Recover Apple Wallet - Data Recovery Pit

Losing access to the Apple Wallet application can be devastating. After all, it’s a handy way to make payment using your Apple iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. Besides the convenience of paying, financial disaster looms. There are potentially hundreds or thousands of dollars (or whichever currency you use) on the line. Even worse, someone else might have gained access maliciously. While Apple has multiple security measures in place, it would be foolish to underestimate that person. Suffice it to say, users must resolve the problem as soon as possible. Therefore, it’s time we dive into how to recover Apple Wallet without delay.

Table of Contents

1. Unhide the Apple Wallet app

We know you might be confused by the term “unhide” but the first section should clarify things. The second one demonstrates how to go about reversing the process. Before you do, double-check Apple Wallet doesn’t appear when you swipe to the right and reach the last screen (App Library). If it doesn’t, do this:

Tap on Utilities within “App Library”.
Select the icon of a group of small apps.
Tap and hold Apple Wallet on the list.
Select Add to Home screen or drag it manually.

Note. If your icons aren’t organized in a particular order, the fastest way is to go to Settings → Tap General → Go to Reset. Select Reset Home Screen Layout.

An important fact about built-in Apple apps

Though the truth is you cannot delete many apps Apple built into their iOS operating system since its inception, things changed in 2020. You see, with the release of iOS/iPadOS 14, the tech giant permitted users to remove apps they rarely or never use from the home screen and the app drawer. While Apple Wallet is not among them, you can still hide it.

That means the app may still occupy some storage (unless you jailbreak your iPhone, that is), but at least it won’t be front and center. Consequently, you couldn’t have erased your Apple Wallet app by any means—it’s merely concealed and a download away from being uncovered.

Steps to show Apple Wallet app on the home screen

You must be relieved by what you just learned. Without further ado, let’s jump into unhiding the Apple Wallet application:

Open the Apple App Store app on your iOS or iPadOS smart device.
Search for “Apple Wallet” and open the eponymous app. You can’t go wrong here—the company is stringent about vetting apps.
Tap the cloud with a down arrow icon in the top right corner.
Wait for a brief download.
Launch Apple Wallet that was recovered to your home screen.

Tip. If you are using an Apple Watch, pair it with your iOS or iPadOS device. Apple Wallet will reappear (if it was hidden) without any further actions.

Allow Apple Wallet to appear

If the instructions above don’t pan out, don’t fret. Chances are, the app is already present in your device but merely forbidden from appearing. To revert that change, utilize the following steps:

Tap on Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Go to General.
Scroll down and tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Select Allowed Apps.
Find Wallet on the list.
Ensure there’s a green toggle switch next to it. If not, tap the switch to turn it on.
Restart your iPad or iPhone, and the Apple Wallet application should reappear.

2. Recover your old Apple Wallet passes (Situational)

Managed to restore access to Apple Wallet, only to discover some old tickets or boarding passes are missing. Are you, perhaps, using iOS 15? If so, the explanation is simple. Due to frequent complaints from users who had to delete the aforementioned data from the app manually after it expired, Apple automatized the procedure. To prevent data loss, passes and tickets are simply hidden from sight as soon as their validity expires.

Do the following to make outdated passes reappear in Apple Wallet:

Head over to Settings.
Scroll down and tap the option titled Wallet & Apple Pay.
Find the option named Hide Expired Passes. It’s enabled by default, indicated by the green toggle switch on the right-hand side.
Tap the toggle switch to turn the aforementioned option off.

3. Recover Wallet content after logging into Apple ID

We realize not everyone suffers from the same problem. Many times you are forced to format your Apple device, switch to a different one, or encounter an error during an iOS update. Thankfully, that’s what the Apple ID account is there for. Contrary to popular belief, Apple won’t store Wallet data on iCloud. Although they still keep it in the cloud, it’s completely separate for security reasons. Luckily, the company ties your Apple Wallet information to your Apple ID.

Unsurprisingly, you will have to authenticate yourself before you can gain access. The most radical part? You must reset your iOS or iPadOS device to factory settings or start anew on a separate device. Follow these steps to recover Apple Wallet after an iOS or iPadOS factory reset:

Do this to restore your Apple device to its original settings:
1. Tap on Settings.
2. Scroll down to General and tap it.
3. Go to Transfer or Reset iPhone (or iPad on iPadOS).
4. Tap on Erase All Content and Settings.
5. Select Continue then Erase iPhone (or iPad)
6. Enter your passcode or authenticate via Touch ID.
Your iPhone will restart. On the first screen after booting, swipe up and select your country or region.
Connect to the network, mobile data, or Wi-Fi. Set up a passcode, Touch ID, Face ID, and configure things as you see fit before reaching the backup screen.
Select Restore from iCloud Backup or a better-suited option.
Log in to your Apple ID. You can also tap on Set Up Later in Settings.
Depending on what you chose, you can import Apple Wallet data like this:
1. Logged in? Apple Wallet will be among the next screens.
2. Skipped? Open the Apple Wallet application once the phone boots to the home screen.
Enter a 3 or 4-digit verification code you chose when adding financial information to Apple Wallet the first time.

4. Reach out to Apple Support

If everything else fails, you should rely on the renowned Apple Customer Care. Keep in mind: the representatives are incapable of doing a lot in your stead, primarily because your information is encrypted. Luckily, they can still guide you every step of the way. You may contact Apple Support in a multitude of ways after selecting your location. Some include phone calls, e-mail, and visiting the nearest Apple Store.