Hey there, fellow traveler! Ready to ditch the paper and embrace the convenience of having your Southwest Airlines boarding pass right on your iPhone? You've come to the right place! Adding your Southwest boarding pass to Apple Wallet is a game-changer for a smoother, stress-free travel experience. No more fumbling through emails or printing out documents – just a quick tap and you're good to go.
Let's get you set up, step by glorious step!
The Ultimate Guide to Adding Southwest Airlines to Apple Wallet
Adding your Southwest Airlines boarding pass to Apple Wallet is a straightforward process, primarily done through the official Southwest Airlines mobile app. This method ensures all your flight details are accurate and readily accessible.
Step 1: Get the Southwest Airlines Mobile App (If You Haven't Already!)
Before we even begin, the absolute first step is to ensure you have the official Southwest Airlines® mobile app downloaded on your iPhone. This is the primary and most reliable way to add your boarding pass to Apple Wallet.
Engage with me here: Do you already have the Southwest app installed? If yes, fantastic! You can skip ahead to Step 2. If not, no worries at all! Let's get it on your phone:
Open the App Store: Tap the blue App Store icon on your iPhone's home screen.
Search for "Southwest Airlines": Use the search bar at the bottom right and type in "Southwest Airlines."
Download the App: Look for the app with the familiar Southwest heart logo and tap "Get" or the cloud icon with a downward arrow. You might need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.
Install and Open: Once downloaded, the app will install. Tap "Open" to launch it.
Step 2: Check-In for Your Flight via the Southwest App
You can only add your boarding pass to Apple Wallet after you have checked in for your flight. Southwest Airlines allows online check-in starting 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure.
Open the Southwest Airlines App: Launch the app you just downloaded or already had.
Log In (Optional but Recommended): While you can often check in as a guest, logging into your Rapid Rewards account makes managing your trips much easier. If you have an account, sign in now.
Navigate to Your Trip:
On the app's home screen, you'll typically see an option like "Check In" or "My Trips." Tap on this.
If you're logged in, your upcoming trips should be displayed. Select the specific flight you wish to check in for.
If you're not logged in, you'll be prompted to enter your Confirmation Number and the First and Last Name of a passenger on the itinerary.
Initiate Check-In: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the check-in process. This usually involves reviewing your flight details and confirming your intent to check in.
Receive Your Boarding Pass: Once checked in, the app will generate your mobile boarding pass. This is where the magic begins!
Step 3: Add Your Boarding Pass to Apple Wallet
This is the crucial step! Southwest Airlines has built-in integration with Apple Wallet, making this process seamless.
Locate the "Add to Apple Wallet" Button: After successfully checking in, your mobile boarding pass will be displayed within the Southwest app. Look for a button or option that explicitly says "Add to Apple Wallet" or features the Apple Wallet icon (a black square with a wallet symbol). This button is usually prominently placed on the boarding pass screen.
Tap the Button: Tap on the "Add to Apple Wallet" button.
Review the Pass: Your iPhone will then display a preview of your Southwest boarding pass as it will appear in Apple Wallet. Take a moment to quickly verify the details: your name, flight number, gate, and boarding position.
Confirm Addition: In the upper right corner of the preview screen, you'll see an "Add" button. Tap this to finalize the process.
Success! Your Southwest Airlines boarding pass is now securely stored in your Apple Wallet.
Step 4: Accessing Your Boarding Pass in Apple Wallet
Now that it's added, let's learn how to quickly access it when you need it most – at security and during boarding!
From the Lock Screen (Quick Access):
If "Suggest on Lock Screen" is enabled for Wallet (which it often is by default), your boarding pass will automatically appear on your iPhone's lock screen when you are near the airport or within a certain time window before your flight. Just swipe or tap on it to open.
Alternatively, you can double-click the side button (for iPhones with Face ID) or double-click the Home button (for iPhones with Touch ID). This will instantly bring up your Apple Wallet.
From the Wallet App:
Locate and tap the "Wallet" app icon on your iPhone's home screen.
Scroll through your passes until you find your Southwest Airlines boarding pass. Tap on it to open.
On Your Apple Watch (if paired):
If your iPhone is paired with an Apple Watch, your Southwest boarding pass will automatically sync to your Apple Watch's Wallet app.
To access it on your Watch, either double-click the side button, or open the Wallet app on your Watch and scroll to find your pass.
Step 5: Using Your Digital Boarding Pass at the Airport
This is where the true convenience comes into play!
