Yes, Apple Wallet does have barcode functionality that allows users to store, access, and use barcodes for things like boarding passes, movie tickets, coupons, and more right from their iPhone or Apple Watch. The Wallet app has included support for barcodes since it was first introduced alongside iOS 8 in 2014. Over the years, Apple has expanded and improved the Wallet’s barcode capabilities to support an increasing number of use cases.
Types of Barcodes Supported by Apple Wallet
Apple Wallet supports several major barcode types and standards:
QR Codes
QR codes (short for Quick Response codes) are a type of 2D barcode that can encode a variety of data types, including website URLs, contact information, calendar events, and more. QR codes are commonly used for mobile boarding passes, movie/event tickets, mobile coupons, and other digital passes stored in Apple Wallet.
PDF417 Barcodes
PDF417 is another standard 2D barcode format supported by Apple Wallet. It can encode over 1,800 alphanumeric characters in a single code. PDF417 barcodes are commonly used on U.S. driver’s licenses and other government-issued IDs, which can be added to Apple Wallet for digital ID purposes in supported U.S. states.
Aztec Codes
Aztec Code is a high-capacity 2D barcode standard that can hold up to 3,832 alphanumeric characters. It is used for some airline boarding passes stored in Apple Wallet.
Code 128
Code 128 is a 1D/linear barcode type often used for QR code compatibility. It can also appear on some Wallet passes.
So in summary, the major barcode standards supported by Apple Wallet include QR codes, PDF417, Aztec Code, and Code 128. This allows the Wallet app to store and display barcoded passes from a wide range of industries and use cases.
How Barcodes Work in Apple Wallet
When you add a supported pass with a barcode to Apple Wallet, the app downloads the barcode and displays it on your iPhone or Apple Watch screen when that pass is open. The barcode is then scanned directly from your device’s screen rather than having to print a paper pass.
For example, for a mobile boarding pass added to Wallet, when you arrive at the airport you would open your boarding pass in the Wallet app, display the barcode on your phone’s screen for the airline agent to scan with a barcode reader. This validates your boarding pass so you can proceed to your gate and board the plane.
Other common examples include displaying a Wallet-stored movie ticket barcode at a theater kiosk, or showing a retailer a mobile coupon barcode for them to scan at checkout.
This provides a convenient digital alternative to printed passes and tickets with barcodes. The barcodes also update dynamically – for instance, a boarding pass barcode will change colors or markings to indicate when it has been validated and scanned.
Apple uses advanced encryption and visual code obfuscation techniques to ensure the barcodes displayed in Wallet are secure. This prevents falsified or manipulated barcodes. The dynamic security features integrated with each barcode prevent unauthorized access or usage.
How to Add Passes with Barcodes to Apple Wallet
There are a few ways to add barcoded passes to Apple Wallet:
Apps That Support Wallet Passes
Many apps that issue passes now support adding them directly to Wallet. For example, you can add a boarding pass to Wallet from most airline apps, or a movie ticket from a movie theater chain’s app. Opening the pass in the app will display an “Add to Apple Wallet” button or similar option to transfer it.
Website Pass Links
Some passes are available via website links – if you tap the link on your iPhone, it will open an “Add to Apple Wallet” prompt. For instance, sites like Fandango can generate mobile movie ticket links that add the tickets to Wallet when tapped.
Scanning QR Codes
If you receive a QR code associated with a Wallet pass, you can scan it with your iPhone’s camera to pull up an “Add to Apple Wallet” prompt. For example, you might scan a QR code shown on an airline’s mobile boarding pass website.
Received Pass Attachments
You may receive pass files or attachments that can be added to Wallet – for example, a .pkpass file from an airline email confirmation. Tapping these files on iPhone will add them to Apple Wallet.
So in general, look for “Add to Apple Wallet” buttons within apps or websites, QR codes, or pass files sent via email or messages. Tapping or scanning these will save the pass and barcode directly into your Wallet app for easy access.
Types of Passes and Tickets with Barcodes in Apple Wallet
Here are some of the major types of passes and tickets that typically include barcodes for use with Apple Wallet:
Boarding Passes
Airline boarding passes with QR codes for airport security and boarding validation.
Event Tickets
Tickets to concerts, sports games, conferences, and other events with QR code admission identification.
Movie Tickets
Tickets and QR codes for theater admission and seat identification.
Coupons
Retail coupons with scannable QR codes for applying discounts.
Customer Loyalty Cards
Store loyalty/rewards cards with barcodes for applying saved discounts and points.
Hotel Keys
For hotels that support digital keys, QR code room access provided through Wallet.
Transit Cards
Some metro/bus systems support Wallet transit card passes with QR codes.
Student ID Cards
College student IDs with QR codes for campus access and identification.
Event Tickets
QR codes for entering conferences, festivals, and other ticketed events.
So in summary, Apple Wallet supports barcoded passes from airlines, movie theaters, retail stores, hotels, transportation services, universities, and any ticketing providers. This diversity enables most kinds of passes and tickets to become digital experiences on iPhone and Apple Watch.
Benefits of Using Barcoded Wallet Passes
There are many benefits to using barcoded passes stored in Apple Wallet, compared to traditional paper-based tickets and passes:
- Convenience: Passes are easily accessible from your phone or watch screen at any time.
- Organization: Wallet neatly stores all passes in one place rather than hunting down paper tickets.
- Efficiency: Barcodes can be read quickly, allowing faster processing and entry to events.
- Environmentally Friendly: Digital passes avoid wasted paper and printing resources.
- Accessibility: Blind or low vision users can use device accessibility features to present the barcodes.
- Security: Encryption and dynamic barcode technology prevent falsified passes.
- Backups: Passes are automatically synced across all user devices via iCloud.
- Updates: Travel delays, gate changes, and other updates can automatically sync to digital passes.
For these reasons, Apple Wallet barcodes provide easier, more secure, and more feature-rich digital pass functionality compared to print-based approaches.
Conclusion
In summary:
- Yes, Apple Wallet does support barcode storage, display, and usage.
- Wallet can store industry standard 1D/2D barcode types like QR codes, PDF417, Aztec, and Code 128.
- Airline, transit, retail, entertainment venues, and other providers can issue Wallet passes with scannable barcodes.
- Barcodes are encrypted and dynamically updated for security.
- Users can add barcoded passes to Wallet via apps, websites, QR scans, and other methods.
- Barcoded Wallet passes provide convenience, organization, efficiency, and other benefits compared to paper tickets.
So in summary, barcodes are a core feature of Apple Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch, enabling paperless passes for travel, events, retail, and many everyday activities. Apple’s support for secure industry-standard barcode types allows Wallet users to conveniently store, access, and scan their barcoded tickets and passes right from their devices.