iOS 16: Track Packages in Apple Wallet

Yes, iOS 16 lets you track eligible online orders directly in the Apple Wallet app, but only if the retailer or shipping carrier supports Apple’s “Find My” order tracking integration. When it works, you get a live map, push notifications, and delivery updates right on your iPhone’s Lock Screen, without needing to open a separate tracking app or website.

What This Feature Actually Does

Apple introduced package tracking in Wallet as part of iOS 16, expanding the app beyond credit cards, boarding passes, and tickets. It works through Apple’s Find My network and a partnership with Shopify, which powers online stores for thousands of independent brands. When you buy from a participating Shopify merchant, the order can appear automatically in the Wallet app on your iPhone.

Once the order is in Wallet, you can tap it to see a map with the package’s live location, the estimated delivery date, and a timeline of recent scans. You also get push notifications when the package ships, when it’s out for delivery, and when it arrives. The key difference from standard carrier tracking is that it uses the Find My network’s crowd-sourced Bluetooth location data, so you can see the package’s position even when it’s inside a delivery truck or between major sorting facilities.

How to Set It Up

There’s no app to download and no manual entry. The setup is automatic, but it only works under specific conditions. Here’s what needs to happen:

You must have an iPhone running iOS 16 or later (the feature is also available in iOS 17 and 18).
The merchant must use Shopify’s platform and have the “Order Tracking” feature enabled in their store.
You must check out using Apple Pay, or be signed into the same Apple ID on the merchant’s site that you use on your iPhone.
Your iPhone must have Bluetooth and Location Services turned on, because the Find My network relies on them.

When all these conditions are met, the order appears in the Wallet app automatically, usually within a few hours of purchase. You don’t need to add it manually. To find it, open the Wallet app and look under the “Orders” section, which is below your cards and passes.

How to Track an Order Step by Step

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
Swipe down or scroll to the Orders section.
Tap the order you want to track. It shows the merchant name, item, and order number.
Tap Track Package to see the live map and delivery status.
Enable notifications if prompted, so you get updates on the Lock Screen.

If you don’t see an Orders section, either you haven’t made a qualifying purchase yet, or the merchant doesn’t support the feature. You can also check your order status by tapping the order and selecting “View in App” or “View on Website,” which opens the merchant’s own tracking page.

Why It Doesn’t Work With Every Package

The biggest misconception is that Apple Wallet can track any package from any carrier. It cannot. The feature is tied to the Shopify platform, not to UPS, FedEx, or USPS directly. If you buy from a large retailer like Amazon, Walmart, or Target, their orders will not appear in Wallet, even if they use Apple Pay. Amazon has its own tracking system, and Walmart has its own app.

Even among Shopify stores, the merchant must opt in to the “Order Tracking” feature. Some smaller shops disable it to reduce support requests or because they don’t want to share real-time location data. Also, international shipments may not show the live map if the carrier doesn’t participate in the Find My network.

Another limitation: the feature only works for orders placed after you update to iOS 16. Older orders from before the update won’t appear retroactively.

What to Do If Your Order Doesn’t Appear

If you’ve made a qualifying purchase and it’s not showing up, try these fixes in order:

Wait a few hours. The order often appears after the merchant processes it, not instantly at checkout.
Check your Apple ID. Make sure you’re signed into the same Apple ID on the merchant’s site and on your iPhone. If you used a different email at checkout, the order won’t link.
Force quit and reopen Wallet. Sometimes the app needs a refresh.
Restart your iPhone. This re-establishes the Find My network connection.
Contact the merchant. Ask if they have “Order Tracking” enabled in Shopify. If they don’t, there’s nothing you can do on your end.

If none of these work, the order simply isn’t supported. You’ll still get tracking updates via email or the merchant’s website, just not in Wallet.

Privacy and Security Considerations

Because this feature uses the Find My network, it shares your package’s location with Apple and with other Apple devices that happen to be nearby. That’s how the crowd-sourced tracking works – your iPhone pings off other people’s iPhones to determine its position. Apple says the data is end-to-end encrypted and anonymous, but it’s still worth knowing that your package’s location is being broadcast to the network.

If you’re concerned about privacy, you can disable the feature entirely. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and turn off Location Services for the Wallet app. That will stop the live map, but you’ll still get basic tracking updates via the merchant’s email. Alternatively, you can turn off Bluetooth, which will also disable the Find My network, but that will affect other features like AirDrop and Find My iPhone.

There’s also a security benefit: because the tracking is tied to your Apple ID, it’s harder for someone to intercept your package tracking link and redirect it to a phishing site, which is a common scam with email-based tracking links.

Alternatives for Tracking Any Package

If your order doesn’t appear in Wallet, you have other reliable options:

Carrier apps: UPS, FedEx, and USPS all have free apps with push notifications. You can add tracking numbers manually.
Email tracking: Most retailers send tracking links in your confirmation email. You can bookmark them or add them to your calendar.
Third-party trackers: Apps like Parcel and Deliveries let you paste in any tracking number and get consolidated updates. They work with dozens of carriers.
Shopify’s own app: If the merchant uses Shopify, their store’s mobile app often has a built-in order tracker.

For Amazon orders, the Amazon app is the best choice, as it has real-time map tracking for many deliveries. For anything else, a carrier app or a third-party tracker is more reliable than relying on Wallet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Apple Wallet track packages from Amazon?
No. Amazon uses its own tracking system and does not participate in Apple’s Wallet order tracking. You’ll need the Amazon app or website to track Amazon orders.

Can I manually add a tracking number to Wallet?
No. There’s no way to manually enter a tracking number into the Wallet app. The feature only works automatically with participating Shopify merchants.

Will the package appear in Wallet if I use a credit card instead of Apple Pay?
Possibly, but only if you’re signed into the same Apple ID on the merchant’s site. The system links orders to your Apple ID, not to the payment method. However, using Apple Pay makes the link more reliable.

Does this work on iPads or Macs?
No. The Wallet app is only available on iPhone. You can see the order on your iPad if you’re signed into the same Apple ID, but the tracking map and notifications are iPhone-only.

Is the live map accurate?
It’s generally accurate to within a few hundred feet, but it depends on the density of Apple devices in the area. In rural areas, the location may update less frequently. The estimated delivery date is usually more reliable than the live map.

What happens to my order in Wallet after it’s delivered?
The order stays in your Wallet for a while, but you can swipe left on it and tap “Delete” to remove it. You can also archive it by tapping “Hide” if you want to keep it for reference without cluttering your main view.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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