College students in the US can’t survive without their student ID cards.
They need them to access their dorms, classrooms, and buildings like the library and even to pay for laundry and dinners around campus. That means, if they lose it or leave it behind, it can be a pain to do even the simplest tasks. Luckily,Appleoffers a way for some students to add their ID cards to Apple Wallet so that they can usean iPhoneorApple Watchin place of their physical ID.
Unfortunately, this feature is limited to over a dozen universities in the US. But Apple has plans to expand. To find out if your school supports student ID cards in Apple Wallet - and, if they do, how to set it up - keep reading.
Which universities support student ID cards in Apple Wallet?
Initially, since last autumn, only three universities supported student ID cards in Apple Wallet. Here’s the full list of universities as of October 2021:
How to add your student ID card to Apple Wallet
Getting started
Here’s what you need to use your student ID card in Apple Wallet:
You’ll need to sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID. you’re able to use your student ID on up to two devices with the same Apple ID.
Add your student ID card to Apple Wallet
School credentials on Apple devices are protected by two-factor authentication.
Remove your student ID card in Apple Wallet
How to use your student ID card with iPhone or Apple Watch
It’s easy: Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near a reader anywhere physical student ID cards are accepted. You can do this wherever you use your student ID card - your dorm or library, the campus bus, the cafeteria, etc. And, yes, you can leave your physical student ID card at home.
Express Mode on
Express Mode is on by default when you add your student ID card so that you’re able to hold the top of your iPhone or the display of your Apple Watch within a few centimeters of the middle of the card reader until you feel a vibration. You’ll see Done and a checkmark on the display. You won’t need to validate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode, or even wake or unlock your device to open an app.
Express Mode off
However, if you turn off Express Mode, you’ll need to authenticate on iPhone via Face ID, Touch ID - and then you may hold the top of your iPhone within a few centimeters of the contactless reader until you see Done and a checkmark on the display. On Apple Watch, double-click the side button to access your cards, and swipe to select your ID card. Then hold the display up to the card reader.
How to manage student ID funds in Apple Wallet
You can add money to your student ID card account with Apple Pay or a credit or debit card - as long as you’ve set it up in the eAccounts app or added money via your school’s self-service machines.
View account balance on iPhone
View account balance on Apple Watch
If you’ve added your card to your Apple Watch, you can view account balances in the Wallet and Apple Pay apps on your Apple Watch.
