Purdue University Goes Digital with Student IDs via Apple Wallet’s Blackboard Integration

The world is going digital and it will center on devices to bring users access or credentials with Purdue University focusing on the Apple Wallet app to house its student IDs for their access and entry to the campus. The West Lafayette-based school will no longer make physical plastic ID cards for its students as it would be available on their smartphones exclusively.

Apple Wallet and Google Wallet add another university to use its service that features colleges and universities to use the app for identity verification purposes.

Purdue University Goes Digital with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet Student IDs

Purdue University is now transitioning to a Mobile ID setup where users will only need to swipe their smartphones to gain access to the campus and verify their identification. Instead of the traditional ID cards that can be worn with a lanyard or kept in one's wallet, they will head to digital platforms including the Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.

Student IDs have helped verify a person's affiliation with their schools, being their main identification on campus, also a required piece of plastic for borrowing books in one's library, finance, and more.

Instead of swiping one's ID, users may only bring their iPhones, Android phones, and Apple Watches to present their identification, now centering on a digital approach.

The university is applying this for everyone at the school including its faculty and staff.

No More Physical Plastic ID Cards with Apple Wallet's Blackboard Integration

Apple Wallet is one of the most iconic companies which allowed physical ID cards to appear in its app, with student IDs being an iconic adoption through its partnership with Blackboard back in 2018. Contactless student IDs were a thing five years ago but were not exactly a big deal until the pandemic came.

IDs, Hotel Room Keys, Car Keys, and more via Apple Wallet

One of the most important lessons that the COVID pandemic taught the world is that it can transition into digital experiences and features for all needs, centering on different transactions, as well as identification. Apple Wallet is one of the most active in adding different features for users, first centering on partnering with universities that have approval from its states.

These were not the only cards or verification items available for integrating into one's Apple Wallet, as different vaccination providers, including the state, allow vaccination cards to also appear on the app.

Apple also collaborated with Hyatt to issue hotel key cards to guests and visitors via the Wallet app, initially starting with six hotels accepting smartphones to tap and unlock the rooms.

The digital world is expanding to more opportunities and uses for their devices, one that would contain all the necessary details from a user right on the smartphone, even a driver's license for some states. Purdue University is adapting to the digital world and is now refraining from the use of physical plastic ID cards, now heading over to the Apple Wallet and Google Wallet for campus access.