Apple’s Wallet app on iPhone has offered built-in order tracking since iOS 16. But there’s a good chance you’ve never seen it before. Here’s everything you should know about how order tracking works, and why it’s so rare to see.
How order tracking works in Wallet
Apple’s quest to replace the physical wallet with its Wallet app on iPhone has had its share of successes and shortcomings.
One of the challenges of Wallet’s success is that it often depends on third parties signing on to Apple’s system. For example, U.S. states can offer digital IDs in Wallet, but not many have.
Another slow-burn Wallet feature has been order tracking.
In the top-right corner of the Wallet app there’s a box icon that provides, in theory, a one-stop hub for your various Apple Pay orders.
When it works, the feature is a great addition that lets you view:
- Order status, an estimated arrival time, or if there are any issues with your order
- Order number, purchase total, and the status of your payment
Unfortunately, it’s a potentially great feature that has barely gotten off the ground after two years.
Why Apple Wallet order tracking is so rare to see
In the two years that order tracking has been available, I’ve never been able to use the feature even once. That is, until today.
I heard from a reader who just saw their first compatible order in the Wallet app too.
Another member of the 9to5Mac team has had three compatible orders in the last two years.
Why is it so rare to see?
Apple says order tracking works for Apple Pay purchases made on iPhone, iPad, or Mac ‘from a participating app or website.’
When you make a purchase from a participating merchant, you can track orders in the Wallet app from your iPhone
The problem is, finding a ‘participating merchant’ is a tall task. Apple doesn’t provide a list of them, and like I mentioned, it’s not uncommon for users to have made Apple Pay purchases the last two years without encountering a ‘participating merchant’ even once.
Originally when the feature was announced, Apple had partnerships in place with big e-commerce players like Shopify.
These days, though, third-party shopping platforms tend to offer their own order tracking services that want to keep you in their ecosystem, not send you to Apple’s.
Wallet order tracking: wrap-up
Maybe the appearance of my first order in the Wallet app is a sign that Apple has brought new partners on board. Or maybe it’s just a coincidence.
In any case, it’s nice being able to track orders in one place via an elegant UI. Unfortunately, the idea of a one-stop hub is ultimately defeated when most of your orders don’t show up there.
What’s your history been like with Apple Wallet order tracking? Let us know in the comments.
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