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Overview

PassEntry lets you create, issue, and manage digital passes for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet using either a dashboard or an API.
Following this guide, most teams can complete the setup in under 15 minutes using the PassEntry dashboard.
This quickstart guide shows how to:

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What is PassEntry?

PassEntry is an API-first platform for issuing and managing digital wallet passes, including:
  • Event tickets
  • Membership cards
  • Loyalty passes
  • Transit passes and more.
Passes can be added to Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, updated in real time and distributed via any of your existing communication channels such as email, SMS, QR codes or automated workflows.

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Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have:
  • A PassEntry account (you can start a free 14-day trial at https://app.passentry.com/signup)
  • Sample brand assets if you want to customise the appearance of your passes

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Core concepts

These concepts are used throughout the documentation:
  • Pass template. A reusable definition of a pass. Defines layout, branding, field labels, and static values that are the same for every issued pass.
  • Pass. A single issued instance of a template. Inherits design and static values from the template and adds dynamic, user-specific data (for example: name, membership ID, seat).
  • Pass download link. A secure, pass-specific URL that lets a user add a pass to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.

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Step 1: Create a pass template

A pass template defines the structure and appearance of your passes.

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Create a template in the dashboard

  1. Log in to your PassEntry account
  2. Go to Pass Templates
  3. Click Create template
  4. Configure the template:
    • Template type (loyalty, event, generic, transit)
    • Visual branding (images and colours). Learn more: Designing passes
    • Pass front fields (for example: membership ID, seat number, expiry date)
    Optional (can be added later):
    • Pass back fields (for example: clickable website link, support email or phone, map directions)
    • App links to your iOS and Android apps
    • Locations and beacons. Learn more: Geofencing
    • Barcode, QR code or NFC. NFC requires prior approval. Learn more: Issuing NFC passes
    • Custom pass issuance form. Learn more: Custom pass issuance forms
  5. Save the template

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Step 2: Issue a pass

Once a pass template exists, you can issue individual passes from it.

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Issue a pass in the dashboard

  1. Open the PassEntry dashboard
  2. Go to Passes
  3. Click Create a pass
  4. Select a pass template you created in the previous step
  5. Fill in the required pass data
  6. Create the pass
After the pass is created, a pass download link is generated. You can share this link with the user to add the pass to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.
If you want to issue passes programmatically, see the API reference.

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Step 3: Add the pass to a wallet

Copy the pass download link and either share it with the user or open it on your own device for testing.
  • When opened on a mobile device, the link opens Apple Wallet (iOS) or Google Wallet (Android) directly.
  • When opened on desktop, the link displays a QR code that can be scanned to add the pass to a mobile wallet.
You can distribute the pass download link via confirmation pages, email or SMS or in-app links. Learn more: Downloading passes

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Step 4: Updating an existing pass

Issued passes can be updated at any time. Updates are reflected automatically in the user’s wallet — there is no need to reinstall the pass. Pass updates can be triggered in two ways:
  • By changing the data of an individual pass (for example: balance, tier, status)
  • By updating the pass template (for example: adding a holiday banner or changing an offer), which updates all existing passes created from that template

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Update a pass via the dashboard

  1. Open the PassEntry dashboard
  2. Go to Passes
  3. Select a pass
  4. Update any field (for example: balance or tier)
  5. Save changes
The update is pushed to the wallet automatically. You can verify the change by opening the pass in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. In some cases, Google Wallet may require reopening the app or a short delay for the update to appear.
If you want to update passes programmatically, see the API reference.

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Step 5: Sending notifications to pass holders

You can send notifications to pass holders to inform them about updates such as new offers, subscription expiry or balance changes. Notifications can include clickable links.

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Send a notification from the dashboard

  1. Go to Passes and open the pass you created in the previous step
  2. Find the notification section in the pass preview
  3. Enter the notification text
  4. Send the notification
To verify delivery, check for the push notification on the device where the pass is installed. The pass must be active and added to a wallet to receive notifications.
Notifications can also be sent in bulk using CSV uploads or programmatically via the API.
Learn more:

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What’s next?

Once you’ve issued your first pass, you can explore more advanced workflows:

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Need help?

If you need assistance, contact PassEntry support. We’ll be happy to help you get started.