Overview
When you install a loyalty card in Apple Wallet on your iPhone, you'll automatically receive push notifications from businesses to keep you updated on your rewards, special offers, and important reminders. These notifications appear directly on your lock screen, making it easy to stay connected with your favourite businesses.
Tip: Push notifications help you get the most value from your loyalty cards without having to constantly check them manually. You're notified at just the right moments—when there's something relevant for you.
What you'll receive:
Updates when you earn points, stamps, or rewards
Reminders to visit and use your loyalty card
Birthday wishes and special offers
Notifications about balance changes or reward availability
Exclusive member-only promotions
How Push Notifications Appear on iOS
On Your Lock Screen
When a business sends you a notification, it appears on your iPhone's lock screen just like notifications from other apps.
What you'll see:
The business name or loyalty card name at the top
A brief message from the business
The time the notification was received
A small icon representing the card or business logo
Example notifications:
"Thanks for your visit! You now have 8 out of 10 stamps ⭐"
"You're only 2 stamps away from your free coffee!"
"Happy Birthday! We have a special gift waiting for you 🎉"
Note: The notification stays on your lock screen until you tap it or clear it, so you won't miss important updates even if you don't see your phone immediately.
While Using Your iPhone
If your iPhone is unlocked when a notification arrives:
Banner notification: A banner appears at the top of your screen and disappears after a few seconds
Notification Centre: All notifications are saved in your Notification Centre (swipe down from the top of the screen) where you can review them later
Opening and Viewing Notifications
From Your Lock Screen
When you see a loyalty card notification on your lock screen:
Tap the notification once
Your iPhone may ask you to authenticate (Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode)
Apple Wallet opens automatically and displays your loyalty card
Check the top-right corner of the card for any updates:
New point balance highlighted in a coloured bubble
Number of stamps earned shown
Reward status updates
Special offer badges
Info: The highlighting makes it easy to spot exactly what changed since you last opened the card. The highlighting disappears after you view it, so the next time you open the card, only new changes will be highlighted.
From Notification Centre
If you missed a notification:
Swipe down from the top of your iPhone screen to open Notification Centre
Scroll to find loyalty card notifications
Tap any notification to open the card in Apple Wallet
View the updated information in the top-right corner
What Happens When You Open the Card
Changes are highlighted:
Points added: "You earned 50 points!" appears in the top-right corner
Stamps earned: A bubble shows "1 new stamp" or your progress
Rewards unlocked: "Free item available!" highlighted
Balance changes: Updated balance with the change amount shown
Types of Notifications You Might Receive
Transaction Notifications
Sent immediately or shortly after you make a purchase or earn points.
Examples:
"Thanks for your visit! +1 stamp earned"
"You've earned 100 points toward your next reward"
"Purchase successful: 5 stamps remaining until free item"
What to do: Tap to view your updated balance and see your progress toward your next reward.
Progress and Reminder Notifications
Sent to encourage you to return or remind you about your loyalty status.
Examples:
"You're halfway to your free coffee! ☕"
"Missing you! Come back and earn 2X points this week"
"Don't forget—you have 2 free items ready to redeem!"
What to do: Tap to view your card and plan your next visit to claim rewards or continue earning.
Special Occasion Notifications
Sent for birthdays, anniversaries, or special member events.
Examples:
"Happy Birthday Sarah! 🎉 Enjoy a free gift on us"
"You've been a member for 1 year! Here's a special thank you"
"VIP Early Access: New menu items available now"
What to do: Tap to view your special offer and visit the business to redeem it (check expiration dates).
Promotional Notifications
Sent about limited-time offers, sales, or exclusive deals.
Examples:
"Flash Sale! 20% off for loyalty members today only"
"Weekend Special: Triple points on all purchases"
"New rewards added to your programme!"
What to do: Tap to view details and take advantage of the promotion before it expires.
Managing Push Notification Settings
Turning Notifications On or Off
You control whether you receive push notifications from loyalty cards.
