It’s about time for this to take place, considering Apple Wallet has supported transit cards for about six years in places like San Francisco (Clipper), Washington D.C. (SmarTrip), Los Angeles (TAP), and even Toronto (PRESTO).
- Virtual OMNY Cards: Expect to see a mobile OMNY card option (for regular riders and students) pop up in Apple Wallet sometime in the last quarter of 2025 (think October-December).
- MTA App Smarts: You’ll be able to manage this virtual card – check your balance, add funds – through the official MTA app.
- The Goal: The MTA wants these features mostly rolled out by December 2025.
Physical OMNY transit cards. | Image credit — MTA
Adding a dedicated OMNY card to Apple Wallet is something many NYC iPhone users have been waiting for. Sure, tapping your bank card worked, but managing a separate transit balance digitally has some real perks. No more tiny charges flooding your statement, and easier tracking via the MTA app.
Personally, I think this will definitely make the daily commute simpler, as there will no longer be a need to dig out a physical card. It finally brings NYC’s system up to speed with how other modern cities handle transit payments, making that final farewell to the MetroCard feel a bit more 21st century.
