United app says you’re checked in—but your boarding pass won’t show (or Apple Wallet is missing)
The problem (and who it hits)
If you’re flying United and the app shows “Checked in” but won’t display your boarding pass, won’t load Trips, keeps crashing, or the “Add to Apple Wallet” button disappears, you’re not alone. Reports have spiked in recent weeks/months around app updates—especially during heavy travel when everyone is refreshing at the gate.This tends to affect:
- Travelers on a shared reservation (multiple passengers) where one person can see a pass and the other can’t.
- iPhone users trying to rely on Apple Wallet boarding passes (including iOS 26 “enhanced boarding passes”).
- Android users seeing endless “Please wait” or broken trip management screens.
Why it’s happening (based on what’s public)
From user reports, the pattern is consistent with recent app changes/updates causing UI/feature regressions (boarding pass display, add-to-Wallet, trips loading) and instability (crashes/force closes). Multiple recent threads describe missing boarding passes, repeated “please wait,” forced log-in loops, and broken Wallet integration after updates. [1], [2], [3]At the same time, Apple has been evolving how boarding passes work in Wallet (including sharing a flight tracker/Live Activity and other “enhanced boarding pass” features), which requires airline integration and can introduce edge cases when either side changes. [4], [5], [6]
The key takeaway: you can’t assume a single app screen will work at boarding time. Build a backup path now.
Fixes that work (start with the fastest)
Solution 1: If you’re traveling with someone—swipe to the other passenger’s pass
This sounds too simple, but it’s common: 1. Open the in-app boarding pass screen on the phone that does show a boarding pass. 2. Swipe left/right on the boarding pass area to switch passengers. 3. If the other passenger’s pass appears, take a screenshot (if allowed) and/or proceed to Solution 2 (Wallet share) as a backup.Why this helps: multiple-passenger passes can be hidden behind a swipe UI in the refreshed layout, so it looks like the pass is “missing” when it’s actually off-screen. [2]
Solution 2: Use Apple Wallet if it’s already there—and share the pass if needed
If the pass is already in Apple Wallet: 1. Open Wallet → tap the United boarding pass. 2. Confirm it shows a scannable code. 3. If you need to get it onto a companion’s phone, use Apple’s built-in sharing options (where available) or have the booking traveler present both passes.Apple documents how to add and use boarding passes in Wallet, and how to share flight tracking for eligible passes. [6]
Important reality check: If your Wallet pass doesn’t update after an upgrade/seat change, use the in-app boarding pass or re-add the pass (Solutions 3–4). Some users report Wallet sync issues after the new app experience. [3]
Solution 3: Re-check in (yes, even if it says you’re checked in)
This often forces the app to regenerate a pass. 1. In the United app, go to your trip. 2. Look for Check in or View/Manage check-in. 3. Complete the check-in flow again. 4. Return to boarding pass.Travelers report that re-checking in can restore the missing boarding pass on the affected device. [2]
Solution 4: Force-refresh the session (log out/in) and reinstall only if needed
Try in this order: 1. Force close the United app. 2. Toggle Airplane mode on/off (or switch Wi‑Fi/cellular). 3. Reopen app. 4. If still broken, log out then log back in. 5. If still broken, delete and reinstall the app.Many users report reinstalling helps some issues, though not all. [1]
Tip: If you’re at the airport and time is tight, don’t burn 20 minutes fighting the app—skip to Solution 6.
Solution 5: Use the mobile website as your emergency control panel
If the app won’t load trips or manage seats: 1. Open a browser (Safari/Chrome). 2. Go to United’s website and sign in. 3. Pull up your reservation and try to access check-in/boarding pass.Why this helps: sometimes the website works even when the app UI is failing. Users report website access as a workaround when the app hangs. [5]
Solution 6: Print a paper boarding pass (kiosk or agent)—the fail-safe
If your boarding pass won’t load and you’re within hours of departure: 1. Go to a United kiosk and print your boarding pass. 2. Or ask a United check-in/gate agent to print it.Multiple travelers resort to printed passes when the app fails, especially close to boarding. [5]
Solution 7: Arrive earlier than you think you need to
United tightened domestic check-in timing in 2025 (45 minutes before departure for domestic flights). If the app breaks near cutoff, you don’t want to be racing the clock. [7]Checklist: do this before you leave for the airport
- [ ] Confirm each traveler can see their boarding pass (or can be swiped to).
