What is a .pkpass file and how do you open it?
A .pkpass file is an Apple Wallet pass (the app was originally called Passbook). Airlines, cinemas, concert venues, shops and loyalty programs use it to send you boarding passes, tickets, coupons and membership cards that live on an iPhone or Apple Watch.
If you received one by email and you don't have an iPhone, your device probably can't open it. You can still view it with the online PKPass viewer, which runs in your browser.
What's inside a .pkpass file
Despite the extension, a .pkpass file is a ZIP archive. Unzip it and you'll find:
| File | Purpose |
|---|---|
pass.json | All the pass data: type, colors, text, dates, locations and the barcode content. |
icon.png, logo.png, strip.png, background.png, thumbnail.png… | The pass images, often in several resolutions (@2x, @3x). |
en.lproj/pass.strings, es.lproj/… | Translations of the text into each language. |
manifest.json | The fingerprint (SHA-1 hash) of every file, to detect changes. |
signature | The issuer's digital signature, made with a certificate issued by Apple. |
Because of the signature, a .pkpass file can't be edited: change any detail and Apple Wallet rejects it. There is also a .pkpasses format that bundles several passes into one file (for example, the boarding passes for a whole booking).
The five pass types
- Boarding pass: plane, train, bus or boat, with origin and destination.
- Event ticket: concerts, movies, theater, sports.
- Coupon: discounts and offers.
- Store card: loyalty and gift cards.
- Generic: membership cards, badges and everything else.
How to open a .pkpass file
- iPhone, Apple Watch and Mac: it opens straight in the Wallet app. Tap the attachment in Mail or Files and choose “Add”.
- Android: no built-in support. See how to open a .pkpass file on Android.
- Windows and Linux: no built-in support either. See how to open a .pkpass file on Windows.
- Google Wallet: it doesn't import .pkpass files directly, but there are workarounds. See how to get a .pkpass into Google Wallet.
Is it safe to open a .pkpass file?
A .pkpass file contains data and images, not programs, so opening it doesn't run anything on your device. Still, be wary of passes from unknown senders: the risk lies in any links they contain, just like in any email. The viewer on this site processes the file in your browser and never sends it to a server.
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