What Apple Wallet custom passes are and why they matter
Apple Wallet custom passes are user-created digital cards that replicate physical tickets, loyalty cards, and membership barcodes so they can be stored, displayed, and scanned directly from an iPhone. Instead of relying on each brand’s app or carrying plastic cards, you can build your own digital membership cards and event passes inside Wallet using templates and your existing barcodes. In iOS 27, the Create a Pass feature appears when you tap the plus button in Wallet, letting you digitize membership barcodes and other passes that previously needed third-party tools or app support. According to AppleInsider, Apple has effectively replaced many intermediary “pass generator” apps by adding this option directly into Wallet. The setup takes a bit of manual input the first time, but once configured, these custom passes sit alongside payment cards, transit passes, and tickets for quick, organized access.
Before you start: Requirements and where to find Create a Pass
To create digital membership cards with Apple Wallet custom passes, you need an iPhone running iOS 27 and the updated Wallet app. The feature lives behind the plus icon on the main Wallet screen under Add to Wallet, where a new Create a Pass option appears labeled for “Tickets, membership cards and more.” From here, Wallet explains that you can create a pass using Visual Intelligence or build it manually. Visual Intelligence depends on the new Siri mode and Apple Intelligence, so it may be limited to newer iPhone hardware and users who have access to the updated Siri experience. When that is enabled, scanning a physical card or even a screenshot will let Wallet recognize the barcode and data automatically. If you do not see that Siri option yet, you can still move ahead with the manual path and add every detail yourself.
Digitize membership barcodes with Visual Intelligence (when available)
Once Apple Intelligence and the new Siri camera mode are available on your device, Visual Intelligence will be the fastest way to digitize membership barcodes. In Wallet, tap the plus icon, select Create a Pass, then choose the option to scan a card. Your iPhone camera opens in a Siri-powered mode that reads the card’s details and barcode, then proposes a digital version for Apple Wallet. Pocket-lint notes that when you scan a physical card, “your iPhone uses a new Siri mode in the camera app, which uses Visual Intelligence to scan the card, including its barcode, and generate a digital version.” You can review the detected fields, adjust any labels, and save the new pass. This approach is ideal for loyalty programs and gym cards where the barcode is the main identifier and you want a quick, low-effort way to create Apple Wallet custom passes.
Create a custom pass manually from a physical membership card
If Visual Intelligence is unavailable or you prefer full control, you can create a custom pass manually. Start in Wallet, tap the plus icon, choose Create a Pass, and pick a template: Membership for access cards such as gyms or workplaces, Event for concerts and theater tickets, or Standard for generic cards. Each template includes editable fields plus a barcode or QR section. Tap any field to change its title and value, using date pickers or text where needed. If the default layout does not match your card, tap Add/Remove Fields and delete unwanted items, then tap empty boxes to add ready-made alternatives like Member Status or seat details. Use Add Code (the large barcode area) to scan or enter the membership barcode so it can be presented at check-in. When you are satisfied, save the pass and it appears alongside your other Wallet items.
Customize, manage, and use your new digital membership cards
After you create digital membership cards, you can customize and manage them like any other Wallet items. Open the pass to change its name, color style, or background pattern so you can tell multiple cards apart at a glance. The templates shown in iOS 27 support colorful designs and backgrounds, from bold solid colors to patterned art, which makes it easier to distinguish a gym membership from a theater pass. Your custom passes live in the same stack as payment cards, transit passes, and tickets, so access is consistent: open Wallet, tap the pass, and show the barcode or QR code for scanning. Since they are native Wallet items, they can benefit from Apple Intelligence improvements over time and sit neatly alongside features like order tracking and the new Split Bill tool, helping reduce physical clutter while keeping frequent memberships close at hand.
