An NFC pass is an electronic record of a loyalty card, ticket or ID, which can be presented securely by your smart phone over a short distance, using its NFC (Near Field Communication) signal. In the same way that Apple Pay and Google Pay replaces bank cards when making contactless payments, Apple & Google Wallets can also store NFC digital passes to replace physical loyalty cards, event tickets, club membership numbers, QR-codes and other IDs used for non-banking applications.

Benefits of NFC passes

NFC passes are simply way more convenient and many times faster to use. (Compatible readers auto-detect relevant passes in an instant – no searching for digital QR-codes or physical cards).

Simplifying operations while reducing costs and environmental impacts. (Organisations can dispense with having to produce, issue and manage large numbers of physical cards, tags or tickets).

NFC passes open-up direct customer engagement opportunities. (Boost engagement with push notifications for reminders and incentives).

Apple Wallet NFC pass

Apple Wallet supports NFC passes through the Apple VAS (Value Added Services) protocol. Apple VAS is compatible with iPhone 6 and later models, and all Apple Watches.

Google Wallet pass

Google Wallet Passes are supported by the Google Smart Tap protocol. Any NFC-enabled Android device running Lollipop 5.0 or higher supports Google Pay and Smart Tap. The Wear OS version of Google Wallet for watches does not yet support NFC passes.

NFC Digital pass

NFC passes can be of various types, to make them easier to distinguish visually when viewed in the wallet. Google and Apple have templates for NFC digital passes of different types, including: loyalty, event tickets, boarding passes and coupons.

NFC Wallet pass readers

Standard NFC tag readers cannot read NFC wallet passes. Apple and Google certified NFC Pass readers are required – these are configurable to read a merchant’s own encrypted passes and include the automatic pass selection features that make NFC wallet passes so much more convenient to use.

Demo NFC passes for VTAP readers

For demonstration and development purposes only, we can provide NFC passes that will work with our VTAP readers out-of-the-box.

If you need advice on pass issuance options for production use – contact us.

In addition to bank payment cards, the standard Apple and Google Wallet apps can also securely store NFC enabled digital passes for non-payment applications – including tickets, boarding passes, loyalty cards, insurance and membership IDs, gift cards, vouchers and more.

With just a tap from a phone, VTAP NFC readers auto-detect and read the relevant encrypted pass – for a secure, fast and super-convenient user experience. The user’s pass data is transferred to the connected system to initiate the appropriate action, such as open a turnstile with a ticket, check-in to an event or club, collect loyalty points or redeem a voucher.

Benefits of NFC passes

• NFC wallet passes can be added to a wallet from an email, SMS, website or in-app link. Organisations can develop and brand their own passes or use the services of a pass provider for end-to-end management.
• VTAP readers auto-detect the relevant NFC pass – no need to search for and scan a QR code. Passes can also be set to pop-up on a user’s device based on location or time.
• Push notifications to passes open up a direct channel for communication. Notifications can pop-up with updates to passes, timely reminders, incentives and offers.

Demo NFC passes for VTAP readers

For demonstration and development purposes only, we can provide NFC passes that will work with our VTAP readers out-of-the-box.

If you need advice on pass issuance options for production use – contact us.

Apple VAS (Value Added Services) are concerned with storing and using digital passes in your Apple Wallet. In the same way that Apple Pay replaces bank cards when making contactless payments, Apple Wallet will store NFC enabled digital passes, which replace physical loyalty cards, event tickets, club membership numbers, QR-codes and other IDs used for non-banking applications. NFC passes in Apple Wallet can only be used with readers that support the Apple Pay VAS (Value Added Services) protocol.

Apple VAS reader compatibility

Apple devices’ native NFC capabilities enable contactless communication between the device and the VAS reader but a standard NFC tag reader or NFC tag reading application cannot read an NFC wallet pass. Apple VAS requires that the NFC reader implements Apple VAS Enhanced Contactless Polling (ECP), which is an Apple-proprietary extension to EMV and ISO/IEC 14443-A (NFC-A). ECP enables the frictionless ‘Tap-and-Go’ experience.

Apple VAS reader ‘Tap-and-Go’

VTAP Apple VAS readers auto-detect the relevant NFC pass from locked iPhones – making interactions hassle-free for users, and dramatically improving through-put for venue managers.

Ticket entry is many times faster with NFC wallet passes, compared to QR-codes – which must be manually selected from a wallet after first unlocking the phone.

Apple Wallet NFC reader security

All pass data exchanged over NFC is securely encrypted using ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) and merchant-specific key pairs. Unlike QR-codes, NFC wallet passes cannot be copied by a screen-grab and then shared.

