Soon, you’ll be able to add your CrimsonCard directly to your Apple or Android wallet apps, providing seamless access to all the same services as the physical card.
The digital CrimsonCard will be rolled out in phases, with new students enrolling in Fall 2025 being the first to receive it.
CrimsonCard is going digital!
How it will work
The digital CrimsonCard is on its way to becoming the primary ID for IU students, faculty, and staff! Once available, you’ll have the option to choose between the digital CrimsonCard, which can be added to your Apple or Android wallet, or the physical card.
Please note: Activating a digital CrimsonCard will deactivate the physical one, but both offer the same access to campus services like dining, building entry, and printing.
Activating your digital CrimsonCard
The digital CrimsonCard is supported on the following devices:
Apple: iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, or later devices running iOS 12 or later. Apple watch series 1 and later devices running Watch OS 5 or later.
The digital CrimsonCard can be added to up to two Apple devices, including one iPhone and one Apple Watch, as long as both are signed into iCloud with the same Apple ID.
Android: Android phones that run Lollipop 5.1 or higher, with NFC turned on.
**You cannot have the digital CrimsonCard on both an Apple and an Android device.**
Current Cardholders: Students and employees who currently have a physical CrimsonCard can skip to step 2.
New Cardholders: Login to IU Mobile and upload a headshot that meets the photo guidelines and one valid government-issued ID. Once completed, submit for approval.
The approval notice will be sent to the applicant's IU email within 7-10 business days. The denied reason will be provided if rejected, and another photo can be submitted.
After receiving approval, proceed to step 2.
Instructions for Apple devices:
- Ensure that you have an approved photo on file. If you are not sure if you have an approved photo, contact the Campus Card office at crimsoncard@iu.edu.
- Download IU Mobile from the Apple app store if you don't already have it.
- Follow the prompts to log in via the Duo process
- From the main screen of the IU Mobile app, select Add to Wallet (true?)
- Follow the prompts and accept the terms of service (true?)
- Your new ID is ready to use and can be viewed in Apple Pay
- Repeat Steps 4-6 for your Apple Watch
Do not delete the IU Mobile app. If you do, your digital CrimsonCard will be removed as well.
Instructions for Android devices:
- Ensure you have an approved photo on file. If you are not sure if you have an approved photo, contact the Campus Card office at crimsoncard@iu.edu.
- Download IU Mobile from the Apple app store if you don't already have it.
- Follow the prompts to log in via the Duo process.
- Select the Add to Google Wallet button. (true?)
- Follow the prompts and accept the terms of service (true?)
- Your new ID is ready to use and can be viewed in Google Wallet. (true?)
Do not delete the IU Mobile app. If you do, your digital CrimsonCard will be removed as well.
Physical CrimsonCard deactivated immediately
Once the digital CrimsonCard is activated, the physical CrimsonCard will no longer be active.
Building access available in 10-15 minutes.
After activating your digital CrimsonCard, please allow 10-15 minutes for the digital CrimsonCard to be registered into our building access system.
Printing activated in XXXX
Printing takes XXXX to register a new device. For immediate use of print services....now sure if this is true.
Use your digital CrimsonCard to make purchases immediatley (true?)
Once your digital CrimsonCard is activated, it can be used to make purchases immediately anywhere it is accepted as payment.
General Digital CrimsonCard FAQ
CrimsonCard is going digital to enhance convenience and improve the overall campus experience. By integrating CrimsonCard into Apple and Android wallet apps, students, faculty, and staff can easily access campus services without needing a physical card. The digital CrimsonCard will provide seamless access to buildings, dining, printing, and more, all from a smartphone.
This shift also reflects a broader trend toward digital-first solutions, offering greater security, reducing the need for replacement cards, and aligning with modern expectations for a more efficient, tech-driven lifestyle on campus.
All current students, faculty, staff, and affiliates will be eligible to receive the digital CrimsonCard, with the rollout occurring in phases.
