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• Apple Wallet’s Biggest Updates Over the Years

• Adding Physical Card Information to the Wallet App

• Track More Orders in the Wallet App

• Taking the Wallet to the Next Level

Since launching Apple Pay in 2015, Apple has steadily worked toward its vision of eliminating the traditional wallet. While progress has been made, certain limitations have remained.

With iOS 26, Apple takes another major leap forward by enabling users to store physical card details and significantly enhance order tracking capabilities. These improvements make the Wallet app more functional than ever before, and I find myself relying on it even more now.

Apple Wallet’s Biggest Updates Over the Years

Originally introduced in iOS 6 as Passbook, the app evolved into what we now know as Wallet by iOS 9, following Apple's expansion of supported card types. A pivotal moment came in 2015 with the debut of Apple Pay on newer iPhone models, marking a turning point in digital wallet adoption.

In 2019, Apple broadened the app’s scope further by introducing the Apple Card—a credit card built around the security and ease of use inherent to Apple Pay, managed entirely within the Wallet interface.

Fast-forward to 2022, when users gained the ability to add driver’s licenses (in participating states), home keys, and even car keys directly into Wallet. That same year, Apple introduced Apple Pay Later—an installment payment option similar to Klarna, allowing users to split purchases into multiple payments.

However, this service was discontinued in 2024 and replaced with support for third-party "buy now, pay later" providers integrated directly into the Wallet app.

Now in iOS 26, Apple advances its mission by letting users securely save and access physical card numbers right inside the Wallet app. Additionally, package tracking gets a major upgrade, supporting a much wider range of orders regardless of how they were purchased.

Adding Physical Card Information to the Wallet App

We’ve all experienced this: a website or app doesn’t accept Apple Pay, forcing you to manually enter your card details. This often means searching through your bag or room just to locate your wallet and the correct card.

While it may seem minor, not having immediate access can delay transactions or discourage purchases altogether.

Thankfully, iOS 26 allows you to input and store physical card information directly in the Wallet app for quick reference. It works similarly to viewing card details for an Apple Card.

To add your physical card’s data, open the Wallet app, select your payment card, tap the “…” button, then navigate to Card Details > Card Information and choose “Add Physical Card Information.” Once added, you’ll see a small icon showing a card with numbers in the top-right corner of the screen.

Authentication via Face ID or Touch ID is required both during setup and each time you view the stored details. After verifying your identity, you can either scan the card using your camera or enter the details manually.

The process mirrors adding a new card—inputting your name, card number, expiration date, and CVV. You also have the option to add a custom label for easier identification.

Once saved, you can retrieve the information anytime you need it. Even better, if you're checking out on a site that doesn't support Apple Pay, your iPhone can auto-fill the form with the stored details.

This data syncs across all devices signed in to the same Apple ID, so whether you’re on your iPad or Mac, you don’t need to grab your phone. Just head to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay to access your stored card info.

Previously, only Apple Card or bank-linked cards allowed such access. Now, any credit or debit card can be fully documented in the app.

This feature proves especially useful when you’ve left your wallet behind but still need card details—for instance, when placing a phone order requiring verification.

Thanks to this update, I've stored every one of my cards in Wallet, confident in their protection through biometric authentication and seamless cross-device accessibility.

Track More Orders in the Wallet App

Order tracking debuted in iOS 16, offering a centralized place to monitor deliveries from Apple Pay purchases. It brought together tracking numbers, delivery dates, and other key details without needing to visit multiple sites.

Yet adoption felt limited. Despite making numerous Apple Pay purchases over three years, only a single order—placed in December 2022—appeared in my tracking list. Surprisingly, even orders from the Apple Store app failed to show up.

But in iOS 26, Apple finally delivers on the promise by expanding compatibility beyond Apple Pay. Now, the Wallet app can track nearly any online purchase, thanks to integration with Apple Intelligence.

If you have an Apple Intelligence-enabled device, your iPhone will automatically detect purchase confirmation emails and import them into the Order Tracking section of Wallet.

Orders aren’t limited to shipped items—they include pickup orders too. For example, a photo printing order I placed at CVS showed up clearly marked as “ready for pickup,” rather than “out for delivery.”

The system securely scans your inbox, identifying relevant messages and organizing them into unified order summaries. When you receive an email saying your package is out for delivery, the Wallet app updates accordingly—and continues reflecting changes as new updates arrive.

This has been incredibly helpful for Amazon orders. Since Amazon doesn’t support Apple Pay, my past orders never appeared before. But because Amazon sends detailed shipping emails, the Wallet app now automatically tracks each stage—from order placement to final delivery.

Beyond status, the app displays recipient name, shipping address, order ID, and associated email. All related messages are listed at the bottom of the order summary, showing exactly which emails were used to populate the data.

Occasionally, there are delays—like when a package is delivered but the app hasn’t updated. In those cases, you can manually mark the order as complete, and the change will reflect immediately.

Completed orders remain archived in the Order Tracking section and can be browsed by month, making it easy to look back on past purchases.

For years, Wallet’s order tracking felt underutilized due to poor merchant participation. But now, with automatic syncing from email and real-time updates, it's become a reliable hub for monitoring shipments.

I no longer need to juggle between apps or check multiple websites—I can see everything in one place.

Taking the Wallet to the Next Level

The Apple Wallet has long offered convenience, from fast Apple Pay transactions to storing loyalty cards. The latest enhancements push it even further—by supporting full card details for any credit or debit card and vastly improving order tracking through intelligent email parsing.

Although occasional mismatches occur based on email content, the overall experience is smooth and highly practical. Being able to view all shipment updates in one location saves time and reduces stress.

Likewise, having instant access to my card information across all devices adds a new level of ease, especially when traveling or shopping remotely.

Apple’s journey to replace the physical wallet hasn’t been flawless, but each update brings it closer to reality. With iOS 26, the Wallet app isn’t just a digital container—it’s becoming an essential part of everyday life.

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