The Complete Guide: How to Add Your Library Card to Apple Wallet (Even When Your Library Doesn’t Support It)

Your goal is straightforward: you want to learn how to add your library card to Apple Wallet. You’re trying to carry fewer physical cards and enjoy the ease of having everything on your iPhone. We understand completely. The good news is that this is definitely possible. While some libraries provide a direct, official way to add your card, there’s also a very effective and universal solution that works for almost any library card. This guide will show you both approaches, so you can finally leave that plastic card at home.

The advantage is obvious: convenience. It means carrying one less card, having one less thing to lose, and checking out books or using library services more quickly. After reading this article, you’ll have a clear, step-by-step plan to turn your library card digital.

Direct Wallet Integration?

So, can you simply open Apple Wallet and add your library card the same way you would add a credit card? The quick answer is: most of the time, no. It’s helpful to understand why, as this explains the solutions we’ll cover next. Apple Wallet manages different types of “cards” in completely different ways.

Apple’s system is mainly designed around two technologies: NFC for payments and barcodes/QR codes for passes.

• Payment Cards: These are your credit and debit cards (Visa, Amex, etc.). They use Near Field Communication (NFC) for safe, contactless payments. Adding them requires a very secure process, often including verification through your bank’s app.
• Transit Cards: These cards for public transportation also frequently use NFC for quick tap-and-go access at subway turnstiles.
• Passes: This is a large category that includes boarding passes, event tickets, loyalty cards, coupons, and, most importantly for us, membership cards like your library card. These passes usually depend on a scannable 2D barcode or QR code for identification.

Your library card fits into the “Passes” category. For a library to provide a direct “Add to Apple Wallet” button, its developers must use Apple’s WalletKit API to create and share a digital version of the card. While this is becoming more popular, adoption among public libraries is still increasing and is nowhere near universal. This is why a direct method might not be available for your specific library yet.

The Official App Method

Before trying workarounds, you should always look for the official, supported method first. It’s the cleanest and easiest solution if your library provides it. This process almost always happens within your library’s official mobile app, not within Apple Wallet itself.

Here is the step-by-step process to check for and use the official method.

1. Download and Log In: Find your public library’s official mobile app on the App Store. Download it and log in using your library card number and PIN or password. If you’re already using an app like OverDrive or Libby, check your library’s website to see if they have their own branded app, as this is where the feature is most likely to be found.

2. Go to Your Account: Once logged in, look around to find your account details. This section is often called “My Account,” “Membership Card,” “Profile,” or may simply be shown with a card icon.

3. Look for the Wallet Button: This is the important step. Search the screen for a button that says “Add to Apple Wallet.” It will almost always show the recognizable Apple Wallet logo. We’ve often found this hidden under a “Digital Card” or “Membership Details” menu, so you may need to tap one level deeper. If you see this button, you’re lucky.

4. Follow the On-Screen Instructions: Tap the “Add to Apple Wallet” button. Your iPhone will show a preview of your digital library card. It will display your name, library card number, and a barcode. Check the details and tap “Add” in the upper-right corner. The pass will be immediately added to your Wallet app.

If you look through your library’s app and cannot find this button anywhere, don’t worry. This is very normal. It simply means your library hasn’t added this feature yet, and you should move on to the universal workaround below.

The Universal Workaround Method

This is the main part of our guide and the solution that will work for most users. If your library doesn’t have an “Add to Apple Wallet” button, you can manually create a digital pass yourself. This process uses a third-party app to convert the barcode on your physical library card into a digital pass that Apple Wallet can store and display. It’s safe, effective, and takes only a few minutes.

This method allows you to digitize not just your library card, but virtually any barcode-based membership or loyalty card you carry.

What You’ll Need

To get started, you only need three things:
* Your iPhone
* Your physical library card with a visible barcode
* A free third-party wallet pass creator app

We recommend using a trustworthy, highly-rated app for this process. Pass2U Wallet is an excellent choice because it’s free for basic use, has a simple interface, and is widely trusted. WalletPasses is another good alternative. For this tutorial, we will use Pass2U Wallet as the example.

How to Add Barcode to Wallet

Follow these steps carefully to create a perfect digital copy of your library card. This is the most reliable way to add qr code or barcode to apple wallet when an official option isn’t available.

1. Download Pass2U Wallet: Go to the App Store, search for “Pass2U Wallet,” and download the free app.

2. Scan Your Physical Card’s Barcode: Open the Pass2U app. You may be asked to allow camera access; say yes. Tap the plus (+) icon to start creating a new pass. The app will likely show you several options. Choose the option to “Scan barcode on a card.” Point your iPhone’s camera at the barcode on your physical library card. The app should recognize and capture it automatically.

3. Select the Correct Barcode Type: This is the most important detail for making sure the pass works at the library. After scanning, the app will ask you to confirm the barcode format. Most library cards use either Code 128 or Code 39. Look for any small print near the barcode on your card; sometimes it tells you the format. If not, select Code 128 first, as it is the most common format used for library systems. If that doesn’t work during testing at the library, you can come back and edit the pass to Code 39. The app may also offer a QR code option, but for library cards, a standard barcode is almost always the right choice.

4. Customize Your Pass: Now you get to make the pass look official. The app will take you to a template screen. Here you can enter key information to make your pass easily identifiable.

   • Pass Name: Give it a clear name, like “Public Library Card” or “City Library.”
   • Cardholder Name: Add your name as it appears on the card.
   • Customization: Most apps let you choose colors for the text and background. You can even add your library’s logo if you can find it online and save it to your phone. Taking a moment to customize it makes the pass feel more integrated and easier to spot in your Wallet.

