Get Rid of Plastic Cards
That overstuffed, worn-out physical wallet is old-fashioned. It’s bulky, messy, and annoying to search through at the store checkout. Your iPhone, a device you already carry everywhere, is the perfect answer. Learning how to add membership cards to Apple Wallet makes your life easier, clears out your pockets, and makes getting your loyalty points and benefits faster than ever.
The Quick Answer
Yes, you can definitely add loyalty cards to Apple Wallet, and it’s easier than you might think. There are two main ways to turn your card collection digital. The first is the direct way, where a store’s app or website has a built-in feature to send the card to your Wallet. The second is a smart trick using a third-party app, which lets you turn almost any card with a barcode into a digital version. We’ll show you both methods step by step.
Key Digital Benefits
Switching from plastic to digital isn’t just about being neat; it’s about making your entire shopping experience better. The benefits are immediate and useful.
- Convenience: Your membership cards are always with you, safely stored on your iPhone and Apple Watch. You’ll never have that scary moment at the register when you realize you left the right card at home.
- Speed: Checking out becomes easy. Instead of searching for a physical card, you just double-click the side button on your iPhone and show it to the scanner. It’s faster for you and the people waiting behind you.
- Organization: All your store cards, loyalty cards, and membership passes are neatly organized in one digital place. No more digging through a messy stack of plastic to find your grocery store rewards card.
- Smart Features: Apple Wallet is intelligent. When you turn on location services for a pass, it can automatically show up on your lock screen when you arrive at the matching store or airport. Your coffee shop card pops up when you walk in the door, ready to be scanned.
The move toward digital wallets is more than a trend; it’s a big change in how people shop. According to a 2023 report by Juniper Research, the number of mobile wallet users will likely go over 5.2 billion worldwide by 2026. A growing majority of these users are using their digital wallets for more than just payments, making the ability to add reward cards to Apple Wallet an important modern skill.
The Official Method
The easiest way to add membership cards to Apple Wallet is when the business itself provides direct support. Many major retailers, airlines, and service providers have built this feature into their digital system, making the process smooth. This official method ensures your pass is always up-to-date with your point balance or membership status if the retailer supports live updates. Here are the three common ways to do it.
Through a Retailer’s App
This is the most common and reliable official method. Companies like Starbucks, Walgreens, Sephora, and many airlines build an “Add to Apple Wallet” function directly into their iOS apps. It’s a clear sign that they fully support the feature. We find this to be the best way to get a dynamic pass that updates automatically.
Here is the step-by-step process we use:
- Download the retailer’s official app from the App Store if you haven’t already.
- Open the app and sign in to your rewards or membership account. This step is important, as the app needs to access your specific card details.
- Go to the section of the app that shows your membership card, loyalty points, or account information. This is often labeled “Card,” “Account,” “Rewards,” or found under a profile icon.
- Look for a button or link that clearly says “Add to Apple Wallet.” It’s often a black button with the Apple Wallet logo. This is the visual sign you’re looking for.
- Tap this button. You will see a preview of the pass, showing your name, member number, and a barcode or QR code.
- Tap “Add” in the top-right corner of the screen. The pass will be added, and you’ll automatically go to your Apple Wallet to see it in its new home.
This process is designed to be easy. The transition from the retailer’s app to the Wallet app is smooth, confirming that this is the most solid way to add membership cards to Apple Wallet.
From an Email or Website
Sometimes, the chance to add a card to Apple Wallet comes right after you sign up for a program. Keep an eye on your confirmation emails or the final page of a web-based sign-up form.
The process is even simpler than using an app. When you open the email or webpage on your iPhone, you’ll see a link or button, often identical to the one found in apps. Tapping this “Add to Apple Wallet” link will directly create the pass preview on your screen. Just tap “Add,” and the card is instantly stored in your Wallet. This is also common for one-time passes like event tickets or airline boarding passes.
Scanning a QR Code
A third official method involves scanning a code with your iPhone’s camera. Some businesses, particularly for events or in-store promotions, will show a QR code on a screen, a flyer, or a printed receipt.
To use this method, simply open the Camera app on your iPhone and point it at the QR code. You don’t need to take a picture; the camera will automatically recognize the code and a notification banner will appear on your screen. Tap the notification, and it will take you to a Safari webpage or directly to the pass-creation screen. From there, you just tap “Add” to save the pass to your Wallet. This is an efficient way to add a card to Apple Wallet without needing to download a full application.
The Ultimate Workaround
What happens when you open your favorite local shop’s app or log into your gym’s website and find there’s no “Add to Apple Wallet” button? This is a common frustration, but it doesn’t mean you’re stuck carrying the plastic. There is an incredibly effective workaround that allows you to turn almost any card with a barcode into a digital version.
The Support Challenge
The ability to add a card to Apple Wallet directly isn’t just an Apple feature; the business or retailer must actively choose to set it up. This involves some development work on their end to create a pass that can communicate with the Wallet app. Many smaller businesses, older loyalty programs, or companies that haven’t focused on mobile integration simply haven’t enabled this native feature. This is why your library card, local hardware store card, or older gym membership often can’t be added directly.
