Open a PKPASS File on Android
Got a .pkpass ticket your Android phone won’t open? Pick the file below to see the pass and its barcode right in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
or drag it here
Free, no sign-up. The file is read on your device and never uploaded.
This .pkpasses bundle contains several passes. Pick one to view:
Back of the pass
Show raw pass.json
What problem this solves
A .pkpass file is the format Apple Wallet uses for boarding passes, event tickets, coupons and loyalty cards. Airlines, ticket sellers and shops often email it as an attachment. Your phone may have no app set to open this format, so tapping the attachment may show an error or do nothing. You know your ticket is in there, but you can’t see it.
Try opening the file with Google Wallet first. Since around 2024 some users report that recent versions of Google Wallet can import .pkpass files, but it depends on your region and device, and Google has no official documentation for it.
If that does not work, this page opens the file in your browser and shows the pass laid out the way it was designed, including the barcode, shown large enough to scan.
What you need to provide
- The .pkpass file itself, saved on your phone. In most email apps, tap the download icon on the attachment. It often lands in your Downloads folder, but this depends on the app.
- A modern browser, such as Chrome or Samsung Internet. You don’t need to install an app or create an account, and it’s free.
The file is unzipped and read on your phone. It is not sent to any server.
Steps
- Save the .pkpass attachment from your email or messaging app to your phone.
- Open this page in your browser.
- Tap Choose a .pkpass file above. Android’s file picker opens. Go to Downloads, or wherever you saved the file, and choose it.
- The pass appears with its colors, logo, images and main fields. Examples are the flight number, seat, gate, event name or member number.
- Open Back of the pass to see details such as terms, booking reference or contact info. If the pass has a relevant date or an expiration date, that is shown too.
- Tap Save as PNG to keep an image of the pass in your gallery. You can then show it later without opening this page again.
- At the gate or entrance, turn your screen brightness up and show the barcode.
On a Samsung phone: the steps are the same. If tapping the attachment in your email app or in My Files gives an error, save the file first. Then open this page in Samsung Internet or Chrome and choose the file from the folder where it was saved.
What the result is good for
- Getting through a gate or door. The barcode is rendered from the data inside the pass. QR, PDF417, Aztec and Code 128 are supported, and the barcode is shown large enough to scan. Check that it reads with another phone or a scanner app before you rely on it at a gate.
- Checking details. You can confirm the seat, gate, time, venue or booking reference before you leave.
- Keeping an offline copy. The PNG image works without internet, which is useful in airports or venues with poor signal.
- Sharing with a travel companion. You can send them the PNG of their pass.
- Technical inspection. Developers and support staff can view the raw pass.json to see exactly what the file contains.
When it works poorly
Be clear about what this viewer is. It shows a snapshot of the file you have. It is not a wallet.
- No live updates. Some passes are set up so the issuer can update them, for example after a gate change, delay or seat change. That only happens inside a wallet app that has the pass added. This viewer shows what was in the file when it was sent to you. Always check the airline’s app, website or departure screens for current information.
- No lock-screen or time/location reminders. Some wallet apps can bring a pass forward when you arrive at the airport or close to the event time. This viewer can’t.
- It doesn’t add the pass to Google Wallet or Apple Wallet.
- NFC passes. Some passes may be meant to be tapped on a reader via NFC rather than scanned. A browser view or image can’t do that.
- It can’t make an invalid ticket valid. The viewer shows what’s inside the file. Whether the barcode is accepted is up to the airline, venue or shop. Some operators may also refuse screenshots or require their own app.
- Damaged downloads. If the file was cut off during download, or your email app changed it, it may not open. Download it again from the original email.
How it differs from other options
| Option | What it is | Better than this viewer when… |
|---|---|---|
| This viewer | A web page that reads the file on your device | You just need to see the pass and barcode now, without installing anything |
| Wallet apps | Apps you install that can import passes | You want the pass stored alongside your other cards, with whatever updates or reminders the app supports |
| Google Wallet | Google’s wallet app on Android | The issuer offers an “Add to Google Wallet” link or button. Some users report that recent versions can also import the .pkpass file itself, depending on region and device, so it is worth trying first |
| Airline or event app | The issuer’s own app | You need real-time changes, rebooking, or a ticket with a rotating barcode |
| PDF ticket from the issuer | A printable version some airlines and sellers also offer | You want a paper backup or the venue asks for a printout |
| Renaming the file to .zip | A manual trick, since a .pkpass is a ZIP archive | You only need the raw text and images. This does not draw the barcode or the pass layout |
Before you use any option, look in the original email. Senders sometimes include an “Add to Google Wallet” button, a PDF, or a link to a web boarding pass. These alternatives are easy to miss.
More: the main PKPASS viewer page, or how toopen a pkpass file on Windows.
FAQ
Why can’t my Android phone open a .pkpass file?
.pkpass is Apple’s Wallet format, so your phone may have no app set to open it. The file itself is usually fine. Since around 2024 some users report that recent versions of Google Wallet can import .pkpass files, but it depends on your region and device, and Google has no official documentation for it. Try opening the file with Google Wallet first. If that does not work, open it in this viewer.
How do I open a pkpass file on Samsung?
Save the attachment to your phone first. Then open this page in Samsung Internet or Chrome, tap the upload area and pick the file from the folder where it was saved. The pass and barcode appear in the browser.
Can I add a .pkpass file to Google Wallet?
Possibly. Since around 2024 some users report that recent versions of Google Wallet can import .pkpass files, but it depends on your region and device, and Google has no official documentation for it. Try opening the file with Google Wallet first. If the sender offers an “Add to Google Wallet” link or button, use that. If neither works, or you are on a computer, use this viewer. It shows the pass but does not add it to any wallet.
Will the barcode scan at the airport or venue?
The barcode is generated from the data stored in the pass and shown large enough to scan. Check that it reads with another phone or a scanner app before you rely on it at a gate. Acceptance is still the operator’s decision. Turn your brightness up, and keep the airline or venue app as a backup.
Is my ticket uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is unzipped and read inside your browser on your own device. It never goes to a server.
Do I need to install an app or sign up?
No. The viewer is free and runs in your browser, with no account and nothing to install.
Can I use my pass without internet at the gate?
Yes, if you save it first. Tap Save as PNG while you have a connection, then show the image from your gallery. Remember that the image won’t reflect any later changes to your flight or booking.
Is it safe to open a .pkpass file?
A .pkpass file holds a JSON text file, images, a manifest and a signature. It is data, not an app that installs on your phone, and this viewer only reads it as data. As with any attachment, only open files from senders you expect.
Does this work on a computer too?
Yes. It runs in modern browsers on Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS as well as Android. See the Windows guide.