Membership programs are only as strong as the experience they deliver. Your members expect more than plastic cards, forgotten passwords, or outdated portals. They want instant access, real-time rewards, and a mobile-first experience.

Digital membership cards in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet meet those expectations. With just one tap, members can unlock perks, check their status, and receive timely updates directly from their lock screen.

No downloads. No logins. Just seamless engagement.

Whether you're running a customer loyalty program or launching a branded membership experience, Badge gives you the tools to design and deploy wallet-based cards that drive retention and simplify engagement.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to:

• Design a branded digital membership card using Badge

• Personalize the experience with tiers, QR codes, geolocation, and expiration rules

• Sync your data via API or CSV upload to power real-time updates

• Increase adoption with strategic CTAs and smart install flows

• Engage users with high-performance push notifications built into the wallet

By the end, you’ll be ready to launch a mobile wallet membership program that drives engagement, simplifies your workflow, and fits seamlessly into your existing stack.

1. How to Design a Digital Membership Card Template with Badge

Before issuing digital membership cards with Badge, you’ll start by creating a pass template. This template defines how your card will look and behave inside Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, and it generates a required passTemplateId for issuing cards via API or the no-code platform.

You can build this template using the Badge Pass Template Editor, a visual tool where you configure layout, branding, and data fields. Every membership card is built on a template—whether you're launching a loyalty tier, fan club pass, or employee ID.

Key Elements of a Digital Membership Card Template

A well-designed card balances branding with real-time data. Here’s what a typical setup might include, like the CatchMax Fan Club card:

Use Custom Attributes whenever a field should reflect user-specific data. This enables personalized, real-time updates synced to your CRM or database.

You can also add information to the back of the card, such as program terms, customer support links, or contact information. Like the front, these fields support dynamic content via Custom Attributes.

2. Enhancing Digital Wallet Membership Cards with Native Wallet Features

Digital membership cards do more than replace plastic. They unlock new ways to engage members across their journey. With Badge, you can enhance every card with built-in wallet functionality like expiration rules, location-based prompts, and multi-card grouping.

These features are optional, but they help you deliver a smarter and more responsive membership program that feels personalized at every step.

Set Expiration Rules with Custom Attributes

You can add expiration dates in the Features tab of the Pass Template Editor. When a membership card expires:

• The barcode becomes grayed out

• The card moves to the Expired section in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet

Since expiration dates often vary by user, such as for trial periods or annual renewals, it’s best to use a Custom Attribute for this field. Once connected, Badge dynamically assigns the right expiration date based on your data.

Trigger Geolocation-Based Messages (iOS Only)

With Geolocation, you can display relevant messages on a member’s lock screen when they arrive at specific physical locations. This is especially useful for events, in-store perks, or location-based offers.

You can set up to 10 custom locations per pass template, each with its own lock screen message. For example:

• “Welcome to the Arena. Show your membership for early access.”

• “You’re near our store. Flash this card to get 10 percent off.”

Note: Geolocation alerts are currently available only for iOS users.

Group Multiple Passes with a Single Link

If your program includes multiple card types such as a membership card, offer card, or referral card, you can issue them together in one download.

Badge automatically groups these cards in the mobile wallet, showing them as a swipe-able row. To enable this, use the passGroups API endpoint or a custom integration to generate a Multiple Pass Download Link. These links can be added to:

• Onboarding or post-signup flows

• Email campaigns or in-app messages

• Membership portals or reward dashboards

This makes installation seamless and keeps your cards organized and easy to access.

3. Connecting Your Data for Dynamic Membership Card Content

To create a truly personalized membership experience, your digital membership cards need to reflect real-time member data. With Badge, you can connect your data source to populate and update Custom Attributes like member name, status, join date, or referral code. This happens automatically and at scale, without manual work.

Start with CSV Upload for Testing

If you're just getting started or testing your setup, CSV upload is the fastest way to assign values to Custom Attributes.

• Each row in the CSV represents a membership card

• Each column maps to a field in your pass template

This approach lets you preview how cards will look with different member data before you set up automation.

Use userPassUpsert for Real-Time API Workflows

For production environments or high-volume use cases, the userPassUpsert API endpoint lets you automate card creation and updates. With this endpoint, you can:

• Issue cards as soon as a new member signs up

• Populate details like name, tier, and join date based on your source of truth

• Retrieve a unique Pass Download Link for every user

You can embed these download links into:

• Membership confirmation pages

• Onboarding emails with instructions

• Member portals or in-app messages

If a member upgrades their tier or their status changes, Badge automatically keeps their pass updated. This ensures that each card reflects the latest data from your CRM or membership system.

4. Creating Strong CTAs to Maximize Membership Card Adoption

Even the most well-designed digital membership cards only deliver value if your users actually install them. That’s why strong, well-placed calls to action are essential. With Badge, every card comes with a smart Pass Download Link that makes installation simple across devices.

