Digital Wallets - All you need to know about adding your card to your mobile phone wallet

Digital wallets have rapidly taken off in Ireland over the last number of years. Whether it’s online or in person via your mobile phone or smart watch, digital wallets have become a handy way to make purchases, manage tickets, boarding passes and much more.

Digital wallets reduce the need to carry cash or physical cards. The Irish Government have also mentioned their intentions to roll out a digital wallet to store digital versions of important documents such as birth certs, driving licence, health insurance etc. It's clear digital wallets are here to stay, but how do we best use them?

Continue reading to discover what a digital wallet is and how they work.

What is a digital wallet and how does it work?

A digital wallet (or e-wallet) is an electronic device that securely stores users' payment information, tickets, coupons, and passwords for use in any shop, website or app. It’s usually added to your mobile phone or smart watch so you can make payments without bringing out your physical wallet.

To use your digital wallet, you will need to open the wallet app using multi factor authentication to confirm your identity. This could be done by using the mobile phones facial recognition feature, fingerprint id or a PIN code. For online spending, you will then follow the journey as normal but select payment via your digital wallet app rather than physical card. In person spending meanwhile is done using wireless technology such as Near Field Communication (NFC) where you tap the top of your mobile phone off the card reader in the store. Payments happen in seconds much like when using a bank card and you can see your payments history on the digital wallet app on your mobile phone once the payment is authorised.

Different types of E-wallets

Two of the most popular digital wallets come from Apple and Google and are available on most smart phones. Adding your debit or credit card to your mobile phone’s digital wallet allows you to make payments fast, simple and safe, while shopping in person, online and using an app.

• Apple Wallet
  The Apple Wallet allows you to pay via Apple Pay using your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and Mac.
   
• Google Wallet
  Google Wallet uses Google Pay which also allows fast and secure payments via your smart phone, smart watch or tablet.

You can use Google or Apple Pay anywhere that offers contactless payments. Just look for the Contactless or Apple Pay or Google Pay icon. You can make payments for any amount with Google or Apple Pay, although some retailers may not support transactions above €50 when using a digital wallet.

Benefits of a digital wallet

There are many benefits of a digital wallet which include:

• Convenience - no need to carry physical cards or cash.
• Security – extra layers of security make using an E-wallet safer.
• Easy access to cash or credit from your mobile phone at any time.
• No spend limit - you are not limited to using digital wallets for spending under €50 like you are when you tap a physical card.
• Speed - Check out faster online without the need to find your physical card.
• Easy card replacement – if you lose your card and need a new one, the new card is updated in real time in the digital wallet, so therefore there is no need to wait for the new card to come in the post.
• Everything is stored digitally - the increasing use of digital wallets for storage allows you to keep everything on the app, reducing the chances of losing important documents.
• Ability to see your transaction history in the E-wallet app on your mobile phone at any time

Ways to use a digital wallet on your mobile phone or smart watch

The features offered by digital wallets mean you can use them in a number of different ways:

• Add your credit card to your digital wallet for immediate access to credit.
  For example, Avant Money Credit Cards can easily be added to your Apple or Google digital wallet allowing you to spend almost everywhere.
• Add your debit card to your digital wallet so you do not have to carry physical cards or cash around with you to make payments.
• When you are taking a flight, load your boarding pass to your digital wallet so you don’t have to print them out.
• Add gift cards and supermarket loyalty cards to your digital wallet to make shopping easier.
• Load any event tickets to your E-wallet so you don’t risk losing them.
• Pay in store and online when shopping using your digital wallet.

How to set up a digital wallet on your mobile phone

It’s relatively simple to set up a digital wallet on your mobile phone. For Apple users, just open the Apple wallet app on your mobile phone, tap the plus (+) icon at the top right hand corner of the screen and tap the type of card you wish to add. Then enter the details. Google Wallet users need to follow a similar process by opening the Google wallet app and tap the plus in the top right corner and enter your card details. Once you have completed the steps on screen, your card will be added to your digital wallet.

Avant Money Credit Card customers can also add their One Card Credit Card to their digital wallet for more simple spending. The easiest way of doing this is by downloading the Avant Money app, then selecting the ‘Cards’ section and clicking ‘Add to Apple Wallet’ for Apple Pay or “Add to G Pay” for Google Pay. Once the steps on screen are completed, your card will be added to your digital wallet.

Need some more help? Check out adding credit cards to Apple Pay and adding credit cards to Google Pay.

Keeping your digital wallet secure

It is important to stay safe and protect your digital wallet from fraud as credit card and other financial information can be stolen just like with a physical wallet. Never share your one-time-passcode (OTP) with anyone. Always use multi factor and biometric authentication on your device and digital wallet. If your mobile phone has been stolen or you suspect you may have been a victim of fraud, ensure you contact the authorities, and your provider right away if they are kept on your device. If it’s possible, try to freeze your card as soon as possible. You can also try disabling your digital wallet remotely from another device.

Avant Money is now officially a branch of Bankinter, discover Bankinter’s lending products and see what we have to offer.

Variable interest rate 16.8%. Typical APR 22.9% (Annual Percentage Rate) includes government stamp duty of €30.

Representative example: assuming credit limit of €1,500 repaid in 12 equal monthly instalments, total amount repayable is €1,666.50. Total cost of credit is €166.50.

Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply. Avant Money Credit Cards are only available to customers over the age of 18 and resident of Republic of Ireland. Rates correct as of 20th March 2026 and are subject to change.

Bankinter S.A., trading as Avant Money, is authorised by the Banco de España in Spain and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for consumer protection rules.