Apple Wallet allows users to store digital versions of tickets, boarding passes, and more on their iPhone or Apple Watch. When it’s time to use one of these passes, users simply pull up the pass in the Wallet app and hold their device near the scanner. But how exactly does the scanning process work? Let’s take a look under the hood.
How Ticket Scanning Works
Apple Wallet uses barcode technology to enable quick and convenient scanning of passes. Each pass contains a unique barcode that encodes the details of that specific ticket or boarding pass. When you go to use your pass, the scanner simply reads this barcode to retrieve the required information.
The most common type of barcode used is the QR code. QR codes can pack a lot of data into a small square shape that’s easy for scanners to read. The QR code on your Apple Wallet pass contains an encrypted version of all the main details about your ticket – like event name, seat number, date, etc. The scanner decrypts this data when it scans your code.
1D vs 2D Barcodes
There are two main types of barcodes used on passes:
- 1D barcodes – These are the traditional linear barcodes that consist of black lines and white spaces of varying widths. 1D barcodes can only hold up to about 20 numeric digits.
- 2D barcodes – 2D barcodes can hold much more data as they consist of both vertical and horizontal elements arranged in a square. The QR code is the most common type of 2D barcode.
Apple Wallet typically uses more advanced 2D QR codes as they can contain lots of customized pass data in a small space. Some older scanners may still rely on 1D barcodes, but most modern barcode readers support both.
Barcode Scanning Process
When you go to use a pass from Apple Wallet, the basic barcode scanning process goes like this:
- You arrive at the event, airport gate, etc. and pull up the relevant pass on your iPhone screen.
- You tap the pass and hold your iPhone near the barcode scanner.
- The scanner emits a laser beam to read the unique barcode on your pass.
- The barcode’s encrypted data gets instantly decrypted by the scanner.
- The decrypted data is sent to the venue’s ticketing system for verification.
- If valid, the system sends back a confirmation, your pass is accepted and you can proceed.
This all happens virtually instantly. The scanner is able to read and decrypt the barcode in a fraction of a second. Many venues these days even allow self-scanning by providing barcode readers for you to scan your own passes as you enter.
Barcode Security Features
Given that your tickets and boarding passes contain sensitive personal information, Apple Wallet employs some security measures to keep your data safe:
Encryption
As mentioned, the data in the barcode is encrypted. This prevents people from being able to extract meaningful information simply by scanning or photographing your pass. The barcode can only be decrypted using the scanner’s secret decryption key.
One-Time-Use Codes
For very sensitive passes like airline boarding passes, Apple uses one-time-use barcodes. Each time you open the pass, a new barcode is generated. This means that even if someone copies your barcode, it will only work once and then become useless.
Device Binding
Passes are bound to your Apple device using device-specific keys. This means if a pass gets transmitted to another device, it won’t scan successfully. The barcode will only work when scanned from the same original device.
User Presence
For iPhones with Face ID, the pass won’t display the barcode unless you are actively looking at the phone. This avoids people scanning your barcode without your knowledge when your phone is lying around.
These measures help ensure that the convenience of digital tickets doesn’t come at the cost of security. Your personal information stays protected.
Scanner Compatibility
For Apple Wallet barcodes to work, the venue needs to have compatible barcode scanners set up. Here are some key points around compatibility:
- Most modern scanners support the QR codes used by Apple Wallet. The QR code was invented in 1994 and has been a widely used standard for decades.
- In addition to decoding the barcode, the scanner system needs to integrate with the venue’s back-end ticketing system to validate the tickets.
- For larger venues, specialized scanners may be needed to handle high volumes of scans.
- Some older venues or systems may rely on outdated 1D barcodes and lack QR support. But this is increasingly rare.
Apple provides guidance and resources to help venues setup proper scanners. But in general, most major venues and public events support Apple Wallet scans these days.
It’s rare, but if you ever run into a case where your Apple Wallet pass won’t scan, it may be because the venue hasn’t updated to supported hardware yet.
Using Passes On Apple Watch
In addition to iPhone, your Apple Wallet passes can be used on your Apple Watch. The process works the same way – just open the pass on your watch and hold the screen near the barcode scanner.