The Third-Party Solution
The solution is to use an intermediary app to create the digital pass for you. These apps act as a bridge. You use them to scan the barcode from your physical card, and the app then creates a compatible Apple Wallet pass from that information. This new pass, which contains a perfect digital copy of your barcode, can then be added to your Apple Wallet with a single tap.
This method transforms your Apple Wallet from a container for a few supported cards into a comprehensive digital replacement for your entire physical wallet. It’s the key to learning how to add store cards to Apple Wallet, even when the store doesn’t officially support it. For this, you’ll want to use one of the best loyalty card apps for iPhone.
Guide to Using a Third-Party App
We’ll walk you through the exact process we use with Stocard, one of the most popular and user-friendly apps for this task. The steps are very similar across other loyalty card apps for iPhone as well.
- Download a reputable app from the App Store. Stocard and Pass2U Wallet are our top recommendations. For this guide, we’ll use Stocard.
- Open the app. You may be asked to create an account, which can be useful for backing up your cards.
- Tap the ‘+’ (plus) button to add a new card. This is usually located prominently on the main screen.
- Search for your retailer. Stocard has a massive database of thousands of businesses, from major supermarkets to local coffee shops. Select the correct one. If you can’t find your specific store, you can choose “Other Card.”
- Scan the barcode. The app will open your iPhone’s camera. Position the barcode from your physical membership card within the designated frame on the screen. The app will capture the number automatically and with remarkable accuracy. If the scan fails for any reason (e.g., a worn-out barcode), you can also enter the number manually.
- Find the share or more option. Once the card is saved within the Stocard app, view the card and look for an options menu. This is often represented by three dots (‘…’) in the corner or a share icon.
- Select “Add to Apple Wallet.” Tapping this option will trigger the familiar Apple Wallet interface. You’ll see a preview of the pass the app has just created for you, complete with the store’s name and your scannable barcode.
- Tap “Add” in the top-right corner. That’s it. The card you just scanned is now a permanent, scannable pass living inside your Apple Wallet, right alongside your official passes and credit cards.
This simple but powerful method empowers you to add nearly any membership card to Apple Wallet, finally achieving the goal of a truly minimalist wallet.
Example: The Safeway Card
To show you just how effective the workaround method is, let’s apply it to a real-world, highly requested example: the Safeway Club Card. Many shoppers want to know how to add their Safeway card to Apple Wallet for easy access at checkout, but run into a common roadblock.
The Safeway Challenge
As of our latest review in 2025, the official Safeway mobile app does not provide a direct “Add to Apple Wallet” button for its loyalty card. When you view your card in their app, it displays a barcode, but there is no native function to export it to your iPhone’s Wallet. This is a perfect scenario where a third-party app is not just a convenience, but a necessity. Trying to add the Safeway card to Apple Wallet directly will only lead to frustration.
A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
We will now walk through exactly how to add your Safeway card to Apple Wallet using the Stocard app. This process will work for other Albertsons-owned grocery stores as well, such as Vons or Pavilions.
- First, have your Safeway card information ready. You can either use your physical plastic card or open the Safeway app and navigate to the Club Card screen to view your barcode and member number.
- Open the Stocard app on your iPhone.
- Tap the large ‘+’ sign to begin adding a new card.
- In the search bar at the top, type “Safeway” and select it from the list of results.
- The app will now activate your camera, ready to scan. If you have your physical card, simply point the camera at the barcode until it captures the number.
- Alternatively, if you are using the Safeway app on another device or have a screenshot of the barcode, you can choose the option to enter the number manually. Type in the number printed below the barcode on your card.
- Once the number is captured, Stocard will create a digital version of your Safeway card within its own interface. Tap on this newly created card.
- Look for the three dots (‘…’) in the top-right corner of the screen and tap them. This opens the card’s menu.
- From the menu, select “Add to Apple Wallet.”
- An official-looking Apple Wallet pass for your Safeway card will appear. It will have the Safeway logo and a scannable barcode. Tap “Add” in the top-right corner.
Your Safeway card is now successfully stored in Apple Wallet. The next time you’re at the checkout, you can simply bring up this pass and have the cashier or self-checkout scanner read the barcode. It works perfectly.
The Best Loyalty Card Apps
Choosing the right third-party app is key to successfully turning unsupported cards into digital versions. While many apps exist, they are not all created equal. A good app should be simple, reliable, and respectful of your privacy. Here’s a comparison of the best loyalty and rewards card apps for iPhone that we recommend.
What to Look For
Before downloading, consider these key criteria:
- Ease of Use: The app should have a clean interface and make the process of scanning and adding cards intuitive.
- Large Retailer Database: A comprehensive list of pre-configured retailers makes adding cards faster and ensures logos and colors are correct.
- Apple Watch Support: The ability to easily access your cards on your Apple Watch is a huge convenience.
- Privacy Policy: You are scanning sensitive information. Ensure the app has a clear privacy policy that explains how your data is handled.
