Google Wallet’s New Feature Automatically Surfaces the Right Pass for You
Google Wallet is rolling out a handy update that significantly reduces the hassle of digging through a list of passes, tickets, or cards — by surfacing exactly the one you need based on your location. Android Central+1
How It Works
When you get near a relevant location — say an airport gate, concert venue, transit terminal, or even a store — Wallet will automatically push a one-tap notification. Tap it, and the correct pass (boarding pass, loyalty card, ticket, etc.) opens immediately, saving you from fumbling through a cluttered pass list at the last second. Android Central+2Android Authority+2
This feature was first teased at Google I/O 2025 and is now rolling out broadly. Android Central+1
What It Means for Users
- Fewer delays at gates, stores, or events — Wallet picks the right pass for you. Android Central+1
- Less stress when travelling or attending events — No more digging around for a ticket while in line or under pressure.
- Convenience with a trade-off — To trigger these “nearby pass” alerts, the app needs location access “all the time.” If you enable it, your device’s location may be tracked even when Wallet isn’t open. Android Central
What You Should Know
- The feature is optional — you’ll need to enable “Nearby Pass” notifications in Wallet, either for specific passes or globally. Android Authority+1
- Not all passes may support this yet — location-based pass detection depends on developers specifying geofenced locations for each pass. Android Authority+1
- As with any convenience feature tied to location, there’s a trade-off: it can impact your privacy and battery life.
