For years, the Apple Wallet app has been one of Apple’s most underrated services. Most people think of Apple Pay when they hear about Apple Wallet, but it is so much more. It stores everything from credit cards and transit cards, has replaced keys, helps send money, and has honestly replaced the need to carry both a physical wallet and keys. Most of these features have been quietly added over the years, and most people are just not aware of them. Here are five Apple Wallet features I use all the time that most people don’t know about.

Be sure to check out our hands-on video that accompanies this article, which demonstrates each feature in action and shows you exactly how to set them up on your iPhone.

Apple Cash and iMessage Payment

Most people are not aware that you can get a digital Apple Cash card for free in the Wallet app as long as you have an Apple ID. It is essentially a debit card that you can load with cash from your bank and use via Apple Pay just like any other credit or debit card. But this also enables peer-to-peer payment via iMessage. For many users, this has replaced the need to use apps like Venmo, Cash App, and even Zelle.

The Apple Cash card is FDIC-insured, so you have peace of mind if something does happen. The only thing this cannot do natively is withdraw cash at an ATM. But everything else allows it to work exactly like another digital debit card. Setting it up is straightforward: open the Wallet app, tap the plus sign, and follow the prompts to create an Apple Cash account. Once activated, you can send money directly within iMessage by typing the amount and authorizing with Face ID. The money is transferred instantly and can be used for purchases or sent to other users.

Tap to Cash

Another feature that the Apple Cash card unlocks is the new Tap to Cash. Tap to Cash lets you pay someone directly on their iPhone with your iPhone. No other hardware or payment terminal needed. Here is how to do it: open the Wallet app, tap on the Apple Cash card, tap on Send or Request, tap on Tap to Cash, select the amount, double-tap your lock button, then tap your phone to the recipient’s phone. The recipient then receives the money directly on their Apple Cash card.

This completely removes the middleman and lets you take payment with no fees. This is a game-changing feature because it makes peer-to-peer transactions as simple as tapping two iPhones together. The animation that plays during the transfer adds a touch of delight to the experience. Unlike traditional payment methods that require scanning a QR code or entering a phone number, Tap to Cash uses NFC to establish a secure, direct connection. It’s ideal for splitting a dinner bill or paying a friend back for a shared expense.

Express Transit Cards

This feature has been out for a few years, but there are a ton of people who are just unaware of it. Most modern metro public transport stations allow you to Tap to Pay via Apple Pay to get on the subway or bus. Most people pull their phone out, double-tap the lock button, select their card of choice, tap the terminal, then go through. That is way too much friction and causes traffic jams for people in a rush. The Express Transit card lets you select a dedicated card that is always used at these terminals. It reduces the number of steps to pay to zero.

You simply go to Settings, tap Wallet & Apple Pay, scroll down to Express Transit Card, and select the card you want to use. Now, every time you tap to pay at a subway terminal, your designated card will be used without needing to use Face ID. This is incredibly convenient in busy stations where speed matters. Many transit systems worldwide now support Express Transit, including London’s Tube, New York’s MTA, and Tokyo’s rail network. The feature also works with some bus systems and even certain toll roads, making daily commuting seamless.

Physical Credit Card Info in Apple Wallet

This was a huge update for me personally in the Apple Wallet. Prior to this feature, when you added your cards to the Apple Wallet, the physical credit card information was nowhere to be found, and Apple only showed the encrypted virtual card number used for transactions. So if you needed the actual credit card number, you would need to go get the physical card. This is no longer the case! Now you can save your actual credit card information in case you need to use it later.

Here’s how: open the Apple Wallet app, select a saved card, tap the three dots in the top right, then view or add physical card details securely behind Face ID. This was a major reason I could leave credit cards at home. If Apple Pay does not work at a particular merchant, I can open my Wallet app and find my card number to make a manual transaction without the physical card. Absolute win! This feature also stores the card’s expiration date, CVV, and billing address, so you have everything you need for online purchases or phone orders.

Digital Car and Home Keys

Apple Wallet has also become my digital keychain. Between my car key and home key, there are days when I leave the house with nothing but my iPhone. I have a smart lock that works with Apple HomeKit, so all I have to do is tap my iPhone to the doorknob, and it unlocks. I no longer need to carry keys. The same goes for my car. I do not need a key fob to get into my car or use basic controls like locking and unlocking. The proximity features for auto-locking and unlocking both the house and car keys have been outstanding and extremely reliable.

Setting up a digital car key requires a compatible vehicle from manufacturers like BMW, Kia, or Hyundai. Once added in the Wallet app, you can tap your iPhone on the door handle to unlock and start the engine. Home keys work with smart locks that support Home Key, such as those from Schlage, Yale, and August. The NFC-based interaction is instantaneous, and you can even share keys with family members via iMessage. This shift from physical keys to digital ones not only reduces bulk in your pockets but also adds a layer of security—if your phone is lost, you can remotely disable the keys via iCloud.

Apple Wallet is no longer just a place to store your credit cards. It’s becoming a digital wallet for payments, access, identity, and overall daily convenience. The best tech products are the ones that just work, are reliable, and you almost forget you are using them. And this is just the beginning—Apple continues to expand the Wallet’s capabilities with support for driver’s licenses, student IDs, and event tickets. For those ready to ditch their physical wallets, these five features are a great starting point. Do you use your Apple Wallet? Has it replaced your physical wallet? Let’s discuss below.

Source: 9to5Mac News