Geofence triggers: the best-kept secret of the wallet pass

We’ve written before about why wallet passes are replacing traditional ticketing and membership cards. But simply moving a plastic card onto a glass screen isn't enough if the user experience is bad. We need to talk about the geofence feature, a functional tool that actually solves the awkward fumble at the gate or entrance.

What is a geofence trigger?

At its simplest level, a geofence is a virtual perimeter you site around a real-world location using GPS coordinates. When a user's device crosses that line, the phone wakes up to the context.

For Apple and Google Wallet passes, this functionality is incredibly practical. It allows the pass to surface on the lock screen the moment the user arrives where they need it. It’s not about flashing lights or gimmicks, it’s about having the boarding pass appear when you walk into the terminal, or the loyalty card popping up as you enter the coffee shop.

## How geofence triggers improve user experience

Removing the friction We’ve all been stuck behind (or have been!) that person at the turnstile. They’re frantically scrolling through emails, trying to find a PDF attachment while the queue builds up behind them. It kills the momentum of the space. With geofencing, there’s no searching. The pass is just there, ready to scan. It turns a stressful search into a smooth entry.

Context is everything Notifications are often annoying because they lack context. However, a notification that appears exactly when you are standing in front of the shop or the gate is actually useful. It allows brands to offer value, like a reminder to use a coupon at the specific moment it matters, rather than spamming a user when they’re at home sitting on the sofa.

The operational reality

Clearing the bottlenecks From an operations perspective, speed of access is the primary metric. If a fan or tenant has their credential ready ten metres before they hit the barrier, the throughput of that entry point increases significantly. We aren't just talking about convenience here, we’re talking about crowd management.

Reducing support noise When systems work automatically, people complain less. Event organisers and transport operators can use these location-based triggers to automate updates. If a train ticket activates upon entering the station, you have fewer confused passengers blocking the flow to ask staff for help.

Privacy without the tracking

We need to be clear about how this works because privacy matters. The "tracking" involved here is handled on the device itself by Apple and Google. The location data isn't constantly beamed back to a central server. The phone simply checks its own position against the coordinates hard-coded into the pass. It respects the user's data while still providing the utility they need.

Wallet passes for efficiency and flow

We're seeing this technology shift from a novelty to a standard expectation. Whether you run a gym, manage a stadium, or oversee an office block, your goal should be to get people inside with as little resistance as possible. Geofencing is a practical, effective way to make that happen.

Apple and Google Wallet passes are here to stay, and using them properly means using the hardware to its full potential.

How to get started

If you want to issue wallet passes in your business to reduce friction, we can help make that happen.

We'd love to discuss your project - Book a Demo Today

Contact us by email at hello@passflow.com