Digital CrimsonCard

Android device instructions

The digital CrimsonCard is supported on the following devices: 

Android: Version 7.0 or later; NFC-enabled device capable of supporting Google Wallet. Android watches are not supported at this time. 

Important Note: NFC or Near Field Communication is REQUIRED for the use of the digital CrimsonCard. Many Android phones, especially international devices, do not have this technology and are not compatible. Please ensure your Android device has NFC and it is enabled BEFORE setting up your digital CrimsonCard.

**You cannot have the digital CrimsonCard on both an Apple and an Android device.** 

Never had a CrimsonCard?
Patrons who have never had a CrimsonCard must upload a valid photo and documentation verifying their identity (ex., driver's license, state ID, passport) that meets IU’s requirements. Once approved, you’ll be notified when you can set up your digital CrimsonCard. Step-by-step instructions are provided below. 

Already have a physical CrimsonCard?
You’re verified—skip to Step 2: Set Up Your Digital CrimsonCard

Step-Step: How to upload your CrimsonCard photo and identity verification: 

  1. Download, open, and log in to the latest version of the IU Mobile app from the Google app store.  
  2. Tap the digital CrimsonCard button, verify you are eligible for a digital CrimsonCard, and select the Start button. 
  3. Review the photo requirements and tap Select Photo.
  4. Select the photo from your device that you would like to use as your CrimsonCard photo.
  5. Select Edit below the photo to crop or adjust the photo. 
  6. When finished editing, select Done.
  7. Check the box to confirm the photo meets the requirements. 
  8. Select Continue to begin the process of uploading your documentation to verify your identity.
  9. Review the requirements for a valid ID photo, and tap Select Photo
  10. Select the photo of your ID from your device.
  11. Select Edit to crop or adjust the photo as needed, and select Done.
  12. Check the box to confirm the photo meets the requirements.
  13. Select Continue.
  14. Review both photos and select Submit.
  15. A notification will be sent to your university email informing you that your photos were either approved or denied.
    • If approved, proceed to step 2 to set up your digital CrimsonCard.
    • If denied, resubmit a photo and verification documentation that meets the requirements.

**Due to high photo submission volume, approvals may take longer than usual.**

 Instructions for Android devices: 

    1. Confirm your device has NFC and that it is turned on. The use of the digital CrimsonCard on Android devices requires NFC.  
      • Go to Settings > Connected Devices or Connections (depends on device).
      • Look for "NFC" and toggle it ON.
    2. Open and log in to the IU Mobile app.
    3. Select the digital CrimsonCard button and verify that you are eligible to add your CrimsonCard to your wallet. 
    4. Select the Add to Google Wallet button.
    5. Your digital CrimsonCard will show as active in IU Mobile and it will now be available in your Google Wallet.

**If you have a physical CrimsonCard, it will stop working when you add your CrimsonCard to Google Wallet. If you later need a new physical card, a $35 replacement fee will apply.  ** 

Physical CrimsonCards are immediately and permanently disabled
Once your digital CrimsonCard is added to your Google Wallet, your physical card will stop working. A replacement fee of $35 will be incurred to obtain a new physical CrimsonCard.

Building access is available in 15 minutes
Allow up to 15 minutes for your card to register in the building access system.

Elevator access can take up to 24 hours
Depending on the timing, access to elevators may take up to 24 hours.

Printing is available in 15 minutes
Your digital CrimsonCard will be active in the IU print system within 15 minutes.

Access your meal plan immediately
Once your digital CrimsonCard is activated, it can be used immediately to access your meal plan and dining dollars.

How-To Videos

Click here for an audio description version of this video. 

Description of the video:

This video will show you how to upload a passport-style photo of yourself, along with a photo of a valid form of ID to verify your identity.    

Before you get started, make sure you have two things saved on your phone:  

  • A passport-style photo of yourself that meets the CrimsonCard requirements and  
  • A photo of a valid ID—like a driver’s license, passport, or state ID.  

Step 1: Open the IU Mobile app and tap the ‘Digital CrimsonCard’ button on the home screen.   

Step 2: Verify that you're eligible for a digital CrimsonCard, and select the ‘Start’ button to begin. 

Step 3: Review the photo requirements and tap ‘Select Photo’ to choose your CrimsonCard photo.  

Step 4: Select the photo you'd like to use for your digital CrimsonCard. 

Step 5: Select the ‘Edit’ link below the photo to crop or adjust the photo as needed. 

Step 6: When finished editing, select ‘done’.  

Step 7: Check the box to confirm the photo meets the requirements. 

Step 8: Select ‘Continue’  

Step 9: Now it’s time to upload a photo of your ID verifying your identity. To begin, review the requirements for a valid ID verification photo and tap ‘Select Photo’  

Step 10: Select the photo of your ID from your phone. 

Step 11: Tap ‘Edit’ to crop or adjust the photo as needed and select ‘Done’ 

Step 12: Check the box to confirm the photo meets the requirements. 

Step 13: Select ‘Continue’ (Combine steps 12 and 13???) 

Step 14: Review both photos and tap the ‘Submit’ button  

A notification will be sent to your university email letting you know whether your photos were approved or not.  

If both are approved, you’re all set to add your digital CrimsonCard to your device.  

If one or both weren’t approved, the email will explain why, and you’ll be able to submit a new photo.  

 

Click here for an audio description version of this video. 

