Create a Pass: Scanning or typing, Wallet becomes your pass vault
The Wallet app in iOS 27 offers a brand-new 'Create a Pass' feature, allowing users to scan physical passes with their phone's camera and Apple's visual intelligence tools or build one from scratch. This manual option presents three pass types: Standard, Membership, and Event. Apple's goal is to make Wallet the main location for all digital and physical passes, consolidating everything into one easy-to-use app.
Splitting bills becomes easier — and Apple Cash handles the math
iOS 27 adds a 'Split Bill with Apple Cash' option to the Wallet app. When using the new Siri mode in the Camera app, users can scan receipts and choose to split the bill. The Wallet app then opens, showing options to either 'Request' payment from others or 'Pay Your Share.' This new process makes splitting expenses more convenient and is designed to encourage regular use of Apple Cash.
Apple Card users track subscriptions and upcoming charges
Apple Card users gain a 'Recurring' section in iOS 27, accessible through the three-dot menu on the Apple Card screen. This section lists all recurring subscriptions and upcoming charges, displayed either on a monthly calendar or as a standard list. The feature simplifies tracking and managing ongoing expenses for Apple Card holders.
Hotel key functionality in the Wallet app also sees improvements in iOS 27. The enhanced key experience for participating hotels allows users to unlock their rooms, access amenities, and receive updates about booked activities — all directly from the Apple Wallet. In a beta release, an 'Insights' feature was briefly available for tracking spending across multiple cards, though it was removed from the US version. There's hope, however, that it may be reintroduced in the future.
These new features in iOS 27 showcase Apple's effort to position the Wallet app as the central hub for managing various aspects of digital life. From handling expenses and subscriptions to managing hotel stays and digital passes, the updates aim to make the user experience across Apple services more unified and efficient. As the fall release approaches, users can look forward to a more integrated and convenient ecosystem.
