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How to open a .pkpass file on Android

.pkpass files are Apple Wallet passes, and Android doesn't recognize them: tap the attachment in Gmail and you get an error or a message saying no app can open it. Here's how to view the pass on an Android phone.

Option 1: open it in your browser, nothing to install

  1. Download the attachment. In Gmail, open the email and tap the download icon on the file. It's saved to your Downloads folder.
  2. Open the PKPass viewer in Chrome or your usual browser.
  3. Tap “Open pass” and pick the file from Downloads.

You'll see the pass just as it would look on an iPhone, with its QR, Aztec or PDF417 barcode, and you can flip it to read the details on the back. The file is processed on your phone: it's never uploaded to a server.

Tip: take a screenshot of the pass so you have it offline, and turn up the screen brightness when you need it scanned.

Option 2: ask for the pass in another format

Many airlines, cinemas and ticketing platforms offer the same pass in several ways. Check the email or the issuer's website for:

  • An “Add to Google Wallet” button.
  • A PDF boarding pass or ticket.
  • An official app that shows the pass.

For boarding or getting into an event, the official version is always the safest choice, especially if the pass can change (gate, seat, time).

Option 3: a pass app for Android

Google Play has third-party apps that import .pkpass files and store them on your phone, such as Pass2U Wallet or WalletPasses. They're handy if you get passes often. Before installing one, check the permissions it asks for and its reviews.

What about Google Wallet?

Google Wallet can't open .pkpass files directly. There are workarounds, covered in how to get a .pkpass into Google Wallet.

Common problems

I can't find the file when picking it

Look in the Downloads folder or use your phone's Files app. If you downloaded it from a different email app, it may be saved in that app's own folder.

The file is called .zip or .pkpass.zip

Some apps change the extension when downloading. That's fine: the viewer also opens .zip files that contain a pass.

It says the file is not a valid .pkpass

Make sure the whole file was downloaded (not the email preview) and try again. If it still fails, ask the issuer to send it again.

Got the file? Open it now in the viewer: it runs in your browser and the pass is never uploaded to a server.

Open a .pkpass file

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