Use Platform-Specific Wallet Buttons

Always include Add to Apple Wallet and Add to Google Wallet buttons wherever your members interact with your program. Each button should link to the member’s unique Pass Download Link.

These links automatically detect device type:

• On mobile, users see a one-tap button to add the pass directly

• On desktop, the link displays a QR code for easy scanning and mobile installation

You can use these CTAs in:

• Sign-up confirmation pages

• Post-purchase or membership activation flows

• Lifecycle or onboarding emails

• In-app messages or member dashboards

By placing install prompts at key moments, you reduce friction and increase adoption.

Follow Apple and Google Wallet Button Guidelines

Both Apple and Google provide official design requirements for wallet CTAs. Following these ensures platform compliance and builds trust with your users.

Make sure to:

• Use official logos and button assets

• Respect minimum size and spacing rules

• Stick to approved button copy like “Add to Apple Wallet” or “Save to Google Wallet”

Refer to Apple's Wallet design guidelines and Google Wallet's design guidance for the most up-to-date specs.

Reduce Friction with Smart Placement

Place the Pass Download Link in easy-to-reach spots across your customer journey. Great examples include:

• Confirmation modals after sign-up

• Brief pop-up messages that appear after form completion

• Emails or SMS messages with clear copy like: “Add your membership card to Apple or Google Wallet. No app needed.”

The more seamless the experience, the higher your wallet adoption and ongoing engagement.

Unlike a traditional membership card app, digital cards in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet do not require installation, updates, or logins. This creates a faster path to activation and retention.

5. Sending Push Notifications to Boost Membership Engagement

Once your digital membership cards are installed, push notifications become a powerful way to keep members engaged. Whether you are promoting new perks, encouraging renewals, or reminding members to use their card, wallet notifications help you stay top of mind.

Unlike traditional app notifications that require explicit opt-in, wallet push notifications are enabled by default. When a user installs your membership card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, they automatically allow notifications. This leads to higher visibility, stronger open rates, and more reliable delivery, right to the lock screen.

Target Campaigns with Custom Attributes

With Badge, you can send notifications to all members or segment your audience using Custom Attributes. This allows you to personalize messaging based on:

• Membership tier, such as Gold or Silver

• Join date or renewal timeline

• Event attendance or location

• Referral activity or engagement behavior

To enable segmentation, make sure the correct Custom Attributes are added to your pass template and synced with your connected data source.

Schedule or Trigger Campaigns with Precision

You have full control over when and how to send wallet-based notifications. Badge supports:

• Immediate sends for flash perks or last-minute reminders

• Scheduled sends for recurring campaigns or timed offers

Notifications are tied to the published pass template, so only members with that specific card installed will receive the message. This keeps outreach targeted and ensures that each push delivers value at the right moment.

Why Badge Makes Digital Wallet Membership Simpler

Building a modern membership experience should not require a complex tech stack or weeks of development. With Badge, you get everything you need to create, connect, install, and engage across a single platform.

Whether you are using the no-code editor or integrating with the API, Badge gives you the flexibility to launch digital membership cards, Apple Wallet loyalty cards, and Google Wallet loyalty programs without the need for custom development. Here’s what you can do with ease:

• Design branded, dynamic membership cards for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet

• Sync real-time member data using Custom Attributes

• Share smart install links that work across devices and channels

• Engage members through lock screen push notifications that drive action

If you need help along the way, our team is here to support you.

Want to simplify your customer loyalty program and boost engagement with mobile-first cards?

👉 Talk to our team and see what you can build with Badge.

Badge Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I add a membership card to Apple Wallet?

Once a digital membership card is issued through Badge, users can tap the Add to Apple Wallet button linked to their unique Pass Download Link. On iPhone, this opens the Wallet app and adds the card instantly. No login, app download, or manual entry is required.

How do I add a membership card to Google Wallet?

After receiving their digital card from Badge, Android users can add it to Google Wallet by clicking the “Add to Google Wallet” button. This link opens the Wallet interface, where users can preview the pass and confirm the install. The process is quick and seamless, with no app download or login required.

Can I issue digital membership cards without writing code?

Yes. Badge includes a no-code editor where you can design and publish membership cards for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. You can also manage data, install links, and campaigns directly from the dashboard. Developers can use APIs for advanced automation, but it is not required for launch.

How can I personalize membership cards for each user?

Badge supports Custom Attributes, which allow you to personalize each pass with user-specific data such as name, membership tier, join date, or referral code. These values can be uploaded via CSV or synced automatically using the userPassUpsert API.

Do wallet passes support push notifications?

Yes. Digital membership cards created with Badge support push notifications by default. You can send messages to all members or specific segments based on Custom Attributes. Notifications can be triggered in real time or scheduled ahead of key moments like renewals or events.

What is the difference between digital membership cards and apps?

Unlike traditional membership apps, digital membership cards live inside Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. They do not require users to install a new app, log in, or update anything manually. Cards are easy to access from the lock screen and support real-time updates, location-based triggers, and smart notifications.