Mobile wallet gift cards are digital gift cards that customers can install directly into Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Once saved, the card lives inside the native wallet app on their phone, always visible, instantly accessible, and ready to use in-store or online.

Unlike plastic gift cards or emailed codes, wallet-based gift cards appear on the lock screen when relevant. They update in real time and support push notifications that drive timely action. Customers can redeem them using a barcode, QR code, or tap to pay.

No extra app downloads. No complex logins. No friction.

With Badge, you can create and deliver fully branded gift cards that are easy to distribute, track, and personalize. Whether you're sending rewards, running a promotion, or replacing legacy formats, mobile wallet gift cards help you increase redemption, engagement, and ROI.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to:

• Launch mobile wallet gift cards with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet

• Deliver digital gift cards through links, QR codes, or APIs

• Improve redemption rates with real-time updates and push notifications

• Use Badge to modernize your gift card program and move faster

Let’s dive into what makes wallet-based gift cards so effective and how they’re changing the way brands connect with customers.

What is a Mobile Wallet Gift Card?

A mobile wallet gift card is a digital pass that can be stored inside Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Instead of receiving a plastic card or an emailed code, your customer gets a secure, branded card delivered straight to their phone. They can redeem it in-store or online using a barcode, QR code, or NFC tap.

Once installed, the gift card becomes a living asset. It can:

• Appear on the lock screen when the user is near your store or during a promotion

• Update automatically with new balances or offers

• Trigger location-based push notifications without requiring an app

• Match your brand’s design and messaging in the wallet

This makes the gift card more accessible, more engaging, and more effective than older formats. And, when combined with membership and loyalty programs becomes, gift cards become a valuable engagement channel to existing and potential customers

Why Mobile Wallet Gift Cards Outperform Plastic and Email-Based Formats

Most brands still rely on physical gift cards or send codes through email. But these options often get lost, ignored, or forgotten. Mobile wallet gift cards solve that problem by meeting customers where they already are: their phones.

Here’s how wallet-based gift cards compare to other formats:

Mobile wallet gift cards deliver on customer expectations for mobile-first shopping, tap-to-pay convenience, and personalized rewards, without requiring app downloads or complex login flows.

Why Mobile Wallet Gift Cards Drive Higher Redemption and ROI

Gift cards are valuable marketing tools, but traditional formats limit their effectiveness. Plastic cards are easily misplaced. Email codes get buried. Customers forget to use them. That leads to low redemption rates and missed revenue.

Mobile wallet gift cards reverse that trend. They stay visible, accessible, and relevant; boosting engagement and increasing ROI.

1. Visibility That Drives Redemption

Mobile wallet gift cards appear when they matter most. Customers see them:

• On the lock screen when they’re near your store

• At the top of their wallet app

• Instantly when they open Apple Wallet or Google Wallet

This visibility turns passive recipients into active users, improving both activation rates and repeat engagement.

2. Push Notifications That Prompt Action

With Badge, you can send push notifications to gift card holders. These alerts appear directly on the lock screen and can include:

• Reminders about unused balances

• Location-based nudges to redeem nearby

• Limited-time promotions to drive urgency

Wallet-based push notifications outperform email and SMS, helping your message reach users at exactly the right moment.

3. Built for Mobile-First Shoppers

Consumer behavior is mobile-first. Wallet-based gift cards are designed to match. They offer:

• One-tap installation from a link, QR code, or email

• Barcode or QR code redemption at checkout

• Integration with loyalty programs, mobile messaging, and payments

By aligning with how customers already shop and pay, wallet gift cards remove friction and increase follow-through.

Why This Shift Matters Now

The global gift card market has grown rapidly, from $320 billion in 2017 to more than $510 billion by 2025. But despite this growth, many brands still use outdated delivery methods that limit performance.

Customers expect mobile-first convenience. In the U.S., 43% of gift card transactions are now digital. Mobile web engagement for gift cards rose 9% year-over-year. Brands that modernize their gift card experience are seeing higher redemption, better data, and more repeat usage.

Mobile wallet gift cards are no longer optional. They’re essential for any brand looking to connect with today’s mobile shoppers.

Launch Mobile Wallet Gift Cards with Badge

Badge makes it easy to design, deliver, and track mobile wallet gift cards across Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Whether you're sending personalized rewards, running a seasonal campaign, or replacing plastic cards entirely, Badge gives you the tools to:

• Create branded gift cards with dynamic design

• Distribute through email, QR codes, or secure URLs

• Track redemptions and customer behavior in real time

• Send smart, wallet-based push notifications

If you’re ready to unlock the full potential of digital gifting, mobile wallet gift cards powered by Badge are the fastest way to start.

👉 Talk to us to launch your branded mobile wallet gift card program today.

Badge Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a mobile wallet gift card?

A mobile wallet gift card is a digital gift card that customers can save directly to their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Once installed, it stays visible on their phone, updates in real time, and can be redeemed using a barcode, QR code, or tap-to-pay functionality at checkout.

How do mobile wallet gift cards work?

Mobile wallet gift cards are delivered as digital passes that install into the native wallet app on a customer’s phone. After installation, the card can trigger push notifications, update balances, and appear on the lock screen based on time or location. This makes them more accessible and engaging than plastic cards or emailed codes.

Can I add a gift card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet?

Yes, customers can add a gift card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet in one tap. With platforms like Badge, the card is delivered via link, email, or QR code and installs instantly—no extra app download required.

How do you redeem a mobile wallet gift card?

To redeem a mobile wallet gift card, customers simply open their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet app, tap the card, and scan the QR or barcode at checkout. Some cards also support NFC tap-to-pay functionality for compatible POS systems.

Are mobile wallet gift cards better than physical gift cards?

Yes. Mobile wallet gift cards offer key advantages over plastic cards, including real-time updates, lock screen visibility, wallet-based push notifications, and easier redemption. They are also more difficult to lose or forget and integrate seamlessly with modern mobile behavior.

How do I send a digital gift card that installs into a mobile wallet?

Using a platform like Badge, you can send mobile wallet gift cards via a secure link, email, SMS, or QR code. The recipient taps "Add to Wallet" to install it directly into Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. This creates a fast, branded, mobile-first experience for gifting or incentives.

What are the benefits of mobile wallet gift cards for brands?

Mobile wallet gift cards help brands improve redemption rates, personalize engagement, and track real-time performance. They also support branded design, CRM integration, and wallet-based push notifications that drive timely action.

Do mobile wallet gift cards support push notifications?

Yes. With Badge, you can send wallet-based push notifications to cardholders, even if you don’t have a mobile app. These messages can include reminders, location-based nudges, or time-sensitive offers—delivered directly to the lock screen.

Can I use a gift card with Apple Pay or Google Pay?

Some mobile wallet gift cards support tap-to-pay via Apple Pay or Google Pay, depending on the setup and POS system. Most gift cards, however, use QR codes or barcodes for redemption and do not require a payment app to be used.

Is there an API to create Apple Wallet or Google Wallet gift cards?

Yes. Badge offers an API that allows developers to programmatically create, distribute, and update Apple Wallet and Google Wallet gift cards at scale. You can automate campaigns, track redemptions, and personalize content—all through a mobile-first platform.

How do I improve my gift card redemption rate?

Switching from physical cards or emailed codes to mobile wallet gift cards is one of the most effective ways to improve redemption rates. Wallet cards stay visible, send push notifications, and support real-time balance updates that keep users engaged and ready to redeem.