Keeping your digital business card in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet
By Online Business Cards Editorial Team | Published | Updated | Sharing your card
Saving your card to your phone wallet puts your QR code a swipe away, next to your boarding passes and loyalty cards. How it works, how to open it fast, and what to check.
Most people share a digital business card in one of two ways: by sending a link, or by showing a QR code for someone to scan. Sending a link is easy when you already have someone's number. Showing a code is better face to face, but only if you can bring it up quickly. Saving your card to your phone's wallet is the simplest way to do that.
What a wallet pass is
A wallet pass is a card stored in the wallet app on your phone: Apple Wallet on an iPhone, or Google Wallet on Android. Boarding passes, event tickets and loyalty cards work the same way. Your business card pass shows your QR code, and scanning that code opens your online profile.
The pass is a shortcut to your profile, not a copy of it. Your profile still lives online, and that is what the other person sees when they scan.
Why keep your card in your wallet
- Speed. Your QR code is a couple of taps away, instead of hunting for a link or a screenshot.
- No extra app. Wallet apps come with the phone or, on Android, are free from the Play Store.
- It sits with things you already reach for. If you use your phone to pay or board trains, opening your wallet is already a habit.
- The code is on your phone. A pass is stored on your device, so you can usually show the code even with weak signal. The person scanning still needs a connection to open your profile.
How to add your card
Once your profile has been set up, use the wallet option that comes with it. Your profile is built and hosted by our platform partner, and their instructions show you where to find it. On an iPhone the pass is added to Apple Wallet; on an Android phone it is saved to Google Wallet.
After adding it, open your wallet and check that the pass is there, that your name looks right, and that the QR code scans from another phone.
Opening it quickly
On iPhone
On most recent iPhones you can open Wallet by double-clicking the side button, if this is switched on in Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay. Swipe to your business card pass. You can also drag the pass to the front of your wallet so it appears first.
On Android
Open the Google Wallet app and tap your pass. Depending on your phone, you may also be able to add a Wallet shortcut to your home screen or quick settings, so it is one tap away.
Showing your code so it scans first time
- Turn the brightness up. Dim screens are the most common reason a code will not scan, especially in bright venues.
- Hold the phone still and flat, about a forearm's length from the other person's camera.
- Avoid glare. Tilt the screen away from overhead lights.
- Say what it is. "Scan this and you will have my details" is enough.
Our QR code guide covers sizes and contrast for printed codes too.
When you update your profile
The QR code on your pass opens your live profile, so changes you make to the profile, such as a new phone number or a new link, show up the next time someone scans. If you change the name or job title shown on the pass itself, check the pass afterwards and add it again if it has not updated.
When to use the wallet and when to use a link
Situation | Best option
Face to face, they have their phone out | QR code from your wallet
You already have their number | Send your link by text or WhatsApp
On a video call | Paste your link in the chat
By email | Your card in your email signature
Presenting to a room | QR code on your closing slide
Our guide to the six ways to share a digital business card explains each of these in more detail.
Read next: How to add your digital business card to your email signature and QR code business cards. You can also browse all our guides.
Frequently asked questions
Does the other person need Apple Wallet or Google Wallet?
No. They scan your code with their phone camera and your profile opens in their browser. From there they can save your details to their contacts.
Does it work without phone signal?
You can usually show the code from your wallet with weak or no signal, because the pass is stored on your phone. The person scanning needs a connection to open your profile. If signal is poor, take their number and send your link later.
Can I have the pass on more than one phone?
If you carry a work phone and a personal phone, add the pass to the one you use when meeting people, and test it there.
Is the wallet pass included in both plans?
Wallet sharing is part of the profile, so it comes with both one-off plans: Brand Presence at £45 and the Business Plan at £90. See the plans, or start with the digital business card.
Do I need to re-add the wallet pass after editing my card?
No. The pass shows a code that opens your live card, so your edits appear without changing the pass.