Apple VAS NFC readers

The range of VTAP NFC wallet pass readers has been fully certified by Apple to work with their VAS protocol – including all the features necessary to enable automatic pass selection and decryption.

VTAP readers

Fully certified by both Apple for VAS, and Google for Smart Tap.

Google Smart Tap technology is concerned with storing and using digital passes in your Google Wallet. In the same way that Google Pay replaces bank cards when making contactless payments, Google Wallet will store NFC enabled digital passes, which replace physical loyalty cards, event tickets, club membership numbers, QR-codes and other IDs used for non-banking applications.

NFC passes in Google Wallet can only be used with readers that support the Google Smart Tap protocol.

Smart Tap reader compatibility

Standard NFC tag readers cannot read Google Smart Tap NFC passes. Google certified NFC Pass readers are required – these not only include all of the features necessary for automatic pass selection and decryption, but also for configuration to operate with the merchant’s own passes.

Android ‘Tap-and-Go’ reader

VTAP readers auto-detect the relevant NFC pass from the Google Wallet – streamlining interactions for users, and dramatically improving through-put for venue managers. Ticket entry is many times faster with NFC wallet passes, compared to QR-codes – which always have to be manually selected from the wallet.

Android ‘Tap-and-Go’ reader

VTAP readers auto-detect the relevant NFC pass from the Google Wallet – streamlining interactions for users, and dramatically improving through-put for venue managers. Ticket entry is many times faster with NFC wallet passes, compared to QR-codes – which always have to be manually selected from the wallet.

Google Wallet NFC reader security

Smart Tap uses secure encrypted NFC data exchange. Android devices provide cryptographic functions to encrypt shared data. Unlike QR-codes, NFC wallet passes cannot be easily copied by a screen-grab and then shared.

Google Smart Tap readers

The range of VTAP NFC wallet pass readers has been fully certified by Google to work with their Smart Tap protocol.

VTAP readers

Fully certified by both Google for Smart Tap, and Apple for VAS.

Apple Wallet and Google Wallet readers and RFID cards

VTAP wallet pass readers are certified for both Apple VAS and Google Smart Tap passes – configurable to automatically detect and read a merchant’s own encrypted passes. Additionally, VTAP readers are able to read RFID cards in popular formats, to support migrations from RFID cards to NFC passes and long-term mixed-media environments.

For demonstration and development purposes, we can provide NFC passes that will work with our VTAP readers out-of-the-box.

If you need advice on pass issuance options for production use – contact us.

RFID cards in Apple Wallet

NFC passes for Apple Wallet can replace physical RFID cards across an endless array of applications. NFC enabled wallet passes on iPhone deliver real improvements over using standard RFID cards:

• Fast and convenient. Apple VAS certified wallet readers will auto-detect relevant NFC passes in an instant – no more searching for RFID cards, just tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on the reader.
• Secure. iPhone and Apple Watch encrypt all pass data exchanged over NFC with a matching reader.
• Additionally, as with other Apple Wallet services, users can block a lost or stolen device via ‘Find My iPhone’. By contrast, standard RFID cards are notoriously easy to copy and clone, or replicate – while there are often long delays in revoking access for a lost RFID card.
• Economical, efficient and more environmentally-friendly. Using Apple Wallet passes reduces the cost, administration and impact of producing, issuing and managing large numbers of plastic RFID cards.
• Communication to users. Push notifications can keep users informed and updated via their iPhone.

RFID cards are widely used for door access control, club membership, and many other contactless ID applications. Apple has defined templates for common types of wallet pass, including: boarding passes, event tickets, store cards and coupons. Always mindful of ensuring the highest levels of customer experience, Apple will check and approve each application to issue NFC passes.

In addition to general-use Wallet passes, Apple also has dedicated options for storing digital keys (for car, home and hotel) in Apple Wallet as well as student ID and mobile driving licences.

RFID cards in Google Wallet

Google Wallet’s Smart Tap NFC passes can also be used to replace physical RFID cards. Using NFC wallet passes on an Android phone offers equivalent advantages over common RFID cards:

• Fast and convenient. Smart Tap certified wallet readers auto-detect relevant passes – avoiding delays searching for RFID cards.
• Secure. NFC data sharing is encrypted using private keys stored within Android devices. Users can remotely halt the Google Wallet service on a lost phone via Google’s ‘Find My Device’ service.
• Economical, efficient and more environmentally-friendly. Not having to produce, issue and manage large numbers of plastic RFID cards reduces costs, administration and environmental impacts.
• Communication to users. Mobile push notifications can keep users updated.

Google have defined templates for common types of wallet pass, including event tickets, loyalty cards, offers and travel passes – making it easier for RFID card applications to be migrated to NFC wallet passes.

