I’m a big fan ofdigital walletsapps because of their sheer convenience. Since the inception ofApple WalletandGoogle Wallet, I have used both depending on whether I’m using my iPhone or Pixel. And since I started adding all my cards to them, my physical wallet has become noticeably lighter.
However, there are still instances where certain types ofcards or passesdo not support digital wallet apps, requiring you to carry a physical card still, such as for your local library or gym. Thankfully, Google Wallet offers a solution to this. Unfortunately, Apple Wallet does not.
Google Wallet’s solution for cards that don’t support digital wallets is straightforward. It’s a feature aptly named “Everything else” and it lets you add any custom card with a QR code or barcode to the app that Google Wallet doesn’t already support. It’s not limited to cards either; you may also add documents to it, such as an insurance slip.
While you can technically add custom cards to Apple Wallet, you need to download a third-party app to do it, like Wallet Creator or Pass2U Wallet. With Google Wallet, you don’t need to download any third-party app; the feature is built-in, and it takes seconds to set up. Here’s how to get started.
Google Wallet
Google Wallet is Google’s digital wallet app for managing credit and debit cards, tickets, student IDS, and more.
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How to add a custom card to your Google Wallet
You can add an event ticket, gym membership, library card, and more
To get started adding custom cards and passes to your Google Wallet, simply open up the Google Wallet app and tap theAdd to Walletbutton in the bottom right corner of the app. From there, select theEverything elseoption.
You will need to agree to the terms and conditions before using the feature, as Google utilizes AI to determine the type of card it is. If you agree, a screen will appear, allowing you to take a picture of your card or document.
Once you take the photo, Google will automatically generate a pass for it for your Google Wallet based on the information it has on it. If it has a barcode or QR code on it, it will generate a digital version to be stored with the pass, allowing you to use it instead of the physical card. If it’s a document, such as an insurance slip, information like your policy number will be stored in your Google Wallet attached to it.
When you add a custom card to your Google Wallet, you can customize some of the details Google automatically added by tapping theEditbutton. Depending on the type of pass, the details you can change will vary. For example, the available fields to edit for an insurance slip and a gym card will differ. Once you’re happy with all the details, simply tap save, and your custom card will be added to your Google Wallet.
Currently, Google Wallet has 17 different pass types you can choose from when creating a custom card:
For certain documents, such as your driver’s license or passport, you should still carry them with you. Adding them to your Google Wallet makes it easier to access the information when you need it.
As you may see from the list above, Google offers a variety of custom pass types, making it super easy to add a custom card to your Google Wallet. It’s unfortunate that Apple Wallet doesn’t have a similar feature to Google Wallet’s Everything else option. I’d love to be able to add any type of card or document to my iPhone’s Apple Wallet for secure storage and easy access, but unfortunately, I’m unable to do so without a third-party app.
Google clearly has the advantage here. You don’t need to worry about downloading a third-party app and sharing your information with them. Just open the Google Wallet app, and the functionality is securely built-in and easy to use.
For more information on adding and managing items in your Google Wallet, you’re able to check outGoogle’s support page post.
Additionally, if you’ve recently downloadedAndroid 16, Google has included a new feature with the update that enhances the Google Wallet experience even further thatyou should try.
Some US states now support adding your state IDs officially to Google Wallet. To find out more, and which states are eligible, head toGoogle’s Digital ID page.
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