If you’re an iPhone user and have recently purchased tickets through Ticketmaster, you may have noticed that the tickets don’t automatically get added to your Apple Wallet like some other types of passes. There are a few reasons why this integration is not enabled by default.
Ticketmaster and Apple Have Not Fully Integrated Their Systems
The main reason your Ticketmaster tickets aren’t automatically showing up in your Apple Wallet is simply because Ticketmaster has not fully integrated their systems with Apple Wallet yet. They have the capability to generate Apple Wallet passes, but it’s not an automatic part of the ticket buying process. You usually have to take extra steps to add Ticketmaster tickets to your Apple Wallet manually after receiving a link or QR code.
Partners like airlines and hotels have build deep integration with Apple Wallet so passes get automatically pushed to your devices when you make a booking. Ticketmaster has not invested as heavily in this type of integration, likely due to the large variety of venues and events they work with.
Tickets Are Often Transferred Between Fans
Another reason for the lack of deep Apple Wallet integration is that event tickets are frequently transferred between different fans up until the day of the event. If tickets were automatically added to the original purchaser’s Apple Wallet, it would create problems when transferring tickets to someone else.
The full lifecycle of an event ticket from initial sale to being scanned at the venue gate is much more complex than other Apple Wallet passes like boarding passes. Automatic Apple Wallet integration works for things tied directly to a person, but is less feasible for transferrable items like event tickets.
Ticketing Platforms Have Existing Mobile Ticket Technology
Many ticketing platforms and venues have their own apps and mobile ticket displaying technology which they invested in before Apple Wallet existed. Ticketmaster and others may not see enough incentive to overhaul their apps and ticket delivery systems to focus on Apple Wallet when they already have proprietary mobile ticketing technology.
For example, Ticketmaster already allows users to access their tickets through their app using a barcode or QR code. That provides a decent mobile ticket experience without having to rebuild around Apple Wallet. Migrating those systems to rely more on Apple Wallet would require a major investment.
Apple Wallet Has Limited Use Cases for Certain Events
Sports and music events taking place in large venues often require more than just a barcode for gate entry. There may be need for seat locations, concession access, and other features not easy to implement in Apple Wallet. For complex events, a purpose-built app may provide greater ability to integrate things like replenishable concession balances and seat upgrades.
Apple Wallet focuses mainly on storing ticket barcodes, which covers basic access but not always the full range of features venues want to offer during an event. That makes it less appealing compared to a custom stadium app that gives fuller in-event experiences.
Integration Requires Ongoing Developer Resources
Building out robust Apple Wallet integration requires significant upfront development, but also ongoing resources to maintain compatibility. Each iOS update could potentially require app updates to keep Apple Wallet features working properly. That ongoing cost may not provide enough benefit compared to focusing developer resources on other projects.
Third party ticketing platforms have limited development budgets, so investing heavily in Apple Wallet integration means fewer resources for other features. The costs of maintaining that integration over time has likely not been deemed worth the benefits for many ticketing companies.
Privacy and Security Concerns
There may also be privacy and security factors making Ticketmaster hesitant to push tickets directly into Apple Wallet automatically. Users have to opt-in to airline or hotel passes, but event tickets are often bought as gifts or for groups. Automating Apple Wallet delivery could expose personal information without affirmative consent.
Event venues also prize their ticket branding and security features which can’t always be fully replicated in Apple Wallet. Wide use of in-app and print-at-home tickets allows greater design customization and security control compared to more generic Apple Wallet passes.
How to Add Ticketmaster Tickets to Apple Wallet Manually
Even though Ticketmaster tickets aren’t automatically added to your Apple Wallet, you can still manually add many event tickets yourself in a few quick steps:
- Open your Ticketmaster account and find the order with the tickets.
- Click on the ticket delivery option for each ticket.
- Choose the “Add to Apple Wallet” option if available.
- Follow the prompts to download the pass file or open it in the Apple Wallet app.
- The Ticketmaster ticket barcode will now appear in your Apple Wallet!
This manual method allows you to still get tickets into your Apple Wallet even though integration is not automatic. With mobile tickets in your Wallet, you won’t have to juggle physical tickets and can breeze through event admission lines.
Apple Wallet Integration Will Likely Improve Over Time
While Ticketmaster’s Apple Wallet integration is not seamless yet, it will likely continue to expand and improve over time as technology progresses. Fan interest in mobile ticketing will also encourage further development.
It takes significant investment for large ticketing platforms to overhaul their apps and systems around Apple Wallet. But the convenience it provides iPhone users gives incentive for Ticketmaster and others to expand support over the coming years.
Ticketmaster has already begun rolling out limited Apple Wallet integration in various venues, indicating that broader support could be on the horizon. As more fans use iPhones and expect mobile wallet functionality, ticketing companies will adapt to meet that demand.
So while you may be disappointed your Ticketmaster tickets aren’t automatically showing up in your Apple Wallet yet, expanded integration and convenience likely isn’t too far away as mobile technology continues to evolve.