When you think about a wallet, what is your first thought? Credit cards, photos, IDs?
I bet keys weren’t on the list. But with iOS 15 there are all kinds of keys that you can add to your Apple Wallet. And now that you can add your vaccine card and state ID, this is one wallet you won’t forget at home.
With the rise of electronic devices that connect and control your home and car keys that don’t need to touch the car to unlock it, it makes sense that these electronic keys can be kept in the Wallet. And if you use a badge to get into the office then you can also add that key to the Wallet. Hotel keys are another type that you can store in the Wallet but with that one you need to use hotel’s app.
Here’s how it works.
Add a Home Key
Step 1. Open the Home app.
Step 2. Tap “Add Accessory.”

Step 3. Hold your iPhone near the electronic door lock and follow the onscreen instructions to complete setup.

The key will be automatically added to your Wallet for you to use. An additional feature with the home key is that you can create special locks for guests that you can turn off when you no longer want them to have access.
Add a Car Key
Your car must be associated with the account provided by the car’s manufacturer. To find out if your car is compatible you would need to contact the manufacturer or dealership.
Step 1. Open the car manufacturer’s app, email, or text message, or use your car’s display and follow the instructions to set up a key.
Step 2. When you’re sent to the Wallet app, tap “Continue.”
Step 3. If prompted by the onscreen instructions, place your iPhone on the key reader while your iPhone and car pair.
Step 4. When your iPhone and car finish pairing, tap “Done.”
Now when you walk up to your car it will unlock automatically and if you walk away it will lock. Depending on your vehicle you may be able to start it using the car key in the Wallet too. Especially useful on chilly winter mornings.
Add a Hotel Key
This feature relies on the hotel to have a compatible system and app for the key to work from the Wallet. For Hyatt hotels you can add your hotel key to the Wallet right after making a reservation. This means you can skip the front desk and head straight to your room and use your iPhone to unlock it. Just download the hotel’s app and follow the instructions to add a key.
Add an Office Key
To add this key to the Wallet depends on the office. If it is supported, then you would need to contact the people in charge and follow the instructions they have set for adding the badge to your Wallet.
Add a Student ID Card
Apple is making every student’s life just a little bit easier. Think of all the extra studying that can be done when you don’t have to waste time searching for your student ID.
Step 1. Sign into the school’s student account management app using your school ID and password.
Step 2. Tap “Add to Apple Wallet.”
Step 3. Follow the prompts to complete the setup.
Add a Driver’s License
Currently only available in a handful of states, but more are coming on board with the process. To find out if your state is on the list and add your ID:
Step 1. Open Settings.
Step 2. Select “Wallet & Apple Pay.”

Step 3. Select “Add Card.”

Step 4. If “ID Card” is on the list, then your state supports the feature. Select “ID Card” to add.

Step 5. Follow prompts to complete setup.
Add a Vaccination Card to Wallet
You will need to have access to your vaccination records, if you do not have access contact the agency you scheduled your shot through, and they can assist in locating the information you need.
Option A: Follow these steps if your healthcare provider made a QR code or a link available to you.
Step 1. Access the QR code through your health care provider. This is best done on a laptop or computer to make Step 2 easier.

Step 2. Use your iPhone camera to scan the QR code. If you access the code using your iPhone, you will not be able to scan it. Take a screenshot and forward it to another device so you can use the iPhone camera to scan the code.
Step 3. Tap the link that the code brings up.

Step 4. Tap “Add to Wallet & Health,” then tap “Done.”

Option B: If you have received a COVID-19 vaccination record from a supported healthcare provider that is already in your Health app, follow these steps.
Step 1. Open the Health app.
Step 2. Choose the vaccine record.
Step 3. Tap “Add to Wallet.”
To use the vaccine card just double-click the side-button (or home button) to access your Wallet and click on the vaccine card just as you would to choose a credit card.
Archived Passes
Expired boarding passes and tickets will now be automatically moved to a separate list instead of manually moving or deleting making it easier to find the one you need when you need it.
Multiple-pass Downloads
If you bought a 3-day event package or a week of passes to Disney, you are now able to add all the passes in one download instead of manually adding them one by one.
There is a lot going on in this Wallet which makes me wonder, what are all the dads going to get for Christmas this year if they already have the Apple Wallet?
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I would be lost without my morning Pete newsletter. You are teaching a very old senior a daily new trick. Maybe sometimes a necessary repeat. Many thanks.
How do you get to the ” my home” screen? Under your heading called ” Add a Home Key”
Thanks