Phase I: Beginning in late Spring or early Summer 2025, new students enrolled in Fall 2025 will be eligible to receive the digital CrimsonCard.
Phase 2: Beginning July 1, 2025, current students, faculty, and staff across all IU campuses will be eligible to receive the digital CrimsonCard.
Phase 3: At a date yet to be determined, affiliates of IU will be eligible to receive the digital CrimsonCard.
No, your initial CrimsonCard is provided at no cost.
Existing CrimsonCard holders: No need to upload a new photo. The current photo will be used for the digital version, and you'll need to upload a new one when the digital CrimsonCard expires.
New students, faculty, and staff: If you have never had a CrimsonCard, you'll need to upload a photo using the IU mobile app.
Use of the digital CrimsonCard is highly encouraged but the option to choose between the digital CrimsonCard and the physical CrimsonCard will remain.
If you do not have compatible technology to get a digital CrimsonCard, you will have the option to get a physical CrimsonCard instead.
Once you activate your digital CrimsonCard, your physical CrimsonCard will be deactivated and will no longer function.
The digital CrimsonCard can be used for door access into IU buildings and facilities, printing while on the IU campus, and financial purchases made on-campus, off-campus, and on the Grubhub app.
For services or features, such as attending athletic events, that rely on barcode technology, the digital CrimsonCard in your Apple/Android wallet will not work. Instead, you'll need to use the CrimsonCard found in IU Mobile.
Digital CrimsonCard in Your Apple/Android Wallet:
- NFC Technology: Uses Near Field Communication (NFC) for secure, contactless access to campus services.
- Integrated: Stored directly in your smartphone's wallet app (Apple Wallet or Google Wallet).
- Convenient Access: Allows quick access to campus services without needing to open an additional app.
- Functions: Can be used for contactless payments, building access, and other services directly from your phone’s lock screen.
- Limited Connectivity Functionality: Works even when your phone has limited connectivity or the battery is low/dead.
Digital CrimsonCard in the IU Mobile App:
- Barcode Technology: Essential for specific services and features such as athletic event admissions.
- Requires App Access: You must open the IU Mobile app to display your CrimsonCard barcode.
- Dependent on Connectivity: Access is reliant on internet connectivity and app functionality.
Apple Wallet: Getting my digital CrimsonCard
- iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus or later running the latest version of iOS
- Apple Watch Series 1 or later running the latest version of watchOS
- Apple ID signed into iCloud
- IU Mobile App
- Duo Multi-Factor Authentication
Contact the CrimsonCard office at (317) 274-0400 or email crimsoncard@iu.edu.
The digital CrimsonCard is configured in Express Mode by default. In Express Mode, you can approach the reader with a dark screen on your iPhone or Apple Watch without needing to authenticate via Face ID or Touch ID. Express Mode enables an extremely fast, frictionless experience designed for campus use.
If you don’t want to use Express Mode, you can turn it off. Open Wallet, tap your digital Crimsoncard and navigate to the Express Mode on/off button.
Yes. When you open the Wallet app and select your digital CrimsonCard, you can view your CrimsonCard, payroll deduct, and meal plan balances.
As of iOS 16.4, Region is no longer a necessary setting.
If your device is using an earlier OS you should update it to the latest or your Region must be set to United States. In Settings, select Language & Region, and change the Region to the United States.
You can use your student ID card on up to two devices (one iPhone and one Apple Watch) that are signed into iCloud with the same Apple ID.
You should use Find My iPhone to deactivate your digital CrimsonCard in Apple Wallet. Instructions for Lost/Found Apple devices and Find My iPhone are located at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201472.
You can reactivate a found device that was suspended via iCloud.com.
You should first remove your digital CrimsonCard from your old device in the Apple Wallet app. Once it is removed, you can add your digital CrimsonCard to the new device by using the IU Mobile App.
