Google Wallet event ticket integration in mobile app

Google Wallet Integration for Event Tickets in Mobile Apps

Google Wallet lets you add concert, sports, or festival tickets directly to Android Wallet — without opening the app at entry. Users present the QR or barcode directly from the lock screen. Integration requires server-side work: Google Wallet API works with JWTs signed by a service account.

How It Works: EventTicketObject

Google Wallet uses EventTicketClass (template) and EventTicketObject (specific ticket). The class is created once per event, objects are created for each ticket.

Process:

1. Create EventTicketClass via Google Wallet API (REST) — event description, logo, color scheme
2. For each ticket, create EventTicketObject with barcode and seat data
3. Generate JWT with the object, send to the app
4. App calls the "Add to Google Wallet" button

Server-Side: JWT and Google Wallet API

You need a service account in Google Cloud Console with the Wallet Object Issuer role.

import jwt
from google.oauth2 import service_account
import json

def create_event_ticket_jwt(event_id: str, ticket_id: str, holder_name: str, seat: str) -> str:
    credentials = service_account.Credentials.from_service_account_file(
        'service-account.json',
        scopes=['https://www.googleapis.com/auth/wallet_object.issuer']
    )

    issuer_id = "YOUR_ISSUER_ID"  # from Google Pay & Wallet Console
    class_suffix = f"event_{event_id}"
    object_suffix = f"ticket_{ticket_id}"

    ticket_object = {
        "id": f"{issuer_id}.{object_suffix}",
        "classId": f"{issuer_id}.{class_suffix}",
        "state": "ACTIVE",
        "barcode": {
            "type": "QR_CODE",
            "value": ticket_id,
            "alternateText": ticket_id[:8]
        },
        "ticketHolderName": holder_name,
        "seatInfo": {
            "seat": {"defaultValue": {"language": "en", "value": seat}},
            "row": {"defaultValue": {"language": "en", "value": "A"}},
        },
        "reservationInfo": {
            "confirmationCode": ticket_id[:8].upper()
        },
        "heroImage": {
            "sourceUri": {"uri": "https://yourapp.com/event-banner.jpg"}
        }
    }

    payload = {
        "iss": credentials.service_account_email,
        "aud": "google",
        "typ": "savetowallet",
        "iat": int(time.time()),
        "origins": ["https://yourapp.com"],
        "payload": {
            "eventTicketObjects": [ticket_object]
        }
    }

    token = jwt.encode(payload, credentials._private_key_pkcs8_pem, algorithm="RS256")
    return token

JWT is sent to the mobile app as a string. Lifespan is 1 hour from generation.

Android: "Add to Google Wallet" Button

// build.gradle
implementation("com.google.android.gms:play-services-wallet:19.3.0")

class TicketActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
    private val walletClient by lazy {
        Wallet.getWalletClient(
            this,
            WalletOptions.Builder()
                .setEnvironment(WalletConstants.ENVIRONMENT_PRODUCTION)
                .build()
        )
    }

    private val addToWalletLauncher = registerForActivityResult(
        ActivityResultContracts.StartIntentSenderForResult()
    ) { result ->
        when (result.resultCode) {
            RESULT_OK -> showSuccess()
            RESULT_CANCELED -> { /* user cancelled */ }
            else -> showError()
        }
    }

    fun addTicketToWallet(jwt: String) {
        val request = SavePassesRequest.newBuilder()
            .setJwt(jwt)
            .build()

        walletClient.savePassesViaIntent(request) { apiResult ->
            apiResult.intentSender?.let { intentSender ->
                addToWalletLauncher.launch(
                    IntentSenderRequest.Builder(intentSender).build()
                )
            }
        }
    }
}

Button According to Google Guidelines

Google strictly regulates button appearance. You cannot use arbitrary text or color. The correct way is to use the official vector or ready-made component:

<com.google.android.gms.wallet.button.PayButton
    android:id="@+id/addToWalletButton"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="48dp"
    app:allowedAuthMethods="PAN_ONLY|CRYPTOGRAM_3DS"
    app:buttonType="addToGoogleWallet" />

Checking Wallet Availability

Before showing the button, check if Google Wallet is available on the device:

walletClient.getPayApiAvailabilityStatus(
    PayApiAvailabilityStatusRequest.newBuilder()
        .setRequestType(PayApiAvailabilityStatusRequest.RequestType.SAVE_PASSES)
        .build()
).addOnSuccessListener { status ->
    if (status.isAvailable) {
        addToWalletButton.isVisible = true
    }
}

Wallet is unavailable on devices without Google Play Services and in some regions.

Updating Ticket After Issuance

If you need to update the QR code or ticket status (e.g., "used") — call a PATCH request to Google Wallet API with objectId. Changes apply to already-added passes in real time.

from googleapiclient.discovery import build

service = build('walletobjects', 'v1', credentials=credentials)
service.eventticketobject().patch(
    resourceId=f"{issuer_id}.{object_suffix}",
    body={"state": "COMPLETED"}  # ticket used
).execute()

Timeline

2–3 days. Create event class, generate JWT, integrate button — 1.5 days. Update status via API + testing — 0.5–1 day. Pricing is calculated individually.