Creating Custom Google Wallet Passes is Now as Simple as Taking a Photo

Google Wallet is enhancing the digital wallet experience by adding user-friendly updates that simplify the process of storing various cards and passes. While the app supports numerous transit passes, loyalty programs, and some state IDs, many providers have yet to integrate their offerings.

To address this gap, Google introduced a feature known as custom passes last year, utilizing AI to scan and convert images into Wallet-compatible formats. This feature has become a fan-favorite, and its usability has recently improved.

In the past, creating a custom pass involved several steps: users needed to open the Wallet app, select “Add to Wallet,” choose “Everything else,” and then either take a photo or navigate through the Android Photo Picker. This could be cumbersome, particularly for items not easily accessible in the photo gallery.

Now, Google has streamlined this process. Wallet has been integrated into Android’s share sheet, allowing users to share images directly to the app from almost any location.

Users can simply long-press an image in their gallery or camera app, select “Share,” and choose Google Wallet. This quickly launches the custom pass creator, after which users can select the pass type and save it.

While this is a welcome enhancement that makes the process much quicker, it’s worth noting that Google hasn’t labeled the share target, which may lead some users to overlook it. The rollout of these updates has been inconsistent, with some devices, like certain Pixel models and premium phones such as the S25 Ultra and OnePlus Open, experiencing varying availability.

In addition to this share feature, users can now edit custom pass information after creation—a long-awaited improvement. Moreover, digital ID support continues to expand, with Iowa recently joining the list.

These updates suggest Google remains committed to enhancing Wallet, even if not all users have received them yet.

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