If you are using Express Mode, you do not have to do anything but tap your device. If you are not using Express Mode, you will have to authenticate each time you access your phone. This is a user security preference. Note: Express Mode is turned on by default.
On iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and newer, Express Mode with power reserve allows the digital CrimsonCard to work for up to five hours after the device's battery is depleted and needs charging.
This feature ensures you can still access campus buildings and make payments with your CrimsonCard even if your phone battery is low or temporarily dead.
Digital CrimsonCard in Apple Wallet can be used even if your iPhone or Apple Watch does not have network connectivity, as the digital CrimsonCard is stored on your device.
Your other device will continue to work; however, you should mark the missing device as lost on icloud.com until it is found.
Getting my digital CrimsonCard - Android Wallet
You will need an Android device with the following:
- An Android phone that runs Lollipop (5.1) or higher, with NFC turned on.
- Download the latest version of the Google Wallet app from the Google Play Store. Google Wallet will need to be enabled and set up.
Contact the CrimsonCard office at (317) 274-0400 or email crimsoncard@iu.edu.
To access your digital CrimsonCard after you add it to Google Wallet:
- Open the Google Wallet app
- At the bottom, tap Passes
- Tap your digital CrimsonCard
You can also find your digital CrimsonCard in your device settings. Tap Settings, Android Settings, Google, Settings for Google apps, then Google Wallet.
To access 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 body of the phone to the reader.
- Some devices require the user to log in to the IU Mobile app once daily to utilize their digital CrimsonCard.
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 Pay Wallet.
If you have not enabled the “require device unlock for use” setting, you do not need to authenticate via passcode, fingerprint, etc.
Not sure (??)
Please try the following:
- Ensure you are presenting your digital CrimsonCard properly to the reader —straight up and down typically works best. If you are presenting your digital CrimsonCard and the reader is not reacting, open the IU Mobile app.
- After logging into IU Mobile, try to present your digital CrimsonCard to the reader again. Note: Some devices require the user to log in to the IU Mobile app once daily to utilize the digital CrimsonCard.
- Ensure you have properly provisioned the digital ID. In the IU Mobile app, you should see the status of your digital CrimsonCard as ‘ID added to Google Wallet’, otherwise, you should see ‘Add to Google Wallet’.
- Some systems can take up to 24 hours to receive the new credentials when the digital CrimsonCard is configured, you may need to wait for those updates to finish.
If you are still encountering issues, please contact the CrimsonCard Office at crimsoncard@iu.edu for support.
Remove your digital CrimsonCard from your old device. Once you have completed this, you will simply choose your new mobile ecosystem and repeat the process of provisioning through the IU Mobile app on your new device.
(?)
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.
Using the digital CrimsonCard
Yes.
Confirm access has been granted by contacting the building manager/coordinator.
CrimsonCash is money deposited into your CrimsonCash account. These funds can be used to make purchases anywhere CrimsonCash is accepted, both on- and off-campus. Every current student has a CrimsonCash account and can make deposits.
Benefits of using CrimsonCash:
- Convenient access to funds
- Can use funds at any IU campus
- Make deposits as needed
- Unused funds roll over year to year
- The account cannot be overdrawn
- Manage your account online, including deactivating a lost card
- More secure than using cash
All students have a CrimsonCash account and can deposit funds (CrimsonCash) by logging into their CrimsonCash account. These deposits can be paid for using a debit/credit card.
Website Deposit - Available to anyone, deposits can be made from the CrimsonCard website using a debit/credit card or PayPal. A $2.50 fee applies to each deposit made.
You can manage your CrimsonCash account online at crimsoncard.iu.edu by clicking 'Manage My ID Card' and logging in with your username and passphrase.
From here you can:
- Make a deposit
- Check your balance
- View your transaction history
- Deactivate a lost or stolen CrimsonCard
- Set up automatic account notifications
- Locate your 16-digit card number
Funds on your CrimsonCard can be used at over 150 locations statewide, both on- and off-campus.