Apple Wallet allows you to store digital versions of things like credit cards, boarding passes, and event tickets on your iPhone or Apple Watch. This provides a convenient way to keep all your important cards and passes in one place and easily accessible on your device. One common question people have is whether tickets stored in Apple Wallet can be transferred to someone else if you can no longer attend the event. The short answer is yes, tickets in Apple Wallet can be transferred in most cases, but the exact steps depend on the type of ticket and who originally issued it.
Transferring tickets you purchased
If you purchased tickets directly from the venue or organizer, then the transfer process will vary depending on their policies. Many major event ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster or AXS allow ticket transfers, but you need to do it through their website or app – you can’t directly transfer tickets between two Apple Wallets. You’ll need to access your ticket account, find the ticket you want to transfer, and follow the platform’s procedure for transferring it to another person. This usually involves entering the recipient’s name and email address so the ticket barcode can be assigned to them. There may be a transfer fee involved as well.
Once the ticket has been officially transferred to the other person, you will no longer have the valid barcode in your Apple Wallet. The recipient will need to add the ticket to their own Apple Wallet by downloading it from the ticket issuer’s app or website. You should remove the ticket from your Apple Wallet once the transfer is complete.
If the tickets were sold directly by the venue or organizer, they may have their own system for ticket transfers. This could be done through their website, by emailing their support team, or in person at their box office. There is usually a transfer fee. Like with major ticketing platforms, you can’t directly transfer the Apple Wallet ticket itself to someone else – formal ticket transfer processes must be followed.
Transferring tickets received from someone else
If you received a ticket to an event from the person who originally bought it, transferring that ticket yourself is more complicated. Since the ticket was never directly issued to you in the first place, most ticketing platforms do not allow recipients to formally transfer tickets.
In this case, your only option may be to send the Apple Wallet ticket file itself directly to the new recipient. This requires using AirDrop if they are nearby, or emailing the .pkpass file saved on your device. However, be aware that transferring an Apple Wallet ticket file like this usually violates the ticket issuer’s Terms of Service. The barcode is still technically assigned to your Apple Wallet, so admission may be denied at the gate if you are not present. The new recipient also can’t make changes like adding their contact info or changing seats.
Some ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster now allow recipients to accept transferred tickets and claim them to their own account. This ties the ticket officially to their account and Apple Wallet. But the platform must specifically support this capability – otherwise passing along the Apple Wallet file itself does not work as a formal transfer.
Transferring paper tickets
For traditional paper tickets, transferring them to someone else typically just involves physically handing over the tickets. There usually aren’t formal transfer procedures for paper tickets. However, some venues are starting to require paper tickets be registered to an individual upon first entry, so check their policies before promising a ticket to someone else.
If you received a paper ticket and added it to Apple Wallet using the Wallet app’s scanning feature, then technically the barcode is still tied specifically to your device. Transferring this type of ticket works the same as transferring an email ticket – you would need to send the Apple Wallet file directly to the recipient, but admission may be denied. The recipient cannot make changes to the digital ticket either. As with emailed tickets, paper tickets added to Apple Wallet are not meant to be transferred.
Steps to transfer tickets
Here is a summary of the steps involved in transferring tickets stored in Apple Wallet:
Tickets you purchased directly:
- Access your ticket account on the venue, organizer, or ticketing platform’s website or app.
- Find the ticket in your account and select the transfer option.
- Enter the recipient’s name and contact information.
- Pay any transfer fees required.
- The ticket barcode will be invalidated from your Apple Wallet automatically once transferred.
- Instruct the recipient to add the ticket to their own Apple Wallet by downloading it from the ticket issuer’s app or website.
- Remove the ticket from your Apple Wallet if it is still there.
Tickets received from someone else:
- Save the ticket file from Apple Wallet to your device storage or email it directly to the recipient.
- The recipient must add the .pkpass file to their own Apple Wallet.
- Be aware that the barcode may still be tied to your device and could result in denied admission if you previously activated it.
Paper tickets:
- Physically hand over the paper ticket to the recipient.
- If you added it to your Apple Wallet via scanning, email the .pkpass file to the recipient.
- The barcode may still be tied to your device, not the recipient’s.
Important things to check before transferring
Before transferring any tickets, it’s important to check a few things first:
- Read the official ticket issuer, venue, or organizer’s policy on ticket transfers. There may be restrictions or fees involved.
- Make sure the recipient’s contact information is up to date in their Apple Wallet account so the new ticket can be assigned properly.
- If transferring paper tickets, check whether they need to be registered to your name already. Some venues are requiring this upon first use now.
- Only transfer tickets via official processes when possible. Directly sending Apple Wallet ticket files is risky.
- Be clear with the recipient that Apple Wallet tickets must be transferred through the issuer, you cannot directly move them between iPhones or Apple Watches.
Following official ticket transfer procedures through the venue or ticketing platform provides the most seamless and secure experience. Avoid “incognito” Apple Wallet ticket transfers when you can.
Troubleshooting ticket transfers
Here are some troubleshooting tips if you run into problems when trying to transfer Apple Wallet tickets:
Ticket won’t download to recipient’s Apple Wallet:
- Make sure they have an Apple Wallet account set up on their device and are signed in.
- Confirm the ticket issuer has the recipient’s current email address and phone number.
- Contact the ticket issuer’s customer support for assistance adding the transferred ticket to their account and Apple Wallet.
Your Apple Wallet barcode still works after transferring:
- Manually remove the ticket from your Apple Wallet if you forgot to previously.
- Contact the ticket issuer to make sure the transfer fully invalidated your barcode.
- Do not attempt to use the ticket, as admission will most likely be denied.
Recipient cannot edit ticket details or seating info:
- Transferred tickets maintain the original owner’s details. Recipients cannot make changes.
- For modifications, the recipient must contact the ticket issuer and confirm they are now the owner.
- Avoid transferring tickets in Apple Wallet when possible for this reason.
Admission denied to the recipient:
- The barcode may still be tied to your Apple Wallet if you directly transferred the ticket file.
- Confirm the transfer fully completed through the official ticketing system.
- Bring the email confirmation of the transfer in case there are issues at entry.
Key takeaways
To summarize the key points about transferring Apple Wallet tickets:
- Tickets you purchased can be transferred through the venue or ticketing platform’s official system, but Apple Wallet files cannot be directly sent between users.
- Transferring tickets received from someone else is risky and may result in denied admission.
- Always follow official transfer procedures and policies when available.
- Recipients cannot make changes to transferred tickets still associated with the original owner.
- Check for any transfer restrictions or fees before promising tickets to someone else.
- Make sure the recipient’s contact info is up to date before transferring tickets to them.
While Apple Wallet provides a convenient central place to store tickets, recipients should avoid forwarding tickets directly to others through AirDrop or email. Formal transfer systems must be used when available to ensure a smooth experience and valid ticket barcodes. Carefully review the venue, organizer, or ticketing platform’s policies before transferring tickets from your Apple Wallet to another person.
Conclusion
Apple Wallet makes accessing tickets easy and convenient, but it also introduces some new considerations around transferring those tickets properly. Always use official transfer processes when available, and avoid directly sending Apple Wallet passes between users as much as possible. Recipients cannot make changes to tickets still associated with the original owner either. Review all ticket transfer restrictions and fees beforehand so there are no surprises. With some care given to following proper procedures, transferring tickets from Apple Wallet can be done successfully.