Passes in Apple Wallet

NFC passes for Apple Wallet can replace QR codes across an endless array of applications. NFC enabled wallet passes on iPhone deliver real improvements over using QR codes:

• Fast and convenient for users. Apple VAS certified wallet readers will auto-detect relevant NFC passes in an instant – no more searching to bring up the QR code on an email, just tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on the reader.
• Secure. iPhone and Apple Watch encrypt all pass data exchanged over NFC with a matching reader.
• Economical, efficient and environmentally-friendly. Using Apple Wallet passes requires no more administrative time than issuing QR codes and offers the same paper- and plastic-free benefits.
• Communication to users. Push notifications can keep users informed and updated via their iPhone.
• Additionally, as with other Apple Wallet services, users can block a lost or stolen device via ‘Find My iPhone’.

QR codes are widely used in contactless ID applications. Apple has defined templates for common types of wallet pass, including: boarding passes, event tickets, store cards and coupons. Always mindful of ensuring the highest levels of customer experience, Apple will check and approve each application to issue NFC passes.

In addition to general-use wallet passes, Apple also has dedicated options for storing digital keys (for car, home and hotel) in Apple Wallet as well as student ID and mobile driving licences.

Passes in Google Wallet

Google Wallet’s Smart Tap NFC passes can also be used to replace QR codes. Using NFC wallet passes on an Android phone offers equivalent advantages over physical NFC tags:

• Fast and convenient. Smart Tap certified wallet readers auto-detect relevant passes – avoiding delays locating tags.
• Secure. NFC data sharing is encrypted using private keys within Android devices. Users can remotely halt the Google Wallet service on a lost phone via Google’s ‘Find My Device’ service.
• Economical, efficient and more environmentally-friendly. None of these advantages are lost by switching from QR codes to mobile NFC passes.
• Communication to users. Mobile push notifications can keep users updated.

Google has defined templates for common types of wallet pass, including event tickets, loyalty cards, offers and travel passes – making it easier for NFC tag applications to be migrated to digital NFC wallet passes.

Apple Wallet and Google Wallet readers and QR codes

VTAP wallet pass readers are certified for both Apple VAS and Google Smart Tap passes – configurable to automatically detect and read a merchant’s own encrypted passes. Additionally, VTAP readers are able to read RFID cards in popular formats, to support migrations from RFID cards to NFC passes and long-term mixed-media environments.

For demonstration and development purposes, we can provide NFC passes that will work with our VTAP readers out-of-the-box.

If you need advice on pass issuance options for production use – contact us.

How to issue Apple iPhone NFC passes?

There is no practical limit on the number of NFC passes or tickets that a user can have on their iPhone or Apple Watch.

NFC passes and tickets can be issued to users through multiple channels, and added to the standard Apple Wallet app. Distribution options include email, SMS, web, social media, or in-app links.

The quickest and simplest route for organisations wanting to provide people with NFC passes (for iPhone, Apple Watch or Android phone) is to use a Pass Provider.

Pass Providers offer a range of services covering both Apple and Google devices, from complete solutions with no coding required, to developer customisable platforms:

• Personalised passes can be designed and branded.
• Passes can be issued to customers through multiple channels, with automatic selection of Google or Apple passes as appropriate.
• Customers can be sent push notifications to their iPhone, and even messages based on their specific location.
• Provide pass usage metrics and dashboards.

Alternatively, with a sufficiently skilled development team, NFC Wallet Passes can be generated and managed directly.

To issue any passes for Apple Wallet you will need to start by applying at https://developer.apple.com/programs/enroll/ to request demonstration NFC pass issuing.

To issue passes for Google Wallet you will need to begin by creating a Google Pay Business Console account at https://pay.google.com/business/console/ to access the Google Pay API. Do contact us if you need any help.

Demo iPhone NFC passes for VTAP readers

VTAP NFC Wallet pass readers are fully certified by both Apple and Google.

For demonstration and development purposes, we can provide NFC passes that will work with our VTAP readers out-of-the-box.

If you need advice on pass issuance options for production use – contact us.

How to issue Google Wallet tickets?

NFC tickets and passes for Google Wallet can be issued to Android users through multiple channels. Distribution options include email, SMS, web, social media, or in-app links.

There is no practical limit on the number of NFC tickets and passes that can be stored in the Google Wallet.

Demo iPhone NFC passes for VTAP readers

VTAP NFC wallet pass readers are fully certified by both Apple and Google.

For demonstration and development purposes, we can provide NFC passes that will work with our VTAP readers out-of-the-box.

If you need advice on pass issuance options for production use – contact us.