How do I open a .pkpass file on iPhone?

Tap the .pkpass file from an email attachment, download link, or message. Apple Wallet opens automatically and shows a preview with an Add button. Do not try to open it from within the Wallet app directly.

Can I see what is inside a .pkpass file?

Yes. Rename the file from .pkpass to .zip and extract it on a computer. Inside you will find pass.json with the pass data, manifest.json with file hashes, a signature file, and image assets like icons and logos.

Can I create my own .pkpass files without being a developer?

Yes. NeatPass can create valid, cryptographically signed .pkpass files from PDFs, photos, barcodes, and screenshots using on-device AI. No developer account or coding required.

Do .pkpass files work without internet?

Yes. Once a .pkpass file is added to Apple Wallet, the pass is stored locally on your device. You can access it and have its barcode scanned without any internet connection.

What Is a .pkpass File? Apple Wallet Pass Format Explained

Q: What is a .pkpass file?

A .pkpass file is a ZIP archive with a .pkpass extension. It contains JSON metadata, images, and a cryptographic signature that Apple Wallet uses to display passes like event tickets, boarding passes, loyalty cards, and coupons.

You downloaded a file ending in .pkpass and have no idea what to do with it. Maybe it came from an airline, a ticket vendor, or a loyalty program. Your iPhone might have opened it automatically, or it might be sitting in your Downloads folder doing nothing.

A .pkpass file is the native file format for Apple Wallet passes. Understanding what it is and how it works helps you troubleshoot issues, know what data it contains, and even create your own passes from existing tickets and cards.

The .pkpass File Format

A .pkpass file is a renamed ZIP archive. If you change the file extension from .pkpass to .zip on a computer, you can extract it and see individual files inside. Apple designed this format specifically for Wallet passes. It contains everything Wallet needs to display a pass: the layout, text fields, colors, barcode data, images, and a cryptographic signature proving the pass is authentic.

When you tap a .pkpass file on your iPhone, Wallet reads the archive, verifies the signature, and shows you a preview. If everything checks out, you can add it to Wallet with one tap. For more on that process, see how to add passes to Wallet.

What Is Inside a .pkpass File

Every .pkpass file contains the same core components. Here is what you will find if you rename one to .zip and extract it:

pass.json

The main file. Contains the pass layout, text fields, colors, barcode data, dates, and organization name in JSON format.

manifest.json

A list of every file in the archive along with its SHA-1 hash. Wallet uses this to verify nothing was tampered with after signing.

signature

A PKCS#7 cryptographic signature created with the issuer's Apple-issued certificate. This proves the pass came from a trusted source.

Image assets

Logo, icon, strip, and thumbnail images in multiple resolutions. These give the pass its visual appearance in Wallet.

Some passes also include localization folders (like en.lproj) with translated strings for different languages. The entire structure is compact, typically between 10KB and 500KB.

Types of Passes in .pkpass Files

The pass.json file inside specifies what kind of pass it is. Apple Wallet supports several pass types, each with a different layout:

Event tickets

Concert tickets, sports games, conference badges. Includes date, venue, seat info, and a scannable barcode.

Boarding passes

Airline and transit passes with departure/arrival info, gate numbers, and flight details.

Store cards

Loyalty cards, membership cards, and rewards programs. Can include a barcode and point balance.

Coupons

Discount codes, promotional offers, and gift cards with expiration dates and redemption barcodes.

There is also a generic pass type for anything that does not fit the above categories. To learn more about what Wallet can do, see Apple Wallet features explained.

How .pkpass Security Works

Every .pkpass file is cryptographically signed. The issuer creates the pass, signs it with a certificate issued by Apple, and the signature is embedded in the file. When you open the file, Wallet checks that the signature matches the contents and that the certificate is still valid. If anything fails, Wallet refuses to add the pass.

This means you cannot edit a .pkpass file and have it still work. Changing even one byte invalidates the signature. For more on how pass data stays secure, see the NeatPass privacy FAQ.

Why signing matters

The signature prevents tampering. Nobody can modify your boarding pass barcode or change the seat number on your event ticket after the pass is signed. When NeatPass creates passes, it sends only a cryptographic hash to the server for signing. Your actual pass content never leaves your device.

How to Open .pkpass Files

Opening a .pkpass file on iPhone is straightforward. Here is how it works depending on how you received it:

From email or messages

Tap the .pkpass attachment directly. Wallet opens a preview showing the pass details. Tap Add to save it to Wallet.

From a download link

Tap the link in Safari. The file downloads and Wallet shows the pass preview automatically. If it does not, find the file in Downloads within the Files app and tap it.

From the Files app

If the .pkpass file is saved locally or in iCloud Drive, open Files, navigate to the file, and tap it. Wallet handles the rest.

If the file will not open, the signature might be invalid or the certificate expired. See fixing .pkpass files that will not open for detailed troubleshooting steps.

Turn any card into a Wallet pass

NeatPass makes it easy to convert any ticket, pass, or loyalty card to Apple Wallet.

Try NeatPass Free

Creating .pkpass Files Without Code

Traditionally, creating .pkpass files required an Apple Developer account, server infrastructure, and knowledge of the PassKit framework. That is fine for airlines and large companies, but not practical for someone who just wants their gym card in Wallet.

NeatPass handles the entire process on your iPhone. It uses on-device AI powered by Apple's MLX framework to extract barcodes and text from PDFs, photos, and screenshots, then creates a valid, signed .pkpass file. You have six different import methods to work with.

Share or import your source

Send a PDF, photo, or screenshot to NeatPass through the Share Extension, Camera, Photo Library, or File Picker.

AI extracts the data

On-device AI identifies barcodes, text, dates, and other relevant information. Everything is processed locally. Your images never leave your phone.

Customize and add to Wallet

Adjust the pass design, colors, and fields as needed. NeatPass creates a cryptographically signed .pkpass file and adds it directly to Wallet.

The AI model runs entirely on your device using the GPU. Learn more about how the AI model works.

NeatPass supports all major barcode formats including QR, Aztec, PDF417, Code 128, and more. See the full list of supported barcode formats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Create your own Wallet passes

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Your Pass Format, Decoded

A .pkpass file is not as mysterious as it looks. It is a ZIP archive with structured data, images, and a digital signature that Apple Wallet knows how to read. Most people encounter them through email attachments or download links from ticket vendors, airlines, and loyalty programs.

If you have cards or tickets that did not come as .pkpass files, NeatPass can create them for you. The resulting passes are real .pkpass files, cryptographically signed and fully functional in Wallet, even completely offline.