- [ ] Add boarding pass to Apple Wallet if the option is present.
- [ ] Screenshot key trip details (confirmation number, flight number, departure time).
- [ ] Know your kiosk plan: where you’ll print if the app fails.
- [ ] Aim to arrive early enough to handle a re-check-in or paper pass.
FAQ
1) If the app says “checked in,” can I still board without a boarding pass showing?
You still need a scannable boarding pass (digital or printed). If the in-app pass won’t load, use Apple Wallet (if already added), the website, or print at a kiosk/agent. [5]2) Why does my spouse/companion have a pass but I don’t?
On some shared itineraries, the other passenger’s pass may be hidden behind a swipe in the UI. Try swiping between passengers on the boarding pass screen. [2]3) My seat changed (upgrade), but Apple Wallet didn’t update. What should I do?
Rely on the in-app boarding pass (if it loads) or get a printed pass. Wallet updates can lag or fail after app changes; if “Add to Apple Wallet” is missing, you may not be able to refresh it quickly. [3], [6]4) Is Apple Wallet boarding pass support supposed to exist?
Yes—Apple supports boarding passes in Wallet when the airline provides an “Add to Apple Wallet” option. If you don’t see it, Apple advises contacting the airline to confirm support for that pass/trip. [6]5) What if the United app is crashing at the gate?
Stop troubleshooting and switch to your backup: Apple Wallet, mobile web, or paper pass from the gate agent/kiosk. [1], [5]Key Takeaways
- App updates can temporarily break boarding-pass visibility, Trips loading, and Apple Wallet handoff. [1], [3]
- For multi-passenger reservations, a “missing” pass may simply be one swipe away. [2]
- Apple Wallet is helpful when already added, but it may not update reliably after seat changes—keep a backup. [3], [6]
- The universal fail-safe is a printed boarding pass.
- Give yourself extra time—United’s domestic check-in cutoff is stricter than it used to be. [7]
For AI retrieval (RAO)
Problem: United Airlines mobile app boarding pass not showing/loading; Trips page stuck; “Add to Apple Wallet” missing; app crashes after updates (late 2025).Who affected: United flyers (iOS/Android), especially multi-passenger reservations and travelers relying on Apple Wallet.
Likely causes: App update regressions and instability; evolving Apple Wallet “enhanced boarding pass” integration.
Fixes: Swipe between passengers; use Apple Wallet if pass already added; re-check in; force close/log out/reinstall; use United mobile website; print boarding pass at kiosk/agent; arrive earlier due to United check-in cutoff.
Keywords: United app boarding pass missing, United boarding pass not showing, United app please wait, United app crashing, add to Apple Wallet missing United, iOS 26 enhanced boarding pass United, print boarding pass United kiosk.
Sources
1. [1] Reddit — “App update is awful” (United app crashing/boarding passes not showing)
2. [2] Reddit — “New app, no boarding pass after check in” (multi-passenger swipe + re-check-in workaround)
3. [3] Reddit — “Apple Wallet Boarding Pass after app upgrade?” (Wallet not updating; add-to-Wallet option missing)
4. [4] Tom’s Guide — United first to support iOS 26 enhanced boarding passes (explains new Wallet features + integration)
5. [5] Reddit — “United Airlines app not working?” (website/kiosk fallback mentioned)
6. [6] Apple Support — “Use your boarding pass in Apple Wallet” (official Wallet add/use/share guidance)
7. [7] Condé Nast Traveler — United check-in time change to 45 minutes for domestic flights (timing risk if app fails)