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Is a screenshot of a boarding pass sufficient?

Yes, you can use screenshot of your boarding pass. All airlines offer the option of a mobile boarding pass as an alternative to printing yours or picking up a paper copy at the airport. In case you lost you phone or paper boarding pass it always works in that time.



A screenshot of a boarding pass is usually sufficient for passing through security and boarding your flight in 2026, but it is considered a "backup" rather than the ideal method. TSA agents and airline gate readers only need to scan the QR code or Aztec code to verify your details. However, there are several downsides to relying on a screenshot. First, a static image does not update; if your gate changes or your flight is delayed, a screenshot won't show the new information, whereas the live pass in your Apple or Google Wallet will update automatically. Second, if your screen is cracked or the brightness is too low, the scanners may struggle to read the image. Third, some international airports and specific airlines require the "live" pass within their official app to verify real-time security clearances. It is always a best practice to add the boarding pass to your phone's digital wallet, which works offline and even when your battery is very low. If you choose to use a screenshot, make sure the entire barcode is visible and that your screen brightness is turned up to 100% when you approach the scanner to avoid holding up the line.

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Photos of boarding passes shared online should be avoided at all costs. This is a good rule of thumb to follow in the name of safety while traveling. The rule applies to both printed boarding passes and digital versions on your phone.

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There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to deciding which type of boarding pass is right for you — both work just fine. But when it comes to air travel, we like to play it safe, which is why we recommend printing out your boarding pass, too.

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The barcode used on a mobile boarding pass is identical to the one on a paper boarding pass and can usually be used everywhere the paper version is accepted.

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Online check-in lets you check in from your home or office and print your own boarding pass. You can also choose to have a link to your boarding pass emailed to your mobile device.

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In the past, printing was a requirement for mobile boarding passes when there were more than one person on an itinerary. Today you can get all of those passes together digitally when you check-in.

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Save valuable time with your mobile boarding pass: if you are travelling with carry-on baggage only, you can go straight to security and then proceed to your gate.

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Can I use my mobile boarding pass to go through the security checkpoint and board my flight? Yes, simply show your mobile boarding pass on a mobile phone, iPad, or Apple Watch and a valid form of identification to the TSA Agent at security to proceed.

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Yes, as long as it has a QR Code that can be scanned. If you have an iPhone usually there would be an option with the airlines app to add to your Apple Wallet app.

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A boarding pass is a document provided by an airline during check-in giving a passenger permission to board the airplane for a particular flight. At a minimum, it identifies the passenger, the flight number, and the date and scheduled time for departure. Boarding passes are always required to board a flight.

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Add a boarding pass with a screenshot
  1. Open the email, app, or website that has your boarding pass.
  2. Find your boarding pass. ...
  3. For a few seconds, press and hold the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time. ...
  4. On the “Screenshot saved” notification, tap Add to Google Wallet. ...
  5. Tap Save.


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Yes, as long as it has a QR Code that can be scanned. If you have an iPhone usually there would be an option with the airlines app to add to your Apple Wallet app. Can you use a laptop to print a boarding pass? Yes, you can use a laptop to print a boarding pass, as long as you have access to a printer.

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What to Do After Online Check-In. Once you receive your electronic boarding pass, you can head straight to security if you're traveling carry-on only. If you're checking a bag, you'll still need to stop by the ticketing area at the airport. Look for special “bag drop” lines that bypass longer check-in lines.

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Yes, simply show your mobile boarding pass on a mobile phone, iPad, or Apple Watch and a valid form of identification to the TSA Agent at security to proceed. To board your flight, scan your mobile boarding pass by holding one of the devices listed above with your pass facing the scanner.

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Simply put, the difference between an electronic ticket and a boarding pass is that the electronic ticket is a confirmation that you have completed your purchase, and boarding pass is a document that allows you to board on the plane.

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Previously, each person had to each carry their own smartphone to show their mobile boarding pass to go through security or board a flight. But now up to eight individual mobile boarding passes can be viewed on one phone, providing everyone travelling together is on the same booking reference number.

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How to share a pass or ticket in Apple Wallet
  1. On your iPhone, open the Wallet app.
  2. Tap the pass or ticket that you want to share.
  3. Tap the More button. , then tap Pass Details. If instead you see an Info button , you might not have the option to share from the Wallet app.
  4. Tap the Share icon .


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If you can't access your mobile boarding pass, or your phone dies, you can use another method such as a self-service kiosk or have an agent assist you at the check-in counter. If this issue occurs once you're past security but before you board your flight, ask a gate agent to print off a copy for you.

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Do I need to print my boarding pass if I have a QR code? You shouldn't need to print your boarding pass out on paper as all of the needed information is available within the mobile version of the code, the airline's app, and the various emails they've sent you.

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