Introduction
Welcome to PassKit! This guide provides a quick, high-level overview of the process for creating your first Apple and Google Wallet passes. Follow these steps to get your program off the ground and understand the key considerations along the way.
For detailed instructions and advanced features, please visit help.PassKit.com.
The 5-Step Process: An Overview
Creating your digital pass program can be broken down into five simple stages.
1.Preparation & Setup
Define your goals, gather your assets, and get your certificates.
2. Pass Design
Create a reusable visual template in the PassKit Portal.
3. Data Integration
Connect your customer data to your pass template.
4. Distribution
Get the passes into your customers' wallets.
5. Updates & Management
Keep passes current and relevant.
Step 1: Preparation & Setup
Goal
Before you design anything, you need a clear plan. This is the most crucial step to ensure a smooth program launch.
Key Questions to Ask Yourself
What is the purpose of this pass? (e.g., loyalty card, coupon, event ticket, membership pass). The pass type determines the layout and available features.
What information will be static? (e.g., your company name, website, brand colors).
What information will be dynamic? (e.g., the customer's name, loyalty number, points balance, or a unique code).
Assets to Prepare
Branding: Your company logo (for both light and dark backgrounds) and a background image or color. Apple and Google have specific image size requirements; the PassKit Portal will guide you.
Content: Text for your pass's front and back, including fields for dynamic data.
Icons: A small icon for your pass that will appear on the lock screen and in the Wallet app.
What You Need to Get Started
For Apple Wallet: You must have an Apple Developer account. This is a requirement from Apple to obtain a "Pass Type ID Certificate" used to digitally sign and authenticate your passes. Without this, your passes cannot be added to Apple Wallet. You will upload this certificate to your PassKit account.
For Google Wallet: You do not need to create a Google developer account. PassKit handles the certificates and all the complex security management for you.
How PassKit Helps
While you need to acquire the Apple certificate yourself, PassKit simplifies the process by handling all the complex backend management, hosting, and push notifications for both Apple and Google Wallet. This saves you from having to build and maintain your own pass server.
Step 2: Designing Your Pass Template
Goal
Create a reusable template that defines the look and feel of all your passes.
How to do it:
Log in to the PassKit Portal.
Select the type of pass you want to create (e.g., Loyalty, Coupon).
Use the visual Pass Designer to upload your assets and define your fields.
Key Design Elements:
Pass Type: Choose the correct type from the start.
Appearance: Upload your logo, icon and set your colors.
Fields: Define the labels and placeholder values for your data. For example, a label
Name:with a placeholder field like${person.forename}. The ${} denote a dynamic field that will be replaced with real customer data later.Barcode: Choose the barcode format (QR, Code 128, etc.). This is how the pass will be scanned at the point of sale.
Step 3: Data Integration
Goal
Turn your empty pass template into personalized passes for each of your customers.
How to do it
Manual Creation: For testing or one-off passes, you can manually fill in the fields directly in the PassKit Portal.
Bulk Import: Have an existing customer list in a spreadsheet? Use a CSV file to quickly create a batch of passes.
API (Recommended for Programs): The most powerful and scalable method. Your system (e.g., your CRM, POS, or website) sends customer data to our API. PassKit then automatically generates a unique pass with that data.
No-Code Integrations: Connect PassKit to your applications using Zapier or Make to automate pass creation without writing any code.
Step 4: Distribution
Goal
Get the passes into your customers' wallets easily and effectively.
How to do it
Email & SMS: Embed the Pass URLs into an email or text message for a familiar customer experience.
QR Codes: Place a QR code on a physical sign, receipt, or website.
Step 5: Updates & Management
Goal
A digital pass isn't static. It's a real-time communication channel.
How to do it
Real-Time Updates: When you update a field on a pass (e.g., a points balance changes, or a flight gate is updated), PassKit uses push notifications to instantly update the pass on the user's phone. This is a silent notification, meaning the user doesn't get a banner notification unless you choose to send one.
Data Synchronization: Updates are handled through our API, ensuring your customer data is always in sync with what's on their wallet pass.
Next Steps: Start Building!
You now understand the process. The best way to learn is to jump in.
1. Log in to the PassKit Portal: Go to app.passkit.com
2. Create Your First Template: Use the visual designer to start building.
3. Find More Help:
We're confident you have everything you need to begin your journey with digital wallet passes!