Did you know that over 200 million iPhones are sold worldwide each year? That’s a lot of people getting new devices!
If you’re one of them and you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, you might be wondering how to transfer your Clipper card to your shiny new iPhone.
Moving your Clipper card isn’t as straightforward as you might expect. You can’t just open your Apple Wallet and hit a “transfer” button. This can be frustrating, especially when you’re eager to start using your new phone for all your transit needs.
The good news is that transferring your Clipper card is actually quite simple once you know the right steps.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process, from removing the card from your old iPhone to adding it to your new one. We’ll also cover some common issues you might face and how to solve them.
Why can’t you simply transfer your Clipper card
You might think moving your Clipper card to a new iPhone would be as easy as tapping a “Transfer” button. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Here’s why:
Clipper cards are designed to be active on only one device at a time. This security feature prevents multiple people from using the same card simultaneously.
It’s like having a single key to your house. You can’t use it to unlock two doors at once.
When you try to add your Clipper card to a new iPhone while it’s still on your old one, the system gets confused.
It doesn’t know which device should have the active card. This is why you can’t just scan your physical Clipper card or use a “Transfer Existing Card” option on your new phone.
How to transfer your Clipper card the right way
Transferring your Clipper card is a bit like moving house. You need to pack up and leave your old place before you can settle into the new one. Here’s how to do it with your Clipper card:
Step 1: Remove the card from your old iPhone
First, you’ll need to say goodbye to your Clipper card on your old device. Here’s how:
- Open the Apple Wallet app on your old iPhone.
- Find your Clipper card in the list.
- Tap the three dots (…) in the top-right corner.
- Select “Remove this Card”.
Tip: If you run into issues removing the card, it might be linked to your Apple ID. Try signing out and back in. Or check out this fix for inactive Apple IDs.
Step 2: Add the card to your new iPhone
Now that your card is free, you can add it to your new iPhone:
- Open the Apple Wallet app on your new iPhone.
- Tap the plus (+) button in the top-right corner.
- Choose “Transit Card” then “Clipper”.
- Tap “Add Card”.
- Enter your Apple ID password when prompted.
- Check your Clipper card balance and tap “Next”.
And that’s it! Your Clipper card is now ready to use on your new iPhone. Remember, you need to complete both steps for the transfer to work properly.
If you ever see strange payment errors, you may want to understand what it means when Apple Pay says “fraud suspected”.
If you run into any issues, don’t worry. We’ll cover some troubleshooting tips next.
What you can do with your transferred Clipper card
Now that you’ve successfully moved your Clipper card to your new iPhone, you’re ready to navigate the Bay Area’s public transportation system with ease.
Your digital Clipper card offers seamless access to various transit services:
1. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). Use your iPhone to tap and pay for BART trips across the region. Whether you’re commuting or exploring, you’re covered.
2. Muni (San Francisco Municipal Railway). Access San Francisco’s extensive bus and light rail network. Simply tap your iPhone at the reader when boarding.
3. Bay Area ferries. Enjoy scenic ferry rides across the bay. Your digital Clipper card works just like a physical ticket.
Other transit services Many other Bay Area transit agencies accept Clipper, including Caltrain, AC Transit, and SamTrans. Check the Clipper website for a complete list of participating services.
To use your iPhone’s Clipper card, hold it near the card reader when boarding or entering a station, just as you would with a physical card.
This digital version offers the same functionality with added convenience, ensuring smooth and efficient travel throughout the Bay Area. Make sure your phone is unlocked or set up with Face ID to unlock apps easily.
Troubleshooting tips
If you run into any issues:
- Make sure you’ve completely removed the card from your old iPhone
- Check that you’re signed in with the same Apple ID on both devices
- If problems persist, contact Clipper customer service for help
Remember, technology sometimes has its quirks, but with these steps, you should be able to transfer your Clipper card without a hitch. Happy travels with your new iPhone!
The takeaway
Moving your Clipper card to a new iPhone isn’t as tricky as it might seem. The main thing to remember is that you need to take the card off your old phone before putting it on the new one.
You can’t just scan your Clipper card with your new phone to transfer it. Instead, you have to remove it from the Apple Wallet on your old iPhone first.
Then, you can add it to your new phone. This makes sure your Clipper card only works on one phone at a time, which keeps it safe and working right.
If you run into any problems, just go back and check that you’ve followed each step. Or, you can always ask Clipper’s customer service for help.
Once you’ve moved your Clipper card over, you’re all set to use your new iPhone for rides on buses, trains, and ferries all around the Bay Area.