At Security Checkpoints:
Present your iPhone or Apple Watch with the boarding pass displayed.
The TSA agent will scan the barcode on your digital boarding pass.
At the Boarding Gate:
When your boarding group is called, have your digital boarding pass ready.
The gate agent will scan the barcode on your device.
You might also need to show a valid photo ID (like your driver's license or passport) alongside your digital boarding pass.
Important Notes & Troubleshooting Tips:
Internet Connection: While the boarding pass is stored offline once added to Wallet, you'll need an internet connection to check in and initially add the pass.
Multiple Passengers: If you're traveling with others on the same reservation, you can often add all boarding passes to one iPhone's Apple Wallet, or each passenger can add their individual pass to their own device. The Southwest app usually provides options for this during check-in.
Updating Information: If there's a gate change or flight delay, your digital boarding pass in Apple Wallet should automatically update if "Automatic Updates" is enabled in the pass settings. To check this, open the pass in Wallet, tap the "..." icon (or circle with three dots) in the top right, and ensure "Automatic Updates" is toggled on.
Troubleshooting "Add to Apple Wallet" Missing:
Are you checked in? This is the most common reason. You must be checked in.
Is your app updated? Ensure your Southwest Airlines app is the latest version from the App Store.
Restart the app/phone: Sometimes a quick restart of the app or your iPhone can resolve minor glitches.
Check email: Occasionally, Southwest might also send a link to add the boarding pass to Apple Wallet via email after check-in. Look for an email from Southwest Airlines in your inbox.
Manual addition (less recommended): While there are third-party apps that claim to create Apple Wallet passes from screenshots or manual input, these are not officially supported by Southwest and might not be reliable. Always prioritize the official app or email method.
10 Related FAQ Questions (How to...)
Here are some quick answers to common questions about managing your Southwest Airlines boarding pass in Apple Wallet:
How to: View the details of my Southwest boarding pass in Apple Wallet?
Open the Wallet app, tap on your Southwest boarding pass, then tap the "..." icon (or circle with three dots) in the top right corner. This will show you additional details like flight number, confirmation, and pass settings.
How to: Share my Southwest boarding pass with someone else?
Open the Wallet app, tap on your Southwest boarding pass, then tap the "..." icon (or circle with three dots) in the top right corner. Scroll down and look for the "Share Pass" option. You can typically share it via Messages or Mail.
How to: Remove an expired Southwest boarding pass from Apple Wallet?
Open the Wallet app, tap on the expired pass, then tap the "..." icon (or circle with three dots) in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap "Remove Pass." Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay and toggle on "Hide Expired Passes" to automatically archive them.
How to: Reorder my passes in Apple Wallet?
Open the Wallet app. Touch and hold the Southwest boarding pass you want to move. Drag it to your desired position in the stack.
How to: Make my Southwest boarding pass appear on my Lock Screen automatically?
This is usually enabled by default. To check, open your Wallet app, tap on the Southwest boarding pass, tap the "..." icon, and ensure "Suggest on Lock Screen" is toggled on. Also, ensure Location Services are enabled for Wallet in your iPhone's Privacy settings.
How to: Get my boarding pass on my Apple Watch after adding it to my iPhone?
It should sync automatically! Just ensure your Apple Watch is paired with your iPhone and both are connected to the internet. Open the Wallet app on your Apple Watch to find it.
How to: Troubleshoot if my boarding pass doesn't update in Apple Wallet after a flight change?
First, ensure "Automatic Updates" is enabled for that pass in Wallet (tap the "..." icon on the pass). If it still doesn't update, try opening the Southwest Airlines app, refreshing your trip details, and then going back to Wallet. As a last resort, you can remove and re-add the pass if a fresh "Add to Apple Wallet" option appears in the Southwest app.
How to: Find my boarding position (A, B, or C) on my digital Southwest boarding pass?
Your boarding group (A, B, or C) and boarding position (a number) will be clearly displayed on the front of your digital boarding pass in Apple Wallet, usually in a bold font.
How to: Add another passenger's Southwest boarding pass to my Apple Wallet?
When you check in via the Southwest app for a reservation with multiple passengers, you'll typically have the option to generate and add each individual boarding pass to your Wallet. Follow the "Add to Apple Wallet" prompt for each passenger after they've checked in.
How to: Use Apple Pay for a Southwest Airlines flight purchase?
Yes, you can! When booking flights on the Southwest Airlines website or mobile app, Apple Pay is often presented as a payment option at checkout. Simply select it and authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
