If you're an iPhone or Apple Watch user living in Korea, we’ve got some great news—Apple Pay has supported Tmoney transit cards in Korea since July 22, 2025, you can finally use your Apple Wallet to pay for buses and subways across Korea, just like Galaxy users have been doing for years.
No more fumbling with physical cards or standing in line to reload. With just a quick tap of your iPhone or Apple Watch, you’re good to go. And yes, Express Transit Mode is fully supported—meaning you don’t even need to unlock your phone to use it.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to set it up, who can use it, and how to top it up automatically so you never run out of balance mid-ride.
Who Can Use It? (And Who Can’t)
Before you rush to open your Wallet app, it’s important to know that this feature isn’t available to everyone just yet.
As of July 2025, only residents of Korea with specific payment methods can use Tmoney via Apple Pay. Here's what that means in practice:
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You must have a Hyundai Card issued in Korea.
This is currently the only card that supports top-ups and auto top-ups for Tmoney directly within Apple Wallet. -
Alternatively, you can register a Tmoney card and manage its balance using the Mobile Tmoney app, but this requires:
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a Korean phone number
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a local bank account
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and identity verification as a registered resident (ARC)
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It’s important to note that other Korean-issued credit or debit cards (e.g., Shinhan, Woori, Samsung) do not support Tmoney top-up in Apple Wallet as of now—even if they’re registered in Apple Pay.
Unfortunately, short-term visitors and tourists cannot use this feature at all, since foreign-issued cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) are not supported for creating or loading Tmoney cards in Wallet.
This limitation was confirmed by Korea JoongAng Daily, which reports that Apple Pay’s Tmoney integration is currently restricted to domestic financial systems.
So, if you're an expat in Korea with a Hyundai Card or access to the Mobile Tmoney app, you’re good to go. But if you're just visiting, you'll still need to stick with the traditional physical Tmoney card—available at any convenience store or subway kiosk.
How to Add Tmoney to iPhone Wallet
If you're eligible, adding a Tmoney card to your iPhone is simple. You won’t need to download the Tmoney app to do it—everything happens within the Wallet app.
How to Set It Up
1. Open Wallet app
Tap the “+” icon at the top right.
2. Choose “Transit Card” or “Travel Card”
Select the option based on your region, then tap South Korea > Tmoney.
3. Set an initial balance
Pick an amount (₩5,000 or ₩10,000).
Only Hyundai Card supports this payment in Wallet.
4. Authenticate
Use Face ID or Touch ID to confirm.
5. Enable Express Mode (optional)
Set Tmoney as your default transit card to tap without unlocking.
Requirements
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iPhone XS or newer
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iOS 17.4 or later
You’ll see the Tmoney card in your Wallet, and you can manage it directly from there.
More help: Apple’s official guide
Setting Up Tmoney on Apple Watch
If you prefer to ride hands-free, using Tmoney on your Apple Watch is just as easy as on iPhone. The setup process is slightly different but straightforward.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open Settings on your Apple Watch
Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay.
Step 2: Add a transit card
Select “Add Card”, then tap “Transit Card” and choose Tmoney.
Step 3: Choose initial balance and confirm
Just like on iPhone, you’ll pick a starting amount and confirm the payment using your Watch passcode.
Once registered, your Watch will have its own separate Tmoney card. This is important: balances on iPhone and Watch do not sync. They are treated as two different cards, so you'll need to top them up individually.
Device Requirements:
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Apple Watch Series 6 or newer
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watchOS 10.4 or later
Make sure your Apple Watch is worn properly when using transit. The card will only work if it’s actively on your wrist and unlocked. Express Transit Mode is supported on Apple Watch as well, meaning you won’t need to tap any buttons or screens to pay—just raise your wrist to the gate.
How to Recharge: Manual and Auto Top-Up
Topping up your Tmoney card in Apple Wallet is easy—as long as you're using a Korean-issued payment card.
Manual Top-Up
To recharge manually on iPhone:
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Open the Wallet app
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Tap on your Tmoney card
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Tap “Add Money”
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Select the amount and confirm with Face ID or Touch ID
Note: Only Hyundai Card can be used to load or auto top-up Tmoney in Apple Wallet. Other cards are not supported.