Our Top Picks for 2025
Based on our testing and experience, these three apps stand out as the best choices for managing your loyalty cards and getting them into Apple Wallet.
| App Name | Best For | Key Feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stocard | Overall Use | An enormous, crowd-sourced database of retailers and an incredibly simple, fast user interface for scanning and adding cards. | Free |
| Pass2U Wallet | Customization | Allows you to create custom passes from photos or PDFs, and offers advanced templates for creating your own pass designs from scratch. | Free (with optional Pro features) |
| KeyRing | Shoppers | Integrates weekly circulars, coupons, and shopping lists directly linked to the loyalty cards you have stored in the app. | Free |
For most users, Stocard is the perfect starting point. Its simplicity and effectiveness make it our primary recommendation. However, if you have a card without a barcode or want more control over the look of your pass, Pass2U Wallet is an excellent and powerful alternative. KeyRing is a great choice for dedicated bargain hunters who want to combine their loyalty cards with their shopping planning.
Wallet vs. Pay Clarified
A common point of confusion for many iPhone users is the difference between Apple Wallet and Apple Pay. While they work together seamlessly, they are two distinct things with different purposes. Understanding this distinction is crucial for managing your digital cards effectively.
What is Apple Wallet?
Think of Apple Wallet as the digital container—your modern-day filing cabinet. It’s the secure application on your iPhone and Apple Watch designed to hold a wide variety of digital items. Its purpose is storage and presentation. The goal is to add store cards to Apple Wallet so you can present them for scanning.
Items you can store in Apple Wallet include:
- Loyalty and membership cards
- Boarding passes and event tickets
- Public transit cards
- Digital car keys
- Student ID cards
- COVID-19 vaccination records
- Credit and debit cards (which are then utilized by Apple Pay)
When you add a membership card to Apple Wallet, you are placing a digital version in this container for easy access.
What is Apple Pay?
Apple Pay, on the other hand, is not a storage app; it is a service. It is the secure and private payment method that uses the credit, debit, and prepaid cards you have stored in your Wallet app to make purchases. When you double-click the side button and your default credit card appears, you are initiating Apple Pay. It is the action of paying.
The process to add a card to Apple Pay is different from adding a loyalty card. It involves entering your credit card details and verifying the card directly with your bank or card issuer for security purposes. This verification step is what authorizes the card for financial transactions. You cannot use a membership card to make a payment through Apple Pay.
The Key Takeaway
The easiest way to remember the difference is with a simple analogy.
- Apple Wallet is the physical wallet or filing cabinet. It holds your things.
- Apple Pay is the action of taking money out of that wallet to pay for something.
You add membership cards to Apple Wallet to show them at the checkout to earn points or get a discount. You use Apple Pay to pay for your purchase. They are two separate actions that often happen one after the other in the same transaction.
Pro Tips for Management
Once you start to add cards to Apple Wallet, you’ll quickly build a collection. Managing these digital passes is simple and can make your experience even more efficient. Here are a few pro tips for keeping your digital wallet organized and working for you.
Reordering Your Passes
Your Apple Wallet doesn’t have to be a static list. You can organize your cards in any order you like. To reorder them, simply open the Wallet app, then tap and hold on the card you want to move. After a moment, you can drag it up or down in the list and release it in its new position. We recommend placing your most frequently used loyalty cards near the top for even faster access.
Enabling Automatic Selections
One of the smartest features of Apple Wallet is its ability to suggest a pass based on your location. To ensure this is active, tap on a specific pass, then tap the three-dot (‘…’) menu in the corner. On the details screen, make sure the “Automatic Selection” toggle is turned on. This allows the pass to appear on your lock screen when your iPhone detects you are near the relevant store, saving you the step of opening the Wallet app manually.
Removing Outdated Cards
Just as you would clean out a physical wallet, it’s good practice to remove expired or unused passes from your Apple Wallet. To delete a card, open the Wallet app, tap on the pass you want to remove, then tap the ‘…’ menu. Scroll to the bottom of the details screen and tap “Remove Pass.” Confirm your choice, and the card will be deleted. This keeps your wallet tidy and relevant.
Apple Watch Integration
Don’t forget that your Apple Watch is an extension of your digital wallet. Any non-payment card you add to your iPhone’s Wallet app is automatically synced and available on your Apple Watch. Simply open the Wallet app on your watch, scroll through your passes, and present the barcode to the scanner. It’s the ultimate in hands-free convenience.
Your Streamlined Wallet
By now, the path to a decluttered, digital wallet should be clear. You’ve moved beyond simply knowing it’s possible and are now equipped with the specific knowledge to handle any card you own, whether it’s officially supported or not.
A Quick Recap
You have two powerful methods at your disposal. The official method allows you to add cards directly from a retailer’s app, website, or QR code, offering a seamless and often dynamic experience. For everything else—from your local library card to your gym membership—the workaround method using a trusted third-party app like Stocard or Pass2U Wallet is your key to complete digitization.
The Final Word
Embracing a digital wallet is about more than just technology; it’s about efficiency, organization, and simplicity. A lighter pocket is a lighter mind. By following these steps, you’ve learned everything you need to know about how to add membership cards to Apple Wallet. It’s time to leave the bulky plastic behind and enjoy the freedom of a truly modern, intelligent wallet.
