Apple is set to enhance the utility of Apple Wallet with the upcoming iOS 27 update, introducing tools designed to streamline group payments and physical card management. Leveraging the new Visual Intelligence system, the update allows iPhone users to split restaurant checks and scan physical passes directly into their digital wallets.
Visual Intelligence, described as a camera interface powered by Siri, enables the iPhone to analyze itemized receipts. Once the camera identifies a receipt, users can tap a yellow “Split Bill with Apple Cash” button to distribute costs among contacts. The system is designed to parse individual items rather than simply dividing the total evenly, allowing users to account for specific taxes, tips, discounts, or shared appetizers before sending payment requests. However, this functionality requires users to have Apple Cash set up, a compatible iPhone running iOS 27, and contacts who can receive Apple Cash transfers.
Beyond bill splitting, the feature also assists with digital pass organization. By pointing the camera at physical boarding passes, loyalty cards, or tickets, users can add compatible items to Apple Wallet if they feature QR codes or Apple Wallet branding. While this provides a convenient backup for passes that may not have digital links, Apple notes that issuer-specific apps or official “Add to Apple Wallet” processes may still yield more reliable results.
To utilize these features, users must first add Visual Intelligence to their Control Center by searching for the icon in settings. The functionality is currently available in the iOS 27 Public and Developer Betas, with broader release expected later in the fall.
Another beta feature that might arrive too buggy for my liking. I’ll wait for the stable release.
Wait, does this mean I can scan my gym membership card too? That would be huge.
Finally Apple gets bill splitting right — per-item, not just divide-by-N.