To enable or disable notifications:
Open Settings on your iPhone
Scroll down and tap Notifications
Scroll down and select Wallet
Toggle Allow Notifications on (green) or off (grey)
When notifications are enabled:
✅ You receive all updates from businesses via loyalty cards
✅ Notifications appear on lock screen and in Notification Centre
✅ Banners appear when iPhone is unlocked
When notifications are disabled:
❌ You won't receive any push notifications from loyalty cards
❌ You'll need to manually open Wallet to check for updates
❌ You might miss time-sensitive offers or rewards
Customising Notification Style
Change how notifications appear:
Go to Settings → Notifications → Wallet
Choose your preferences:
Lock Screen: Show notifications on lock screen (recommended: ON)
Notification Centre: Save notifications for later viewing (recommended: ON)
Banners: Show brief pop-ups when phone is unlocked
Temporary: Banner disappears automatically after a few seconds
Persistent: Banner stays until you dismiss it
Sounds: Play a sound when notification arrives (optional)
Badges: Show red notification badges on Wallet app icon (optional)
Show Previews:
Always: Show full message on lock screen (convenient)
When Unlocked: Show message only after authentication (more private)
Never: Show only "Notification" without message preview (most private)
Recommended Settings
For maximum benefit:
✅ Allow Notifications: ON
✅ Lock Screen: ON
✅ Notification Centre: ON
✅ Banners: Temporary (less intrusive)
✅ Show Previews: When Unlocked (balance of convenience and privacy)
For privacy-focused users:
✅ Allow Notifications: ON (to receive updates)
✅ Show Previews: Never (message hidden until you unlock)
❌ Lock Screen: OFF (notifications only visible after unlocking)
Notification Privacy and Security
What Businesses Can See
Businesses do NOT have access to:
❌ Whether you opened their notification
❌ When you dismissed or deleted their notification
❌ Your notification settings or preferences
❌ Any other apps on your iPhone
❌ Your location (unless you've separately granted location permissions)
Businesses only know:
✅ That the notification was successfully delivered to your device
✅ When you earned points/stamps (from in-store transactions)
✅ Your loyalty card balance and transaction history
Your Information is Protected
Info: Apple Wallet security features ensure notifications are delivered securely through Apple's servers, your card data is encrypted and stored safely on your device, and businesses cannot access your iPhone or personal information beyond what you've shared for the loyalty programme.
If you're concerned about privacy:
Review which loyalty cards you have installed
Remove cards you no longer use
Adjust notification preview settings to hide message content on lock screen
Disable notifications for specific cards while keeping others active
Troubleshooting
"I'm not receiving any notifications"
Check these settings:
Notifications enabled for Wallet:
Settings → Notifications → Wallet → Allow Notifications (must be ON)
Do Not Disturb is off:
Swipe down from top-right (Control Centre) and check the moon icon isn't active
Or: Settings → Focus → Do Not Disturb (should be OFF)
Card is properly installed:
Open Wallet app and verify the loyalty card is there
If missing, reinstall the card using the link from the business
Business notifications are enabled:
Some cards have their own notification settings within the card details
Open the card in Wallet → tap the three dots (•••) → check notification settings
iPhone storage:
Low storage can prevent notifications; free up space if needed
Settings → General → iPhone Storage
"Notifications appear but don't show changes when I tap them"
Possible causes:
Network connection: Your iPhone needs internet to load updated card information
Check your Wi-Fi or mobile data connection
Try refreshing by pulling down on the card
Card sync delay: Changes can take a few moments to sync
Wait 30 seconds and pull down to refresh the card
Close and reopen Wallet
Outdated card: The card may need to be updated
Remove the old card from Wallet
Reinstall it using the latest link from the business
"Notifications are delayed or arrive hours late"
Common reasons:
Low Power Mode: Delays background data to save battery
Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode (turn OFF for immediate notifications)
Poor network connection: Notifications require internet connectivity
Ensure Wi-Fi or mobile data is active and working
Move to an area with better signal
iOS bugs: Occasionally iOS has notification delays
Restart your iPhone (fixes most temporary issues)
Update to the latest iOS version (Settings → General → Software Update)
"I want notifications from some cards but not others"
Warning: Unfortunately, iOS doesn't support per-card notification settings. It's all or nothing for Wallet app notifications.
