If you live within the greater Toronto and Hamilton area (GTHA) and take the GO Train, you’ll be delighted to know that Apple and Metrolinx have just introduced the option to add your PRESTO card to Apple Wallet. Once done, you can use your iPhone or Apple Watch to tap to pay and ride.
The secure method allows you to add a digital version of the PRESTO card to your Apple Wallet app, then add funds to it that allow you to ride transit. Purchase and add funds to PRESTO in Wallet from the PRESTO app or directly from Wallet.
We’re thrilled to bring PRESTO to Apple Wallet, enabling GTHA residents and visitors alike to securely and seamlessly use their iPhone or Apple Watch to ride transit,” says Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s Vice President of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. “Whether they’re commuting to work or exploring the city, PRESTO in Apple Wallet makes the transit experience easy and convenient.”
Starting today, you can add a new PRESTO card to Wallet by opening the Wallet app, tapping the Add (+) button, selecting “Transit Card,” and following the instructions. If you already have a registered physical PRESTO card, add this to the iPhone or Apple Watch by selecting the card in the PRESTO app and following the onscreen instructions.
With PRESTO in Wallet, you don’t need to reload the card at transit hubs or participating retailers. You can also purchase passes like a TTC Monthly Pass from the PRESTO iOS app and add these to PRESTO in Wallet.
With Express Mode enabled, you can hold the iPhone or Apple Watch near a reader to ride transit in the GTHA without having to unlock or wake up their device. With power reserve on iPhone, if your device needs to be charged, you can still use it to ride transit.
If you prefer to pay as you go, add a credit and debit cards to Apple Pay and tap the iPhone or Apple Watch to ride transit with Express Mode, without the need to unlock or even wake up the device.
PRESTO in Wallet takes full advantage of the privacy and security built into iPhone and Apple Watch. PRESTO cards stored in Wallet are private and secure, and Apple says it never tracks your journeys. When you add a PRESTO card to Wallet, the card information is encrypted and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the information safely on the device. If your iPhone or Apple Watch is misplaced, the owner of the device can promptly use the Find My app to lock and help locate the device.
Note that PRESTO in Wallet is not accepted on OC Transpo in Ottawa. Adding a PRESTO card to Wallet requires iPhone SE (2nd generation) or iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16.4 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 4 or later with watchOS 9.4 or later.