Ticketmaster tickets in Apple Wallet cannot be transferred directly through the wallet itself

Apple Wallet stores your Ticketmaster tickets as digital passes, but the wallet app has no built-in transfer feature. To send a ticket to someone else, you must use Ticketmaster's own transfer tools outside of Apple Wallet. The process involves logging into your Ticketmaster account on a web browser or the Ticketmaster app, finding the event, and using Ticketmaster's transfer function — not the Apple Wallet app.

This matters because many people assume they can share tickets the way they share other wallet items. You cannot. Ticketmaster controls who can attend, and only Ticketmaster's system tracks that transfer. Apple Wallet is just the display layer.

Key Takeaways

  • Ticketmaster tickets stored in Apple Wallet must be transferred through Ticketmaster's website or app, not through Apple Wallet itself.
  • You need your Ticketmaster account login and access to the original order to initiate a transfer.
  • The person receiving the ticket needs a valid Ticketmaster account and a valid ID that matches the name on the transferred ticket.
  • Transferred tickets appear in the recipient's Ticketmaster account and can then be added to their Apple Wallet if they choose.
  • Transfer fees and timing vary by event and venue — some events allow transfers up to the day of the show, others have earlier cutoffs.

Step-by-step transfer through Ticketmaster's website

Open a web browser and go to ticketmaster.com. Sign in with the account that holds the original ticket order. Navigate to "My Events" or "My Tickets" — the exact label depends on which Ticketmaster site you are on (US, UK, Canada, etc.), but it is always in the account menu. Find the event you want to transfer and click on it.

Look for a button or link labeled "Transfer" or "Send Ticket." Click it. Ticketmaster will ask you to enter the recipient's email address and select which ticket(s) you are sending if the order contains multiple tickets. You can transfer one ticket, some tickets, or all tickets from an order. Enter the recipient's email and confirm. Ticketmaster sends them an email with a link to accept the transfer.

The recipient must click the link in that email and log into or create a Ticketmaster account. They will be asked to confirm they want to accept the tickets. Once they accept, the tickets move to their Ticketmaster account. They can then add those tickets to their own Apple Wallet by opening the Ticketmaster app or website on their device and selecting "Add to Apple Wallet."

Transfer through the Ticketmaster mobile app

Open the Ticketmaster app on your phone and sign in. Tap "My Events" or the account icon, then find the event with the ticket you want to transfer. Tap the event to open the ticket details. Look for a "Transfer" or "Share" button — on most versions this appears as an icon near the ticket itself or in a menu below the ticket image.

Tap "Transfer." The app will prompt you to enter the recipient's email address. Some versions of the app also let you choose whether to transfer the ticket when ready or schedule the transfer for a specific date. Enter the email, confirm, and Ticketmaster sends the transfer email to that person. The rest of the process is the same as the website method — they receive an email, accept it, and the ticket moves to their account.

What the recipient needs to do

The person receiving the ticket will get an email from Ticketmaster with the subject line "You've received a ticket transfer" or similar. That email contains a link they must click. If they do not already have a Ticketmaster account, they will be prompted to create one. They will need a valid email address and a password.

Ticketmaster will then ask them to confirm acceptance of the transfer. Some events require the recipient to provide a valid ID that matches the name on the ticket — this is the venue's or promoter's rule, not Ticketmaster's choice. If the ticket is in your name and you are transferring it to someone else, they may be asked to show ID at the gate that matches the name on the ticket. Check the event details on Ticketmaster to see whether ID matching is required.

Once the recipient accepts, the ticket appears in their Ticketmaster account under "My Events." They can view it there, or they can add it to Apple Wallet by opening the Ticketmaster app, finding the event, and tapping "Add to Apple Wallet." The ticket then shows up in their Wallet app alongside their other passes.

Transfer fees and timing restrictions

Ticketmaster charges a transfer fee for most events, though the amount varies. Some events have no transfer fee, some charge a flat amount (often $5 to $10 USD), and some charge a percentage of the ticket price. You will see the fee before you confirm the transfer. The fee is deducted from your Ticketmaster account or charged to your payment method on file.

Not all events allow transfers, and not all events allow transfers all the way up to showtime. Some venues or promoters set an earlier cutoff — for example, transfers might close 48 hours before the event. Check the event details on Ticketmaster before you attempt a transfer. If the transfer button does not appear, the event does not allow transfers or the transfer window has closed. In that case, you will need to contact Ticketmaster customer service to see if an exception can be made.

Troubleshooting common transfer problems

If the recipient does not receive the transfer email, ask them to check their spam or junk folder — Ticketmaster emails sometimes land there. If it is not there, the email address you entered may have been misspelled. Go back into your Ticketmaster account, find the transfer, and look for an option to resend or cancel it. If you can cancel it, do so and start a new transfer with the correct email address.

If the recipient tries to accept the transfer and gets an error message, they should try a different web browser or clear their browser cache and cookies. If the problem persists, they can contact Ticketmaster support directly. Ticketmaster's support chat and phone line are available through ticketmaster.com.

If you transferred a ticket but it is still showing in your Apple Wallet, that is normal — Apple Wallet does not automatically remove it. The ticket is no longer valid for entry (the recipient's copy is the real one), but it may take time for Apple Wallet to sync and remove it. You can manually delete it from your Wallet by swiping up on the ticket and tapping "Remove."

What happens if the recipient does not accept

If the recipient does not click the acceptance link within a certain time period, the transfer expires and the ticket returns to your Ticketmaster account. Ticketmaster does not specify the exact expiration window on its public pages, but it is typically 7 to 14 days. Once the transfer expires, you can try again with the same person or transfer to someone else.

If you need to cancel a transfer before the recipient accepts it, log into your Ticketmaster account, find the pending transfer, and look for a "Cancel" option. Canceling a pending transfer returns the ticket to your account when ready. You will not be refunded the transfer fee if you cancel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer a ticket that is already in my Apple Wallet?

Yes. The ticket being in your Apple Wallet does not change the transfer process. You still go to Ticketmaster.com or the Ticketmaster app and use the transfer function there. Apple Wallet is just showing the ticket — it is not controlling it.

What if the recipient does not want to add the ticket to Apple Wallet?

They do not have to. Once they accept the transfer, the ticket is in their Ticketmaster account. They can view it there, take a screenshot, or print it. They only need Apple Wallet if they prefer to have it in their wallet app for convenience at the gate.

Can I transfer a ticket to someone who does not have a Ticketmaster account?

Yes. When you enter their email address, Ticketmaster will send them a link. If they do not have an account, they will be prompted to create one as part of accepting the transfer. They just need a valid email address and a password.

What if the event requires ID matching and the recipient's name does not match the ticket?

You cannot transfer a ticket to someone whose name does not match if the event requires ID verification at the gate. You would need to contact Ticketmaster support to see if the name on the ticket can be changed, but most venues do not allow this. Check the event rules before you attempt the transfer.

Is there a way to transfer a ticket without paying the transfer fee?

Not through Ticketmaster's standard transfer system. Some events have no transfer fee, so check the event details first. If a fee applies and you want to avoid it, your only option is to contact Ticketmaster support and ask if they can waive it — they sometimes do for specific circumstances, but there is no may provide.