Workarounds:
Option 1: Keep Wallet notifications ON, but manually delete unwanted notifications as they arrive
Option 2: Remove cards from Wallet that you don't want notifications from (you can reinstall them later if needed)
Option 3: Contact businesses directly and ask if they can reduce notification frequency for your account
"Notifications show on lock screen even when phone is locked"
This is normal behaviour and ensures you don't miss important updates.
To make notifications more private:
Settings → Notifications → Wallet
Change Show Previews to "When Unlocked" or "Never"
Note: This hides the message content until you authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode. The notification will still appear, but the message itself will be hidden until you unlock your phone.
Best Practices for Managing Notifications
Stay Organised
Review regularly:
Check Notification Centre daily and clear old notifications
Remove loyalty cards you no longer use from Wallet
Update your contact information with businesses to receive relevant offers
Prioritise what matters:
Keep cards from businesses you visit frequently
Remove cards from businesses you rarely visit
Reinstall cards when needed (you won't lose your points/stamps if the business has your information)
Maximise Value
Don't ignore notifications:
Many contain time-sensitive offers or rewards
Tap notifications promptly to see what changed
Check expiration dates on special offers
Take action:
Redeem rewards before they expire
Respond to feedback requests (some businesses reward participation)
Use birthday offers and special promotions within validity periods
Balance Convenience and Privacy
Find your comfort level:
Enable notifications for businesses you trust and visit often
Disable lock screen previews if you're concerned about shoulder surfing
Review your installed cards monthly and remove inactive ones
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will notifications drain my iPhone battery?
Push notifications use minimal battery power. Receiving a few notifications per day from loyalty cards has negligible impact on battery life. If you're concerned, monitor battery usage in Settings → Battery to see actual impact.
Q: Can I get notifications without installing the card in Wallet?
No. Push notifications only work when the loyalty card is installed in Apple Wallet. If you haven't installed the card, you won't receive notifications, though businesses may still reach you via email or SMS.
Q: What happens if I delete a notification without opening it?
Nothing is lost. The information is still on your loyalty card in Wallet. You can open Wallet at any time to see your current balance and any updates. Deleting the notification just clears it from your lock screen.
Q: Can I schedule "quiet hours" for loyalty card notifications?
Yes, use Focus modes (Do Not Disturb, Sleep, Work, etc.). Configure Focus in Settings → Focus, and notifications will be silenced during your specified times. Note that this affects ALL notifications, not just loyalty cards.
Q: Do notifications work when I'm travelling internationally?
Yes, as long as your iPhone has internet connectivity (Wi-Fi or international data roaming). Notifications use data, so ensure you have a connection. Some delays may occur depending on network quality.
Q: If I turn off notifications, will I miss important updates?
You won't miss any information—you'll just need to manually check your cards by opening Wallet. Your balances, stamps, and rewards are always visible in the Wallet app whether or not you receive notifications.
Q: Can businesses send me notifications at any time?
Yes, businesses control when notifications are sent. However, most businesses schedule notifications thoughtfully (during business hours, not late at night). If you receive inappropriate timing, contact the business to provide feedback or disable Wallet notifications.
Q: Will I be notified every time I use my card?
This depends on how the business configured their notifications. Typically you'll receive confirmation after transactions that add stamps or points, but not necessarily for every single scan. Some businesses send notifications only for milestones (e.g., "You've earned a reward!") rather than every transaction.
Q: What if I get too many notifications from loyalty cards?
You have several options: disable Wallet notifications entirely, remove cards from businesses that message too frequently, or contact the business directly to request fewer notifications. Some businesses may offer opt-out options for certain notification types.
Q: Can I customize which types of notifications I receive?
iOS doesn't allow granular control over notification types for Wallet. It's all notifications on or all notifications off. For more control, contact the business directly—some may allow you to adjust notification preferences in your account.
Q: What if a notification shows an incorrect balance or reward status?
This can happen due to sync delays. Try refreshing the card by pulling down while viewing it in Wallet. If the issue persists, contact the business directly as they control the card data.
Q: Do I need mobile data to receive notifications?
Notifications can be received over Wi-Fi or mobile data. You need some form of internet connection for push notifications to arrive. Without connectivity, notifications will be delayed until you reconnect.
Tip: Need help with your loyalty card? Contact the business directly using the information on your card, or reach out to Apple Support for iPhone-specific technical issues.