Gift cards and store credit now live in Apple Wallet

Starting today, Gift Card Hero supports Apple Wallet passes for gift cards and store credit balances. Customers can add their card to Apple Wallet directly from the gift card email or their account page - no app download, no account creation, no friction.

The pass displays the current balance in real time. Unlike static gift card codes that require the customer to log in to check their balance, the Apple Wallet pass updates automatically after each transaction. A customer who spends $30 of a $100 gift card will see $70 on their pass the next time they open their wallet. This is handled through Apple's push notification infrastructure - passes update silently in the background without any action required from the customer.

At checkout, the customer can present the pass by double-clicking the side button on their iPhone, the same gesture used for Apple Pay. The pass displays the card code and barcode, which staff can scan or enter manually. For online checkout, customers can copy their card code directly from the pass. The experience is consistent across both channels.

The visual design of the pass inherits your brand. When you configure Apple Wallet passes in Gift Card Hero, you upload your logo and choose a background color. The pass displays your brand name, the card balance, and the expiration date if applicable. Customers experience your brand, not a generic Gift Card Hero interface, every time they open their wallet.

Store credit balances work identically to gift card passes. When a customer receives store credit - through a refund, a loyalty reward, or a manual issuance - they receive the same single-tap option to add the balance to Apple Wallet. The pass shows the credit balance and updates in real time as they spend. For customers who regularly receive store credit, this eliminates the need to log in to check their balance before shopping.

To enable Apple Wallet passes, go to the Branding section of your Gift Card Hero dashboard and upload your logo in the required format. Pass generation is included in all paid plans at no additional cost. Passes are generated automatically for new gift card and store credit issuances once the feature is enabled. For existing balances, customers can add the pass from their account page.

We are working on Google Wallet support and expect to ship it in Q1 2025. If you have questions about the Apple Wallet integration or need help with pass configuration, our support team is available via chat and email.