After several postponements, Apple and Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM), the Paris region’s transportation authority, have officially launched support for Paris transit passes within Apple Wallet. This integration allows users to utilize their iPhone or Apple Watch as a Navigo pass on various transport modes, including the metro, trains, trams, and buses.
This development is significant for IDFM, particularly with the expected influx of millions of visitors to Paris this summer for the Olympic Games. Notably, Android users have had the capability to use their phones as Navigo passes for some time.
The integration with Apple devices is the result of prolonged negotiations with Apple, as IDFM opted not to use Apple Pay, Visa, or Mastercard for this feature. Rather, the iPhone replicates a Navigo card using its embedded NFC chip.
Yesterday, I successfully created a virtual Navigo pass and used it on the metro without any issues. There are two methods to set up a virtual Navigo pass: through the official IDFM app or directly within the Apple Wallet app.
For tourists who prefer not to download an additional app, adding a transit pass is straightforward. Open the Wallet app, tap the “+” button, and add a Navigo card. You can then purchase one or more tickets and pay via Apple Pay.
To enter the metro, simply use your iPhone to “tap to ride.” You can double-click the iPhone side button to select the Navigo pass or activate Express Mode. With Express Mode, you can tap your iPhone near a reader, and the Navigo pass will be automatically selected without the need to unlock or wake your device.
Each time you use your iPhone as a transit pass, you receive a notification displaying the remaining tickets. This information is also accessible in the Wallet app, where you can purchase additional tickets as needed.
This new feature is compatible with the power reserve mode — even if your iPhone runs out of battery, you can still use your transit pass with Express Mode for several hours. Additionally, if you lose your device, you can remotely lock it using the Find My app on another device, which will disable Express Mode.
For visitors to Paris, the need to visit ticket vending machines is eliminated. However, residents with annual or Liberté+ subscriptions will not be able to add their transit passes to Apple Wallet until 2025.
In related Paris news, Apple has also introduced real-time transit information. While many people use apps like Citymapper or Bonjour RATP for navigation, you can now tap on a train station or bus stop within Apple Maps to view upcoming departures. Furthermore, this summer, Apple will add 3D renderings of the venues for the summer games in Paris.
