Certain passes in Google Wallet are classified as private passes to provide extra protection for items that may contain sensitive data.
How private passes work
Unlike other passes, such as event tickets or transport passes, private passes:
- Include a 'private pass' label in the card details to easily help you identify them as a private pass.
- Might require you to verify that it's you to add, access and use them across Google services. You can do this with your fingerprint, PIN or other verification methods.
- Aren't used to personalise your Wallet experience by default.
- Aren't used across Google to do things like fill forms faster by default.
Learn more about how passes that are not classified as private passes are managed.
In Google Wallet, passes from a file or a photo may be classified as private depending on the information that they contain.
Pass from a file
When a pass is added from a file, the data on the pass is processed by Google to determine the pass type.
A pass from a file is classified as either:
- A boarding pass if the pass contains a valid boarding pass barcode
- A private pass to protect your privacy if the pass contains sensitive data
Google is continuously working to improve our classification methods and may expand on the types of classification as new methods are developed.
If you need help with adding a pass from a converted file to Google Wallet, learn how to manage items in Google Wallet.
Pass from a photo
You can create a pass in Wallet using a photo. Google uses data from the file or photo to determine the pass type and suggest pass details. If it contains sensitive data, Google classifies it as a private pass, which offers more privacy and security protections.