iOS 26 Brings New Features to Apple Wallet, Including Live Activities for Boarding Passes, US Passport Support, and Saved Credit Card Details

Apple Wallet in iOS 26 introduces several new features, including upgraded digital boarding passes with live activities, airport maps, and luggage tracking. The app also gains support for US passports as digital IDs, allowing users to use them for TSA checkpoints, apps, and in-person verification. Additionally, order tracking is powered by Apple Intelligence, summarizing order details from emails and extracting delivery tracking info from inboxes. The Wallet app now also supports saving full credit card details.

Apple Wallet, a staple feature in iOS, is set to undergo significant enhancements with the release of iOS 26. The new version introduces several innovative features aimed at improving user experience, particularly for frequent travelers and online shoppers. Here are the key updates and their potential implications.

Enhanced Digital Boarding Passes

One of the most notable additions is the upgrade to digital boarding passes. iOS 26 will incorporate live activities, airport maps, and luggage tracking with Find My. Live activities allow users to share their real-time travel updates with friends or family, enhancing the overall travel experience. This feature is expected to be particularly beneficial for frequent flyers, who can now access real-time information and updates directly from their Wallet app.

US Passport Support

Another significant update is the inclusion of US passports as digital IDs in Apple Wallet. This feature will enable users to use their passports for TSA checkpoints, in apps, and for in-person verification. While Apple has been gradually rolling out digital IDs over the years, the support for US passports marks a major milestone. Users should always verify specific airport policies before relying solely on digital IDs.

Order Tracking with Apple Intelligence

Apple Wallet's order tracking feature, introduced in iOS 16, is set to receive a significant boost in iOS 26. Powered by Apple Intelligence, the app will now summarize order details from emails and extract delivery tracking information directly from users' inboxes. This means that users can track their orders, see progress notifications, and access full order details all within the Wallet app. This enhancement is particularly useful for users who frequently shop online and want a centralized hub for their order tracking.

Saved Credit Card Details

For users who rely on Apple Pay for in-store purchases, iOS 26 will introduce the ability to save full credit card details in the Wallet app. While users will still see only the last four digits of the Apple Pay identifier by default, they will have the option to add the full card number, expiration date, and more. This feature is likely to be a significant draw for users who want a more secure and convenient way to manage their credit card information.

Promotional Notifications

In response to recent user feedback, iOS 26 will include an option to disable promotional notifications. This feature allows users to control whether they receive offers and promotions from the Wallet app. The new 'Offers & Promotions' notification category can be enabled or disabled, giving users more control over their notification preferences.

Implications for Apple and CoreCard

These updates highlight Apple's commitment to enhancing the functionality and user experience of Apple Wallet. However, the changes also have implications for other companies. For instance, CoreCard, which has been responsible for managing the Apple Card, is at risk of losing its credit card business due to Apple's potential partnership with JPMorgan Chase. This shift is expected to have minimal impact on Apple Card users in the short term but could significantly affect CoreCard's future prospects.

In conclusion, iOS 26 brings several exciting new features to Apple Wallet, making it a more versatile and user-friendly tool for travelers and online shoppers. While these updates are likely to enhance user satisfaction, they also have implications for other companies involved in the ecosystem. As Apple continues to innovate and expand the capabilities of its Wallet app, it will be interesting to see how these changes shape the broader financial landscape.

References:
[1] https://9to5mac.com/2025/08/07/heres-everything-new-for-apple-wallet-in-ios-26/
[2] https://www.ainvest.com/news/apple-risk-partnership-corecard-jpmorgan-talks-credit-card-issuer-2508/