How to Set Up Suica on Apple Wallet (for iPhone users)
Adding Suica to Apple Wallet offers unmatched convenience for travelers in Japan, allowing seamless access to trains, buses, and even shops with just a tap of your iPhone. You don’t need to carry a physical card or worry about finding a ticket machine to top up. With Express Mode enabled, you can use Suica without unlocking your phone—even when it’s out of battery. This effortless integration makes it a must-have tool for anyone navigating Japanese cities efficiently.
Step-by-Step Setup
- Open Apple Wallet
Launch the Wallet app on your iPhone. - Add a Suica Card
- Tap the ”+” icon in the top right.
- Choose “Transit Card”, then select Suica (if you don’t see Suica, set your device region to Japan under Settings > General > Language & Region).
- Follow the prompts to create a new card or transfer an existing physical Suica.
- Add Funds to Suica
- You can load Japanese Yen using your credit/debit card registered with Apple Pay.
- Commonly, travelers start with ¥5,000 to ¥10,000 and top up as needed.
Tips for Using Suica Seamlessly
1. Enable Express Mode (Highly Recommended)
With Express Mode enabled, you don’t need to authenticate (Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode) or even unlock your phone when tapping the reader.
How to Enable Express Mode:
- Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay.
- Tap on your Suica card.
- Toggle on Express Transit Card and select Suica.
Bonus: Your phone doesn’t even need to be unlocked—or fully powered on (within limits). It will still work for a few hours after your phone dies thanks to power reserve.
2. Use It for More Than Transit
Suica is accepted at many:
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart)
- Vending machines
- Some restaurants and shops
Using Suica with the Shinkansen (Bullet Train)
SmartEX App Integration
- Download the SmartEX app to book Shinkansen seats.
- After booking, link your reservation to your Suica card in Apple Wallet.
- When boarding, just tap your phone—no paper ticket needed.
- You can top up through your Apple Wallet using a card—no need for ticket machines.
Using Suica on Apple Wallet When Your iPhone is Out of Battery
One of the most powerful features of using Suica with Apple Wallet is Power Reserve mode, which lets you use the Suica card even when your iPhone appears to be dead.
How It Works:
- Available on iPhone XS, XR, and newer models, Power Reserve keeps a tiny amount of power reserved specifically for transit cards like Suica.
- Even after your iPhone shuts off due to low battery, you can still tap your device on train gates or payment terminals for up to 5 hours.
Important Notes:
- The screen will be black, but the NFC chip still works if enough power is left in reserve.
- Express Mode must be enabled beforehand for this to function without unlocking your phone.
- This only applies to transit cards—other Apple Wallet items like credit cards won’t work in this mode.
⚠️ To be safe, avoid fully draining your battery if you’ll need to transfer or manage your Suica balance, as managing funds requires the phone to be powered on.
This feature ensures that even if your battery runs out, you won’t be stranded without transit access.