5. Generate and Add to Wallet: Once you’ve filled in the details and customized the appearance, look for a “Done” or “Add” button, usually in the top-right corner of the screen. Tapping this will create the final pass. The app will then show the finished product and present you with the official Apple Wallet “Add” screen. Tap “Add” one last time, and your newly created library card pass will appear in your Apple Wallet, ready for use.

Apple Wallet’s Full Scope

Understanding how to add your library card opens the door to understanding the broader capabilities of Apple Wallet. The process you just learned is a template for digitizing a huge portion of your physical wallet. Let’s clarify what else is possible and address some common related questions.

What Cards Can Be Added?

So, what cards can you add to apple wallet in total? The list is extensive and falls into a few main categories. Knowing these helps you understand what to expect from the app.

• Payment Cards: Credit and debit cards from supported banks.
• Transit Cards: For subways and buses in many major cities.
• Keys: Digital car keys from select manufacturers, home keys with compatible smart locks, and hotel room keys from participating chains.
• Passes: This is the biggest and most flexible category.
  • Event Tickets (concerts, movies)
  • Boarding Passes (airlines)
  • Loyalty Cards (coffee shops, retailers)
  • Membership Cards (gyms, museums, libraries)
  • Vaccination Records (in some regions)

The key takeaway is that any “Pass” that relies on a barcode or QR code can almost always be added using the manual workaround (Method 2) if it doesn’t have official support.

Compared to Membership Cards

You might be wondering if this same process works for other memberships. For instance, how do you add costco card to apple wallet or add bj’s card to apple wallet?

The answer is that the process is exactly the same as the library card workaround. Both Costco and BJ’s Wholesale Club use barcode-based membership cards for entry and checkout. Neither company currently offers a direct “Add to Apple Wallet” button in their apps.

Therefore, to add these cards, you would follow Method 2 precisely:
1. Open Pass2U Wallet (or a similar app).
2. Scan the barcode on your Costco or BJ’s card.
3. Choose the correct barcode format (likely Code 128).
4. Customize the pass with the store’s name and your membership details.
5. Add it to Apple Wallet.

This demonstrates the power of the workaround method. It’s not just a one-off trick for your library card; it’s a universal skill for decluttering your wallet from all non-payment plastic cards.

Membership vs. Payment

This brings us to a very common point of confusion. A user might ask, does bj’s take apple pay? This question highlights the critical difference between having a membership pass in your Wallet and making a payment with your Wallet.

• Adding a BJ’s card to Apple Wallet (via the workaround) allows the cashier to scan your membership barcode from your phone screen. It only identifies you as a member.
• “Taking Apple Pay” means the store has NFC-enabled payment terminals that allow you to pay for your goods using a credit or debit card stored in your Apple Wallet.

These are two separate functions that can both happen at the same register. You can have the cashier scan your BJ’s membership pass from your Wallet, and then double-click the side button to activate Apple Pay and pay for your purchase. One is for identification (barcode scan), the other is for payment (NFC tap).

This table clarifies the distinction:

Troubleshooting & Pro Tips

You’ve successfully added your card to Apple Wallet. Now, let’s make sure it works perfectly when you get to the library. Here are some pro tips and solutions to common issues, based on our real-world experience.

• Problem: The barcode won’t scan at the library.

  • Solution 1: Turn up your screen brightness to maximum. This is the single most common and effective fix. Scanners need a bright, clear image to read, and an auto-dimmed screen is often the problem.
  • Solution 2: Make sure your screen is clean. A smudge or fingerprint directly over the barcode can interfere with the scanner’s ability to read it. Give it a quick wipe.
  • Solution 3: You may have selected the wrong barcode format. If the scanner simply refuses to read the code, it’s possible you chose Code 128 when your card is actually Code 39 (or vice-versa). Open Pass2U, edit the pass, and try the other common format.

• Problem: I don’t know my library card number.

  • Solution: The full number is almost always printed directly below the barcode on your physical card. If your card is worn or you’ve lost it, you can typically find the number by logging into your account on the library’s website.

• Problem: What about Libby? Can I add libby library card to apple wallet?

  • Solution: This is a very popular question. As of our latest review, the Libby app by OverDrive does not have a native “Add to Apple Wallet” feature. Libby is designed to manage your digital loans, not serve as a digital version of your physical card for in-person use. Therefore, to get the card you use with Libby into your Apple Wallet, you must use the universal workaround (Method 2) with your physical library card.

From our experience, we’ve also found that some older, flatbed library scanners (the kind embedded in the countertop) can have more trouble reading a phone screen than modern, handheld scanners. If your card fails to scan on a flatbed scanner, don’t be afraid to ask the librarian if they can use their handheld scanner instead. They are often much more forgiving.

Your Upgraded Digital Wallet

By following this guide, you have successfully tackled the process of adding library card to apple wallet. You’ve learned the difference between the simple, official method and the powerful, universal workaround that puts you in control.

Whether your library’s app provided a direct link or you used a creator app like Pass2U to manually digitize your card’s barcode, the result is the same: a more convenient, streamlined library experience. You now have your library card right alongside your boarding passes and payment cards, ready at a moment’s notice.

This process not only solves your immediate problem but also equips you with the knowledge to digitize nearly any membership card you own. Enjoy the freedom of a lighter, more organized digital life.