How to transfer Apple Wallet tickets to another person
You can transfer most Apple Wallet tickets to someone else by opening the ticket, tapping the share button (usually a square with an arrow), and selecting how you want to send it — Messages, Mail, AirDrop, or other apps on your phone. The person receiving it can add the ticket directly to their own Wallet, or they can view it without adding it. Not all tickets support transfer; some are locked to your Apple ID and cannot be shared.
The exact steps depend on what kind of ticket you're transferring. Event tickets (concerts, sports, movies) usually transfer easily. Boarding passes sometimes do, but airlines set their own rules — some require the original purchaser's ID at check-in even if someone else holds the pass. Parking and transit passes vary by provider.
Before you transfer, check whether the ticket is tied to your identity. If it is, the recipient may not be able to use it without you present, or the venue may reject it. The ticket details usually say whether it's transferable.
Key Takeaways
- Most event tickets in Apple Wallet can be shared through Messages, Mail, or AirDrop by tapping the share button on the ticket itself.
- Some tickets, especially airline boarding passes, may require the original purchaser to be present at the venue even after transfer.
- Tickets locked to your Apple ID cannot be transferred and will only work when you present them.
- The recipient can add a transferred ticket to their Wallet or view it temporarily without saving it.
- Always check the ticket's terms before transferring — some venues or providers restrict who can use a ticket once it leaves your account.
Transferring tickets through Messages or Mail
Open the Wallet app and find the ticket you want to transfer. Tap the ticket to open it fully, then look for a share icon — usually a square with an arrow pointing out of it, or three dots in a corner. Tap that icon and choose Messages or Mail from the menu that appears.
If you use Messages, the ticket will appear as a preview in the conversation. The recipient can tap it to add it to their Wallet immediately, or they can view it without saving. If you use Mail, the ticket arrives as an attachment or preview in the email. The recipient opens it and chooses to add it to their Wallet or view it temporarily.
The ticket remains in your Wallet after you send it. You're not removing it from your account — you're creating a copy the other person can use. If the ticket is tied to your identity, both of you may be able to view it, but only you can use it at the venue.
Using AirDrop to transfer tickets in person
AirDrop is the fastest way to transfer a ticket when you're standing next to the person who needs it. Both phones must have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, and both must be unlocked. Open the ticket in Wallet, tap the share button, and select AirDrop. Your phone will show nearby devices; tap the recipient's name.
Their phone will receive a notification asking whether to accept the ticket. Once they tap Accept, the ticket appears in their Wallet. This works instantly and doesn't require email addresses or phone numbers — just proximity.
AirDrop works best for last-minute transfers or when you're handing off a ticket in person. If the recipient isn't nearby, Messages or Mail is more practical.
Tickets that cannot be transferred
Some tickets are locked to your Apple ID and cannot be shared at all. This is common with airline boarding passes, especially from carriers that require identity verification at check-in. If a ticket cannot be transferred, the share button will either be missing or will show a message saying the ticket is not transferable.
Tickets locked to your account are usually that way for security reasons. The venue or airline wants to confirm that the person using the ticket is the person who bought it. Even if someone else holds your phone or receives a screenshot, they cannot check in without your ID.
If you need someone else to attend an event and your ticket is non-transferable, contact the venue or ticket seller directly. Some will reissue a ticket in the other person's name, or they'll allow a transfer if you provide written permission and both IDs at the gate.
What happens when the recipient adds the ticket to their Wallet
When someone receives a ticket you've transferred and adds it to their Wallet, it appears in their Wallet app just like any other ticket. They can view it, get notifications about the event, and present it at the venue by opening Wallet and showing the barcode or QR code to a scanner.
If the ticket is transferable, the venue's scanner will accept it from the recipient without checking identity. If the ticket is tied to your name or account, the scanner may flag it, or the venue staff may ask for ID — and they may require your ID specifically, not the recipient's.
Once the recipient adds the ticket to their Wallet, you can still see it in yours. The ticket is not removed from your account; it's duplicated. If you both show up at the venue with the same ticket, only one of you will be allowed in. Coordinate who will actually use the ticket before the event.
Transferring tickets without adding them to Wallet
The recipient doesn't have to add a ticket to their Wallet to use it. When you send a ticket through Messages or Mail, they can tap it to view it without saving it. This creates a temporary view of the ticket that expires after the event or after a set time.
Viewing without saving is useful if you want to transfer a ticket but keep it in your own Wallet as a record, or if the recipient prefers not to clutter their Wallet with temporary tickets. They can still present the ticket at the venue by showing the barcode or QR code from the message or email.
The downside is that the recipient has to keep the message or email open to show the ticket. If they delete the message or close the email, they lose access to it. Adding it to Wallet is more reliable for the actual event.
Transferring tickets from different providers
The transfer process is the same across most ticket types, but individual providers set their own rules about whether a ticket can be transferred at all. Ticketmaster, StubHub, and most concert venues allow transfers through Apple Wallet. Airlines vary — some allow boarding pass transfers, others do not. Sports teams, theaters, and parking services each have their own policies.
Before you transfer, check the ticket details or the provider's website. If the ticket says it's non-transferable or locked to your account, attempting to share it may not work, or the recipient may not be able to use it at the venue. Some providers require you to transfer through their own app or website instead of using Wallet's share feature.
If you're unsure, contact the ticket seller or venue directly. They can tell you whether the specific ticket can be transferred and what ID or proof the recipient will need to present it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a ticket if I already used it?
No. Once you use a ticket at a venue — once the barcode is scanned — it's consumed and cannot be transferred. You can only transfer unused tickets. If you need to give someone your ticket before the event, transfer it before you arrive at the venue.
What if the recipient loses the ticket after I transfer it?
If they added it to their Wallet, they can recover it by opening Wallet and finding the ticket again — it's still linked to their Apple ID. If they only viewed it in a message or email and deleted that message, they've lost access. Ask them to add it to their Wallet immediately after you send it so they don't lose it.
Can I transfer a ticket to someone with an Android phone?
Yes, but they cannot add it to Apple Wallet because they don't have an Apple device. You can send them the ticket through Messages or Mail, and they can view it and present the barcode at the venue. Some Android phones have a Google Wallet equivalent, but the ticket won't automatically transfer there — they'll have to view it from the message or email.
Do I need the recipient's email or phone number to transfer a ticket?
Only if you're using Mail or Messages. If you're using AirDrop, you just need to be near them with both phones unlocked. For Messages, you need their phone number or Apple ID. For Mail, you need their email address.
What if my ticket is for multiple people?
If your ticket covers multiple attendees (like a family pack or group booking), check the ticket details. Some multi-person tickets can be split and transferred individually; others must stay together. Contact the ticket seller if you're unsure — they may need to reissue separate tickets for each person.