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
IU students, faculty, and staff may choose a physical CrimsonCard or the digital CrimsonCard, which can be added to your Apple or Android wallet. Once users activate their digital CrimsonCard, their existing physical CrimsoCard will automatically deactivate.
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.