Apple is preparing a notable upgrade to its Wallet app, one that could change how millions of iPhone users manage tickets, memberships, and gift cards.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company is working on a new feature called “Create a Pass” for its upcoming iOS 27. The tool will allow users to build their own digital passes directly inside the Wallet app, something that has not been possible until now.
Currently, Wallet largely depends on third-party apps to supply compatible passes. But many businesses, especially smaller ones, still rely on QR codes, PDFs, or standalone apps that do not integrate with Apple’s system. The new feature is designed to bridge that gap.
People familiar with the plans told Bloomberg that users will be able to scan a QR code using their iPhone camera and instantly convert it into a Wallet pass. This could be useful for gym memberships, concert tickets, or store cards that currently sit outside Apple’s ecosystem.
In test versions of iOS 27, users can access the tool via the “+” button in Wallet, the same place used to add new cards. The interface reportedly prompts users to “create passes for tickets, memberships, gift cards and more,” Bloomberg reported. Users can either scan an existing code or create a pass from scratch if no QR code is available.
Customization comes built-in
Apple is testing three pass templates, each with its own color coding.
Standard passes, the catch-all option, come in orange. Membership passes, aimed at recurring access scenarios like gym check-ins, are blue. Event passes, designed for concerts, sports matches, and film screenings, are dressed in purple. Each template supports customization of images, text fields, colors, and overall style.
The feature was first spotted in code that surfaced online in April, before Bloomberg’s reporting this week fleshed out the full picture. Apple has not officially confirmed the feature.
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A strategic shift for Cupertino
This isn’t just about convenience; it’s a major pivot in Apple’s strategy. For over a decade, Apple relied on a framework called PassKit, hoping every business would build its own official Wallet integration. While many did, a vast majority of small businesses didn’t have the time or the developers to make it happen.
By letting users create their own passes, Apple is no longer waiting for the world to catch up. They are also playing a bit of catch-up themselves, as Google’s Wallet app for Android has offered a similar custom pass feature since 2024.
The Create a Pass tool is just one slice of what is expected to be a massive overhaul for the iPhone. When Apple takes the stage at the WWDC this June, iOS 27 is expected to be dominated by heavy-hitting AI upgrades, including a smarter Siri and new Visual Intelligence features for the camera.
Also read: Apple may drop iOS 27 support for the iPhone 11 lineup and 2020 iPhone SE, potentially leaving those devices without the next major update.
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