Network Programming in .NET

If you’ve ever booked multiple tickets with airlines like EasyJet, you might have encountered a mysterious file type: .pkpasses. Unlike the familiar .pkpass files that open seamlessly in Apple Wallet, these multi-pass bundles can leave you scratching your head when they won’t open directly on your iPhone.

Don’t worry – there’s a simple workaround that airlines don’t always explain clearly. Here’s everything you need to know about .pkpasses files and how to get your boarding passes into Apple Wallet where they belong.

What Are .pkpasses Files?

A .pkpasses file is essentially a container that holds multiple .pkpass files bundled together. When you book multiple flights or tickets in a single transaction, airlines like EasyJet use this format to deliver all your passes at once, rather than sending separate emails for each boarding pass.

Think of it as a digital envelope containing multiple boarding passes – convenient for the airline’s system, but not immediately compatible with your iPhone’s Wallet app, which expects individual .pkpass files.

The Problem: Why Won’t My .pkpasses File Open?

When you try to open a .pkpasses file directly on your iPhone, you’ll likely encounter one of these frustrating scenarios:

• The file downloads but nothing happens when you tap it
• You get an error message saying the file can’t be opened
• The Wallet app doesn’t recognize or import the passes

This happens because Apple Wallet is designed to handle individual .pkpass files, not the bundled .pkpasses format.

The Solution: Extract Individual Passes

Here’s the step-by-step process to extract your individual boarding passes from a .pkpasses file:

Step 1: Rename the File Extension

The key insight is that .pkpasses files are actually ZIP archives in disguise. To access the individual passes inside:

1. Save the .pkpasses file to your device (usually through email or download)
2. Rename the file extension from .pkpasses to .zip
3. You can do this using the Files app on iOS, or more easily on a computer

Step 2: Unzip the Archive

Once renamed to .zip, you can extract the contents:

• On iPhone/iPad: Use the Files app to tap the ZIP file and it will automatically extract
• On Mac/PC: Double-click the ZIP file or use your preferred extraction tool

Step 3: Find Your Individual .pkpass Files

Inside the extracted folder, you’ll discover multiple .pkpass files – one for each boarding pass or ticket in your booking. These files will typically be named with flight numbers, dates, or passenger names.

Step 4: Email the Passes to Yourself

This is where the magic happens:

1. Select each .pkpass file individually
2. Email them to yourself (or use AirDrop if working on a Mac)
3. Open the email on your iPhone
4. Tap each .pkpass attachment
5. Each pass will now open properly in Apple Wallet

Why This Method Works

By extracting and emailing the individual .pkpass files, you’re essentially doing what the airline’s system should have done in the first place – delivering each pass in a format that Apple Wallet can recognize and import.

The email step is crucial because it triggers iOS to properly recognize the MIME type and offer to open the file in Wallet. Simply copying the extracted .pkpass files to your phone via other methods might not work as reliably.

Pro Tips for Managing Multiple Passes

• Organize by trip: Create separate emails for outbound and return flights
• Check all details: Verify that each extracted pass contains the correct passenger and flight information
• Keep the original: Save the original .pkpasses file as a backup
• Test early: Don’t wait until you’re at the airport to discover pass issues

Alternative Solutions

If the manual extraction method seems too technical, consider these alternatives:

• Contact the airline: Many airlines can resend individual .pkpass files if you explain the issue
• Use airline apps: Download the airline’s official app, which often provides wallet-compatible passes
• Third-party tools: Some online services can convert .pkpasses to individual passes, though be cautious about uploading sensitive travel documents

When You Might Encounter .pkpasses Files

This file format is most commonly used by:

• Budget airlines like EasyJet for multi-leg bookings
• Travel booking platforms managing multiple tickets
• Event organizers selling group or family ticket bundles
• Transit authorities for multi-ride passes

Conclusion

While .pkpasses files might seem like an unnecessary complication, understanding how to handle them ensures you’re never stuck without access to your boarding passes. The rename-to-ZIP trick is a simple but powerful solution that turns a frustrating file format issue into a minor inconvenience.

Next time you receive a .pkpasses file, you’ll know exactly what to do: rename it to .zip, extract the individual passes, and email them to yourself. Your future self at the airport will thank you for taking these few extra minutes to ensure your passes are properly loaded in Apple Wallet.

Remember, technology should make travel easier, not harder – and now you have the knowledge to make sure it does.