Once you have checked in for your flight, the next step is getting your boarding pass onto your phone or into your hands. Knowing how to download a boarding pass properly — and keeping a backup — is the difference between walking calmly through Dubai International or Zayed International and fumbling with a dead phone battery at security.
Most airlines send the boarding pass right after online check-in as a QR code in the app, a downloadable PDF, or an email attachment. This guide covers every method, how to save the pass for offline use, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Quick Answer
To download a boarding pass, complete online check-in on your airline’s website or app, then tap “Download boarding pass” or “Add to wallet.” Save it to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet so it works offline, and keep a PDF or screenshot as a backup. If you checked in but cannot download the pass, you can still get a printed one from the airport check-in counter or a self-service kiosk — just arrive with enough time.
Where Your Boarding Pass Comes From
Your boarding pass is created the moment you complete check-in. Airlines deliver it in several ways at once, so if one method fails you usually have another:
- In the airline app: a digital pass with a QR code, stored under your trip or booking.
- As a PDF download: a file you can save, email to yourself, or print.
- By email: most airlines send the pass as an attachment after check-in.
- By SMS or messaging apps: some carriers send a link that opens the pass in your browser.
- At the airport: printed at the counter or from a self-service kiosk.
If you have not checked in yet, start with our Online Check-In Guide for Beginners, which walks through the whole process.
How to Download a Boarding Pass on an iPhone
On iPhones, the smoothest option is Apple Wallet:
- Complete check-in in the airline’s app or on its website in Safari.
- Tap “Add to Apple Wallet” (the option appears right after check-in).
- Confirm, and the pass appears in the Wallet app.
- To view it later, open Wallet and tap the pass — the QR code displays even in airplane mode.
Apple Wallet passes also update automatically: if your gate or seat changes, the pass usually updates itself. Alternatively, open the PDF version in Safari and tap the share button to save it to Files or print it. For travellers heading home or visiting family, double-check that your travel documents are in order too — see our guide to the UAE document attestation process if any of your papers were issued abroad.
How to Download a Boarding Pass on Android
On Android phones, Google Wallet is the equivalent:
- Finish check-in in the airline’s app or mobile website.
- Tap “Save to phone” or “Add to Google Wallet.”
- The pass is stored in the Google Wallet app and works offline.
If the wallet option does not appear, download the PDF instead: tap the download link, then open it from your notifications or the Downloads folder. Some airline apps also let you add a home-screen widget showing your flight. As a fallback, email the PDF to yourself so it is reachable from any device.
How to Download and Print a Boarding Pass
A printed boarding pass is still the most reliable backup — no battery, no signal needed. To print:
- After check-in, choose “Email boarding pass” or “Download PDF.”
- Open the PDF on a computer or phone connected to a printer.
- Print at 100% scale on plain A4 or Letter paper; make sure the QR code is crisp and not cut off.
Some destinations and airlines still require a printed pass, so check your airline’s guidance for your route before relying on mobile only. Print shops are also easy to find inside UAE malls if you need one last-minute — and if you need cash for printing or anything else at the airport, see how to find ATMs at an airport.
Boarding Pass Download Options Compared
| Method | Works offline? | Updates if gate changes? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone wallet (Apple/Google) | Yes | Usually yes | Most travellers — recommended |
| PDF download | Yes | No | Backups and printing |
| Screenshot | Yes | No | Emergency backup only |
| Email copy | Needs internet to open | No | Access from another device |
| Printed copy | Yes | No | Maximum reliability |
What If the Download Fails?
The button does nothing or the page freezes
Try refreshing the page, switching browsers, or using the airline’s app instead of the website. Clearing the browser cache also fixes most stuck downloads. Do this at home or your hotel, not at the airport.
You checked in but never received the pass
Check your spam folder for the airline’s email, and look in the app under “My trips” — the pass is often there even without an email. As long as you are checked in, the airport counter can reprint your pass in seconds; your check-in is what matters, not the download.
Your phone is lost, broken, or out of battery
Go to the airline’s check-in counter or a self-service kiosk with your passport, and staff will print your pass. This is exactly why a printed backup in your bag is worth the thirty seconds it takes. If you are unsure where to go, our guide on how to find airport information desks will point you to the right help.
The QR code will not scan at the gate
Turn your screen brightness to maximum and remove any cracked screen protector glare. If it still fails, gate staff can look up your booking by passport — stay calm and ask.
Keeping Your Boarding Pass Safe
Your boarding pass shows your full name, booking reference, and sometimes frequent-flyer number. Treat it like a document:
- Do not post it on social media. A photo of your pass gives strangers enough to access or change your booking.
- Delete old passes from your wallet and email after the trip.
- Shred printed passes instead of leaving them in seat pockets.
These small habits matter more than they seem — a leaked booking reference is one of the easiest ways for someone to tamper with a reservation. Travellers moving money for trips should also keep their transactions secure; see our guide on UAE international money transfer for safe options.
Boarding Pass Rules at UAE Airports
At Dubai International (DXB) and Zayed International (AUH), mobile boarding passes are widely accepted — scanners at security and gates read phone screens. Still, keep your passport ready, as you will show it at immigration regardless of the pass format. A few things to remember:
- Dubai Airports advises passengers to have the boarding pass ready before reaching security to keep queues moving.
- Some airlines flying to specific destinations (for example, certain US-bound flights) may still ask for a printed pass — check your airline’s guidance. The UAE’s aviation regulator, the General Civil Aviation Authority, publishes passenger guidance worth a look before you fly.
- Counter bag-drop and check-in desks typically close 60 minutes before departure — a downloaded pass does not extend the deadline.
For the wider picture of what happens after you have your pass, read Airport Check-In Process Explained.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to download my boarding pass before the airport?
Not strictly — the airport can print it — but downloading it saves time and gives you a backup if counters are busy. Do it as soon as you check in.
Can I use a screenshot of my boarding pass?
Yes, as a backup. Make sure the whole QR code and your name are visible and the image is sharp. Phone-wallet passes are more reliable because they stay bright and update automatically.
Can two people share one phone for boarding passes?
Yes — swipe between passes in the wallet app at the gate. It is slower, so if you are travelling with family, put each person’s pass on their own phone where possible.
What if I lose my boarding pass at the airport?
Go to your airline’s counter or kiosk with your passport and get a reprint — it takes a minute. We cover this in detail in What to Do If You Lose Your Boarding Pass.
How early can I download my boarding pass?
As soon as online check-in opens — typically 48 hours before departure for Emirates, Etihad and flydubai, and 24 hours for Air Arabia. There is no advantage in waiting.
Is the boarding pass the same as the ticket?
No. The ticket (e-ticket) is your proof of purchase; the boarding pass is your permission to board a specific flight, issued at check-in. You need the boarding pass at the gate.
The Bottom Line
Downloading a boarding pass takes less than a minute: check in, tap “Add to wallet,” and keep a PDF or printed copy as backup. Phone-wallet passes are the best option for most travellers at UAE airports, but a printed copy in your bag is cheap insurance against dead batteries and cracked screens. And remember — the download is only half the job; be at the airport on time, because no boarding pass extends the check-in deadline.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.