Apple Watch uses NFC (near field communication) technology to transmit the barcode when you hold it to the scanner. The watchdog chip inside the watch securely authenticates with the scanner before transmitting any data.
This allows for smooth, wireless pass scanning without even having to wake or unlock your watch. As soon as you hold your wrist near the scanner, your pass gets read.
One limitation is that NFC scanning may not work with the very largest encrypted QR codes used for airline boarding. For boarding passes, you’ll need to use your iPhone for the full-size barcode. But for most event tickets and other passes, your Apple Watch barcode will scan just fine.
Customizing Passes
Passes in Apple Wallet support customization through PassKit APIs and the PassKit Pass Configuration Utility.
As a developer or company creating passes, you can:
- Customize fields like event names, seat numbers, customer names, etc.
- Create不同的pass styles with logos, colors, etc.
- Set up barcode types and encryption.
- Configure authentication methods.
- Add support for Push Notifications when passes are updated.
This allows you to configure passes to perfectly match your specific needs. Passes can be dynamically generated to contain the latest up-to-date information for each customer.
The PassKit features make Apple Wallet a versatile platform, powerful beyond just tickets and boarding passes. Passes can include coupons, loyalty cards, hotel room keys, and more. Developers are continuing to find innovative uses for the technology.
Sharing Passes
Apple Wallet allows easy sharing of passes between iPhone users via text message, email, AirDrop or other methods.
When receiving a pass, you simply tap to add it to your Wallet – no installation needed. Passes can also be saved from Safari into Wallet.
This makes it convenient to distribute passes to a group of people. Organizers can send out all the event tickets at once rather than having to print individual physical copies.
Some key points around sharing Apple Wallet passes:
- Each recipient needs an iOS device with Apple Wallet to receive and use the passes.
- Passes are locked to the device they were originally sent to.
- For transferrability, passes must be reissued and resent to each new user.
- By default, passes can only be used by one person at a time. Access needs to be revoked before sending to someone new.
So there are some limitations compared to fully transferrable paper tickets. But overall digital passes are much more convenient for distributing and carrying for most use cases.
Troubleshooting Pass Issues
While Apple Wallet provides a smooth experience most of the time, you may occasionally encounter issues:
Pass won’t add
If you have trouble adding a pass to Wallet, try these steps:
- Make sure you are updated to the latest iOS/watchOS software.
- Restart your device.
- Check that you have an internet connection.
- Open the pass in Safari first, then try adding again.
- Check that the pass issuer allows Wallet access.
Pass won’t scan
If your pass won’t scan or work at the venue, try these tips:
- Make sure your device has a strong internet connection.
- Ensure you have power and that your screen is brightly lit.
- Delete and re-add the pass into Wallet.
- Manually refresh passes in Wallet before arrival.
- Display the barcode large on your screen and hold very still.
If issues continue, you may need to contact the pass issuer for support. They can look into any problems on their system’s end.
The Future of Digital Tickets
Apple Wallet provides a convenient solution for replacing physical tickets. But there is still room for improvement in the future:
- Wider support – More niche venues and events gradually adding scanner support.
- Better transferrability – Passes that can securely be sent and used by multiple people.
- New pass types – Expanding beyond tickets and boarding passes to keys, licenses, etc.
- Synchronization – Keeping passes updated across devices automatically.
- Sharing enhancements – Easy transfer of passes via third-party apps.
As technology improves, digital passes will only get more ubiquitous. The convenience of having tickets on your phone provides huge advantages over physical counterparts. Apple Wallet has led the charge in advancing mobile ticketing.
Conclusion
Apple Wallet provides a slick, convenient solution for using digital passes on iPhone and Apple Watch. It leverages barcode technology to allow quick scanning of tickets and boarding passes. Venues use compatible barcode scanners to read and validate the passes.
Encryption, one-time codes and authentication ensure security. Customizations allow flexible implementation across many different use cases. And easy sharing makes it simple to distribute passes to groups.
While the odd compatibility issue can arise, Apple Wallet is getting more universal all the time. The days of rummaging through your bag to find a crumpled ticket are disappearing!