Wallet passes have become an essential tool for businesses to engage with their customers. These digital passes can store information like boarding passes, loyalty cards, coupons, event tickets, and more.

One of the most powerful features of wallet passes is their ability to be updated dynamically, ensuring users always have the most current information. Unlike a paper boarding pass once it’s been printed, a plastic membership card once it’s been delivered, or an email once it’s been sent, wallet passes can be dynamically updated after they’ve been issued. Think of it like updating a website after it’s been published—except with PassKit, it’s much easier and more efficient.

This dynamic capability allows businesses to keep users informed in real-time, whether it’s a gate change at the airport, an updated coupon expiration date, or a refreshed loyalty points balance. This article will provide a thorough introduction to the concept of updating wallet passes, explaining how it works, why it’s important, and how it differs from other communication methods like SMS.

Updating a wallet pass means modifying the information displayed on the pass after it has been issued to a user. This could include changes to details like event times, gate numbers, loyalty points, coupon expiration dates, or any other dynamic data.

Unlike static passes, which remain unchanged once added to a wallet, updated passes ensure users always have access to the latest information.

For example:

These updates are delivered directly to the user’s device, ensuring they are informed in real-time without needing to manually check for changes.

Wallet passes can be updated in two primary ways:

Manual updates are performed by an administrator or team member through the PassKit Portal. This method is useful for making one-off changes or corrections to a pass. For example, if a customer contacts support to report an issue with their pass, the support team can manually update the pass to resolve the problem.

Automatic updates occur when data changes in your system and is pushed to the pass via an integration. For instance, if your loyalty program is connected to your wallet pass system, any changes to a user’s points balance will automatically trigger an update to their loyalty pass. This ensures the pass always reflects the most accurate information without requiring manual intervention.

Wallet pass updates are delivered to users through two main mechanisms:

When a pass is updated, a push notification is sent to the user’s device. For iPhone users, this push can also trigger a lock screen notification to alert the user that their pass has been updated and prompts them to view the changes.

For example, if a flight gate changes, the user will receive a notification saying, “Your gate is now B12".

Users can also manually refresh their passes by pulling down on the back of the pass in their wallet. This action triggers the device to check for updates and download any new information. This is useful for users who want to ensure they have the latest data before using their pass.

Updating wallet passes offers several key benefits:

By keeping passes up to date, you ensure users always have the most accurate information.

Dynamic updates make the user experience more seamless and convenient. Users don’t need to worry about outdated information or manually checking for changes.

Updated passes keep your brand top-of-mind. For example, a loyalty pass that updates with new points or rewards encourages users to engage with your business more frequently.

By proactively updating passes, you can reduce the number of support requests from users who might otherwise contact you about outdated or incorrect information.

While both wallet pass updates and SMS messages are used to communicate with users, they serve different purposes and have distinct advantages:

These are designed to inform the pass holder that a value on their pass has changed. For example, a gate number on a boarding pass, a balance on a loyalty card, or an expiration date on a coupon. The focus is on keeping the pass itself up to date, not on sending a message.

SMS is ideal for sending timely, standalone messages that may require a response or action from the user. For example, “Your appointment is confirmed for 3 PM. Reply YES to confirm or NO to reschedule.” SMS is about direct communication and often encourages a reply.

Delivered directly to the user’s wallet app via push notifications or pull-to-refresh. The updated information is stored within the pass itself, making it easy for users to access.

Sent as text messages to the user’s phone. These messages are separate from the wallet pass and may require the user to take additional action, such as clicking a link or opening an app.

To make the most of wallet pass updates, follow these best practices:

Only update passes when there’s meaningful information to share. Overloading users with unnecessary updates can lead to frustration.

When sending push notifications, ensure the message is clear and actionable. For example, “Your gate has changed to B12” is more helpful than “Your pass has been updated.”

Use integrations to automate updates wherever possible. This reduces manual effort and ensures updates are delivered in real-time.

Before rolling out updates to all users, test them to ensure they display correctly and trigger the appropriate notifications.

Track how often passes are updated and how users interact with them. Use this data to refine your update strategy.

Updating wallet passes is a powerful way to keep users informed and engaged with your brand. By leveraging manual and automatic updates, you can ensure your passes always reflect the latest information, providing a seamless and convenient experience for your customers. Unlike SMS messages, wallet pass updates are integrated, dynamic, and visually rich, making them a superior choice for delivering important updates.

Whether you’re managing boarding passes, loyalty cards, or event tickets, keeping your passes up to date is essential for maintaining a positive user experience and driving ongoing engagement. If you haven’t already, explore the update capabilities of your wallet pass system and start delivering real-time value to your users today!