Paris Transit Passes Now Available in iPhone’s Wallet App

Apple and the Paris area transportation authority enabled Apple Wallet to support Paris transit permits following multiple delays. Individuals can now board the metro, train, tram, or bus using their iPhone or Apple Watch as a Navigo pass

This is crucial information for the transportation authority, Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM), as millions of people will visit Paris for the summer Olympic Games. Android devices have been capable of functioning as navigational aids for some time.

This feature is also the result of years of negotiations between IDFM and the technology company regarding Apple integration; IDFM does not utilize Apple Pay, Visa, or Mastercard to operate. In contrast, the iPhone uses its integrated NFC device to simulate a Navigo card.

I successfully utilized a virtual Navigo pass to travel the metro yesterday; everything ran according to plan. Two methods exist for generating a virtual Navigo permit. You can do so through the official transportation authority app or Apple Wallet.

It is relatively simple for tourists who do not want an additional app to acquire a transit pass. Tap the plus sign within the Wallet application to add a Navigo card. After that, Apple Pay can purchase one or more tickets.

You may “tap to ride” on the metro using your iPhone as you access the system. To enable Express Mode, double-click the side icon on your iPhone and select the Navigo pass option. In the latter scenario, simply tapping your iPhone near a reader will cause it to automatically select the Navigo pass without requiring you to activate or wake your device.

You receive an alert each time you utilize your iPhone as a transit pass, detailing the remaining number of tickets. Additionally, you can view this data in the Wallet app and purchase additional tickets anytime.

The new feature is also compatible with power reserve; you can continue to use your transit pass for a few hours in Express Mode if your battery dies. Plus, if you misplace your device, you can secure it remotely from another device using the Find My app; doing so will disable Express Mode.

Therefore, tourists visiting Paris are no longer required to visit ticket dispensing machines. Until 2025, however, Paris residents with an annual or Liberté+ subscription will not be able to link their transit pass to Apple Wallet.

Apple, in other Paris-related developments, incorporated real-time transit data. While most individuals still utilize Citymapper or Bonjour RATP to navigate the city, it is now possible to view upcoming departures by tapping on a train station or bus stop. Apple will additionally incorporate 3D renderings of the Parisian venues for the summer Olympics.