Description of the video:

These simple steps will show you how to add our digital CrimsonCard to your device. 

Step 1: After logging into the IU Mobile app, select the ‘Add to Wallet’ button to get started.   

Step 2: Your device’s wallet app will open. Simply choose the correct device you’d like to add your digital CrimsonCard to. 

Step 3: Select the ‘Next’ button located in the top right corner to confirm that you want to add your digital CrimsonCard to your device wallet.   

Step 4: IU Mobile will display your digital CrimsonCard as active in the green status box. It can now be viewed and used directly from your device’s wallet. 

Click here for an audio description version of this video. 

Description of the video:

These steps will show you how to update your existing CrimsonCard photo.  

Step 1: Open your digital CrimsonCard in the IU Mobile app and select the ‘Edit’ button located under your photo. 

Step 2: Select the ‘Start’ button to begin. 

Step 3: Review the requirements for a valid photo, then tap the ‘Select Photo’ button.  

Step 4: Select the photo you’d like to use for your digital CrimsonCard. 

Step 5: Select ‘Edit’ to crop or adjust your photo as needed and acknowledge that the photo meets the requirements 

Step 6: Select ‘Done’ when finished 

Step 7: Check the box to acknowledge the photo meets the requirements. 

Step 8: Select the ‘Continue’ button 

Step 9: Click ‘Submit’ to send your photo for approval. 

Step 10: A notification will be sent to your university email letting you know whether your photo was approved or not.  

If approved, your digital CrimsonCard image will update immediately.  

If it isn’t approved, the email will explain why, and you’ll be able to submit a new photo.

Click here for an audio description version of this video. 

Description of the video:

This video will show you how to remove your digital CrimsonCard from your device in three simple steps. 

(Step 1) To begin, after logging into the IU Mobile app, select your digital CrimsonCard and tap the three dots in the upper-right corner of the green status bar.  

(Step 2) Next, from the dropdown menu, select the "Unassign" option. 

(Step 3) Lastly, tap the "Unassign" button again to confirm that you’d like to remove your digital CrimsonCard from your device. 

Your digital CrimsonCard has now successfully been removed. 
To add it to a new device, open the IU Mobile app on that device and follow the steps to set up your digital CrimsonCard. 

 

Using your digital CrimsonCard on your Android device

Your device does not need to be unlocked, but the screen should be “awake.” Make sure NFC is turned on. On Android devices, the location of the NFC antenna may vary. Start by tapping the top of the phone to the reader. If this does not work, try tapping the back of the phone instead. 

Android: Digital CrimsonCard FAQs

To use your digital CrimsonCard:

  • Your device does not need to be unlocked, but the screen should be awake.
  • Ensure NFC is turned on by going to your device’s Settings.
    • Android devices can vary in the placement of the NFC antenna.
  • Tap the top of the phone to the reader.
    • If this does not work, tap the back of the phone to the reader.

To access your digital CrimsonCard once you have added it to your Google Wallet:

  1. Open the Google Wallet app
  2. At the bottom, select Passes
  3. Select your digital CrimsonCard

You can also find your digital CrimsonCard in your device settings.

Select Settings > Android Settings > Google > Settings for Google apps > Google Wallet.

No, you will need to ensure your phone is charged in order to utilize your digital CrimsonCard.

Your digital CrimsonCard can be used even if the Android device does not have network connectivity as your CrimsonCard is stored on your device.

You can use your digital CrimsonCard via Google Wallet on one Android phone device using the same credentials.

By default, your digital CrimsonCard can be used without unlocking your phone, but the phone must be powered on and “awake” (display active).

You can change this setting by turning on “require device unlock for use.“ This allows your digital CrimsonCard to be used only when the phone is unlocked by accessing your digital CrimsonCard in the Google Wallet.

If you still have your old device, deactivate the digital CrimsonCard there:

  1. Open Google Wallet
  2. Select the digital CrimsonCard
  3. Press the three dots to view the back of the card
  4. Scroll to the bottom and select the Remove button to delete the card

Follow the initial steps to install the IU Mobile app on your new device and set up your digital CrimsonCard.

If you have not enabled the “require device unlock for use” setting, you do not need to authenticate via passcode or fingerprint. 

There is currently no functionality to display the CrimsonCash balance on Android devices that reside in the Google Wallet. 

You can view your CrimsonCash balance on the IU Mobile app once signed in. 

 

CrimsonCard in your Google Wallet : This is your active digital ID. It allows you to tap and access buildings, services, and make purchases—just like the physical CrimsonCard.

CrimsonCard in IU Mobile: This is for viewing your CrimsonCard information (e.g., balance, card details) and managing your card, but it does not function as a tap-to-use ID. It does display the CrimsonCard barcode which is used for certain services around campus.

Follow these steps to remove your CrimsonCard from your device:

  1. Open the IU Mobile app and select the digital CrimsonCard button. 
  2. Select the three dots located in the green status box.
  3. Tap Unlink to remove the CrimsonCard from your Apple Wallet. 

Please try the following:

  • Ensure you are presenting your digital CrimsonCard properly to the reader —straight up and down typically works best. 
  • When the digital CrimsonCard is set up, some systems can take up to 24 hours to receive the new credentials. You may need to wait for those updates to finish.

If you continue encountering issues, contact the CrimsonCard Office at crimsoncard@iu.edu for support.