Everyday
How to store loyalty cards on your phone
The quickest method that works everywhere: photograph the front and back of the card, save it in one place, and keep the barcode readable. Scanners read a barcode from a screen as happily as from plastic.
Here are the three practical options, what each is good at, and the details that decide whether the card actually scans at the till.
1. The retailer's own app
Most large chains have an app with the loyalty card built in — usually the most reliable option, because the barcode is generated fresh and points are linked to your account.
The downside is one app per shop. Fine for the two or three you use weekly; unmanageable for the other ten.
2. A wallet app
Google Wallet on Android can hold loyalty cards: add a card, scan or type the number, and it appears alongside your payment cards. Some cards are supported officially, others only as a generic barcode.
It is tidy, but not every scheme is recognised, and cards without a barcode (a plain membership number) often cannot be added at all.
3. A photo of the card (works with anything)
Universal and instant: take a clear, straight photo of the barcode side, plus one of the back if there is a number or terms on it, and keep both somewhere you can find in seconds.
Keeping them together matters more than where they live. Cards scattered across the camera roll are as lost as cards left at home.
- Shoot straight on, in good light, with no glare across the barcode
- Turn screen brightness up at the till — dim screens fail to scan
- Also note the card number: staff can key it in if the scan fails
- Add the expiry date for anything time-limited, like a gym pass
Keeping them usable, not just stored
A card you cannot find in ten seconds will not get used. Give the collection one home, name each card by shop, and put the ones you use weekly at the top.
In MiRicordi, loyalty and membership cards live in a dedicated section: photo front and back, card number, and an optional reminder for cards that expire or renew.
Frequently asked questions
Can shops scan a loyalty card from a phone screen?
Yes. Till scanners read barcodes and QR codes from a screen. Turn brightness up and hold the phone flat; if it still fails, most staff can type the card number in.
How do I add a loyalty card to Google Wallet?
Open Google Wallet, tap Add to Wallet, choose loyalty card, pick the retailer and scan or type the card number. Not every scheme is supported.
What if my loyalty card has no barcode?
Save a photo of the card and the number itself. At the till the number can be entered manually, which works for almost every scheme.
Is it safe to keep photos of loyalty cards on my phone?
Loyalty cards are not payment cards, so the risk is low, but keep them in the app rather than in a shared photo album, and never store PINs alongside them.
Does MiRicordi store loyalty cards?
Yes. You can save each card with a photo of the front and back, the card number and, if it expires, a reminder before the date.