Resending the Ticket Email
If you cannot locate the email with your mobile ticket information, try having Ticketmaster resend it. You can call their customer service or access the help portal on their website to request they resend the mobile ticket delivery email so you have access to it again.
Update Your Email App or Try an Alternate Device
A technical issue with your email app or device could prevent you from opening the ticket email. Try updating your device software or email app and restarting your device. Or access your email from an alternate device like a computer or another smartphone if possible.
Use Your Account as a Backup
As mentioned above, you can always login to your Ticketmaster account online as a backup to view your tickets there if you are having trouble with the email. Just make sure you are logging in with the correct account credentials.
Contact Ticketmaster Support
If all else fails, reach out directly to Ticketmaster Fan Support. They can help troubleshoot and resolve any issues accessing your mobile tickets or get you new ticket information sent if needed.
Summary
To summarize the key points:
- Ticketmaster mobile tickets allow you to access your tickets digitally on your smartphone
- You do NOT need to download the Ticketmaster app to use mobile tickets
- You can access mobile tickets through your Ticketmaster account, directly via the email, or the Ticketmaster app
- The Ticketmaster app provides some useful features but is not required
- Make sure to troubleshoot correctly if you have any issues accessing your mobile tickets
So while the Ticketmaster app can be useful, it is not mandatory to download it to use mobile tickets purchased through Ticketmaster. You have options to conveniently access them either through your account or the email containing them. This provides flexibility if you prefer not to use the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can mobile tickets be scanned from your phone?
Yes, Ticketmaster mobile tickets contain a barcode and QR code specifically for scanning digitally from your phone. When you arrive at the event, simply open up your mobile ticket on your phone and the ticket taker can scan the code to validate and allow entry.
Can mobile tickets be printed out?
No, mobile tickets are meant for digital access only. Because the barcode is encrypted and dynamically generated, printing out a mobile ticket will not allow the barcode to scan properly. You must access your mobile tickets from your phone digitally.
What if my phone dies before the event?
If your phone battery dies before you can access your mobile ticket, you have a couple options:
- If you have time, charge your phone enough to turn it on and access the ticket.
- Login to your Ticketmaster account from another device like a friend’s phone or computer to view your ticket.
- Go to the box office at the venue for assistance accessing your ticket.
To avoid this issue, try to make sure your phone is charged before heading to the event. And consider screenshooting your mobile ticket to have a backup just in case.
Can mobile tickets be transferred or sold?
Tickets purchased directly through Ticketmaster can be transferred or resold securely through your Ticketmaster account. To transfer, login and find the order, then click to manage the tickets. From here you can transfer to a recipient or post them for resale through Ticketmaster’s verified marketplace. Mobile tickets from third party resellers may have different policies for transfers.
Comparing Mobile Tickets Across Major Ticket Companies
Ticketmaster is not the only major ticketing company that offers mobile ticketing options. Here is a comparison of how mobile ticketing works with some other large primary and secondary market ticket sellers:
Company | App Required for Mobile Tickets? | Other Ways to Access Tickets |
---|---|---|
Ticketmaster | No | Via account or email |
AXS | No | Via account or email |
StubHub | Yes | N/A |
VividSeats | No | Via account or email |
SeatGeek | Yes | N/A |
TickPick | Yes | N/A |
As you can see, some major secondary market resellers like StubHub and SeatGeek require use of their app for mobile tickets, while companies like Ticketmaster and VividSeats allow other options beyond just the app. This gives you more flexibility in how you access and manage your tickets.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster mobile tickets provide a convenient digital ticketing option to easily access your event tickets on your smartphone. While the Ticketmaster app offers some useful features, it is not required to be downloaded to view and use your mobile tickets purchased through Ticketmaster. You have choices like accessing your tickets via your Ticketmaster account, directly through the email, or taking a screenshot of the barcode. So you can utilize mobile ticketing without needing the app. Just make sure to troubleshoot any technical issues in advance to ensure smooth entry at the event. Mobile ticketing continues to gain popularity for its simplicity and convenience compared to traditional paper tickets.