The top-up is processed instantly, and your updated balance will appear right away in the Wallet app.
Auto Top-Up
For extra convenience, Apple Wallet also supports auto top-up. This is especially useful if you frequently ride public transit.
To set it up:
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Tap the three-dot (…) menu on your Tmoney card in Wallet
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Go to “Card Details”
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Tap “Auto Top-Up”
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Choose a balance threshold (e.g., ₩5,000) and a top-up amount (e.g., ₩10,000)
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Save your preferences
Now, whenever your balance falls below the threshold, the app will automatically charge and refill it using your saved card.
You can also manage your Tmoney card and check history using the Mobile Tmoney app, though this requires Korean phone number and verification.
Troubleshooting and Common Issues
Even though Apple Pay with Tmoney generally works well, some users may run into common issues. Here’s how to fix them.
Problem: Can’t register Tmoney card in Wallet
Solution:
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Make sure your iPhone is running iOS 17.4 or later
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Check if your Apple ID region is set to South Korea
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Confirm that your device supports transit cards (iPhone XS or newer)
If your Apple ID or device region is set to another country, you may not see the option to add Tmoney.
Problem: Card not detected at the gate
Solution:
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Open Wallet and confirm that Tmoney is set as your default transit card
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Check if Express Transit Mode is enabled
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Make sure the phone is not in Low Power Mode, and hold it close to the reader for 1-2 seconds
For Apple Watch, make sure it's unlocked and being worn. Transit gates won’t detect the card if it’s off your wrist.
Problem: Auto Top-Up doesn’t work
Solution:
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Confirm that your payment card is active and not blocked
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Check the Mobile Tmoney app for errors
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Auto payments may fail due to daily limits or card settings
If problems persist, you can contact Tmoney customer service or Apple Support Korea for help. Both have English-language assistance available for registered users.
Tips for Better Daily Use
Once you’ve added Tmoney to your Apple Wallet, here are a few helpful tips to make your daily transit smoother.
Use Express Transit Mode to save time
With Express Mode enabled, you don’t need to wake your screen or authenticate—just tap and go. This is especially useful during rush hours when every second counts.
Don’t worry if your phone dies (for a while)
On supported devices like iPhone XR or newer, Express Transit Mode will continue to work for a few hours after your phone battery dies, using reserve power. This means you can still get home even if your phone runs out of juice.
Check your balance regularly
While auto top-up is convenient, it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on your balance—especially if you’ve disabled auto-charging. You can do this from the Wallet app or by opening the Mobile Tmoney app (if set up).
Switch default transit cards if needed
If you have multiple transit cards in Wallet (e.g., another metro system or a second Tmoney), you can change your default transit card at any time under Wallet settings.
Be aware of coverage limitations
Tmoney with Apple Pay works well on all major subways and city buses, but some intercity or highway buses, taxis, or rural routes may not accept contactless payments yet. Always carry a backup option just in case.
Note for Tourists
If you’re visiting Korea as a short-term traveler, you might be excited to try out Apple Pay for public transport—but unfortunately, the current system doesn’t support foreign-issued credit cards or international Apple IDs.
This means you can’t create or recharge a Tmoney card in Apple Wallet unless you have a Korean payment method. It's a frustrating limitation, but one that's expected to change in the future as Korea expands support for global users.
In the meantime, the most reliable option for tourists is still the physical Tmoney card, available at convenience stores, subway stations, and airport kiosks. These cards can be topped up with cash and used on subways, buses, and even some taxis.
While the Apple Wallet version offers more convenience, the physical card is still affordable, easy to use, and widely accepted.
I’ll update this guide as soon as Apple Pay Tmoney becomes available for tourists.
If you're living in Korea and have access to a Korean payment card or account, adding Tmoney to Apple Wallet can seriously upgrade your daily routine.
From instant top-ups to screen-free tapping and auto-charging, it brings the convenience of modern transit to your wrist or phone. You’ll no longer need to carry a separate card or worry about balance checks at kiosks.
We highly recommend setting it up today and enjoying a smoother, smarter ride through Korea’s public transport system.
