Hi, I’m Kayla Sox. I used the ASU digital ID every day as a student. Doors, dining, gym, library—you name it. I still keep the plastic Sun Card in a drawer, but honestly, I barely touch it now.
Let me explain how it actually felt to live with it, day in and day out. By the way, if you're curious how a different system stacked up, here’s another student’s year-long review of ASUS Digital ID.
Quick take: it works, and it’s fast
The short version? Tap your phone or watch, and go. No fishing for a card. No weird fumbling. When it’s hot and your hands are sweaty on Palm Walk, that little tap feels like magic.
If you’d like a broader look at where digital identity is headed, this quick primer breaks it down in plain English.
But it’s not perfect. I’ll get to that.
How I set it up (and what tripped me up)
- I added my ASU ID to Apple Wallet from the ASU app. It took about 2 minutes. (Arizona’s official Apple Wallet guide is also handy if you want the step-by-step basics.)
- Express Mode turned on, so I didn’t need Face ID every time. Just tap and done.
- I also added it to my Apple Watch. That was a game changer at the gym.
If you're curious about device compatibility, meal plan usage, or how to troubleshoot a misbehaving reader, ASU keeps an updated Mobile ID FAQ that answers most of those what-ifs before they happen.
Tiny hiccup: my MagSafe wallet blocked the reader. I had to flip my phone or slide the wallet off. After that, smooth sailing.
My friend Alex used a Pixel 7. His Google Wallet worked too, but he had to wake the screen for some readers. Not a deal breaker—just a small extra step.
Real moments that sold me
Move-in day mayhem
I was hauling bins, a fan, and a random bag of snacks. My hands were full. I got to the dorm door, tapped my phone to the little square reader, and it clicked open. No digging in a backpack. No “Wait, where’s my card?” Honestly, it saved my morning.
Dinner at the MU
I went to the dining hall at the Memorial Union with two friends. I used my meal swipe with a quick tap. The screen flashed green, and the cashier waved me through. When I used M&G Dollars at the grill, it just pulled from the right balance. No guesswork.
The printing panic
Five minutes before a lab, I had to print a PDF. I tapped my phone at the release station by Hayden Library. It pulled up my queue and charged me like normal. I grabbed the pages and ran. It felt like a tiny win on a very loud day.
Gym check-in with sweaty hands
At the Sun Devil Fitness Complex, I hate holding my phone while I work out. So I used my Apple Watch to tap in. Beep, gate opens. No fuss. I kept my phone in my locker and never worried.
Late night, low battery
This one surprised me. My phone battery was super low after a long study night. I still got into my hall with a tap. I wouldn’t push it every time, but it worked that night, and I was grateful.
Where it stumbled
- Some doors are picky. The reader sits left of the handle, and if I tapped too high, it didn’t read. I learned to touch the flat circle on the reader, not the side.
- My thick case (with the magnet) caused misses. If your case is chunky, you may have to try again.
- A few events asked me to use the barcode in the ASU app, not the Wallet pass. So I kept both ready.
- Once, a dining reader froze. The cashier told me to try the next lane. It worked there, but I did feel silly standing with my tray and a line behind me.
What I liked most
- It’s quick. Tap and move. That’s huge between classes.
- It cuts clutter. I stopped carrying my lanyard.
- It’s safer. If I misplace my phone, I can lock it fast. A loose card? Not so simple.
- It’s great for habit stuff: gym check-ins, quick snack runs, library stops. The small wins add up.
What I didn’t love
- Reader quirks. A slow reader can throw off your rhythm.
- Case drama. If you have a magnetic wallet, you might have to adjust.
- Not everything uses the Wallet pass. Some things still want the in-app barcode or even a manual check.
- If your phone truly dies, you’re stuck. It helped me on low battery once, but I don’t count on that every time.
Tips I wish someone told me
- Turn on Express Mode. It saves seconds, and those seconds matter before an 8 a.m. class.
- Add it to your watch if you have one. The gym feels easier.
- Practice the tap. Sounds silly, but knowing where the reader coil is speeds things up.
- Keep the ASU app handy. Some events still scan the barcode in there.
- If a reader fails, try another lane or reader. It’s often the device, not you.
If you’re the kind of student who learns best from clear, step-by-step walkthroughs—whether that’s setting up a digital ID, troubleshooting a stubborn reader, or just staying organized for campus life—take a look at this ever-growing library of practical how-to guides that breaks down each task with screenshots and pro tips so you can nail it on the first try.
Who it’s great for
- First-years who lose cards. Been there.
- People living in the halls. Door taps all day long.
- Gym regulars who don’t want to juggle stuff.
- Anyone who likes quick check-ins—dining, printers, library.
Digital IDs aren’t limited to campus life, either. States are rolling out versions of their own—Illinois just launched ILogin, and here’s one user’s honest take on that roll-out.
On a totally different note, if you’re curious how smaller, location-based services are embracing the same kind of streamlined, mobile-first access, check out Listcrawler Leesburg, which showcases a minimalist directory that lets you browse local listings quickly without mandatory sign-ups or extra clicks.
My verdict
You know what? I’m a fan. The ASU digital ID isn’t flashy. It’s simple and steady. Most days, it just works, and that’s all I want. It made busy days feel a little lighter—hands free, head clear, less rummaging in a bag.
It’s not perfect—some readers are fussy, and you still need the app for a few things. But for campus life, it’s a real upgrade. If you’re at ASU and you haven’t set it up yet, do it when you’re calm, not when you’re late. Then you’ll feel the difference when it counts.