Switching from a Branded App to Wallet Passes
Branded loyalty apps average an 83% uninstall rate. LoyaltyPass issues wallet passes that live in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet permanently, with no download required. Export your customer data, import it into LoyaltyPass, and switch your entire customer base in under two hours.
Why businesses leave a Branded Loyalty App
These are the friction points that push merchants to switch.
Custom branded apps average an 83% uninstall rate within 90 days. Most customers download the app once, use it once, and delete it. The loyalty program effectively reaches only a small fraction of your customer base.
Maintaining a branded app requires ongoing developer costs, app store fees ($99/year Apple, $25 Google), and updates for every iOS and Android release. These costs add up year over year with no direct return.
App store discovery means competitors appear in the same search results as your app. Customers searching for your business by name may see competitor suggestions instead.
What gets better with LoyaltyPass
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Wallet passes live in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet: they cannot be uninstalled, are always visible on the lock screen, and update in real time.
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No app maintenance. No developer dependency. No app store fees. LoyaltyPass handles all updates and infrastructure at $29/month flat.
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Push notifications delivered to the lock screen via Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, with open rates around 90% compared to 20-30% for in-app notifications.
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Customers who refused to download your branded app can now join by scanning a QR code in under 20 seconds.
How to migrate, step by step
Follow these steps in order. Most businesses complete the full switch in a single afternoon.
- 1
Export your customer data from your branded app
Contact your app developer or platform provider and request a customer data export as a CSV. You need at minimum: customer name, email or phone number, and current loyalty balance (stamps, points, or tier level).
30 minutes to 1 day depending on your provider - 2
Set up your LoyaltyPass program
Sign up at LoyaltyPass and configure your program type (stamp card or points), upload your logo, set your brand colors, and write your reward rules. Your branded wallet pass will match your visual identity.
10 minutes - 3
Decide on a balance conversion
Review your existing customer balances and decide how current points, stamps, or tier credits will convert to your new LoyaltyPass structure. Write down the conversion formula before importing.
15 minutes - 4
Import your customers
Upload your customer CSV to LoyaltyPass. Map the name, email, and loyalty balance columns. Apply your conversion formula to set each customer's starting balance. Active customers with high balances are your priority segment to retain.
20 minutes - 5
Send new wallet pass links to existing customers
Use LoyaltyPass to bulk-send each customer their wallet pass link by email or SMS. The message should acknowledge the switch, confirm their balance has been carried over, and include a one-tap link to add the pass to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.
20 minutes to set up, instant delivery - 6
Place the new enrollment QR code at your counter
Print the LoyaltyPass QR code and place it at your checkout. New customers scan it, tap to add the wallet pass, and are enrolled immediately without downloading anything.
10 minutes - 7
Sunset your branded app
Once the majority of active customers have their new wallet pass, notify your remaining app users of the switch date, give them a final push notification with the wallet pass link, and contact your app provider to cancel your subscription and remove the app from both stores.
1-2 weeks transition period
What happens to your customer data
The quality of your export depends on your app platform. Some providers export a clean CSV with customer name, email, and loyalty balance. Others require a manual request or charge a data export fee. Start the export request early: it is the most unpredictable step in the migration. If your provider cannot export a usable file, LoyaltyPass support can help you reconstruct the list from partial data.
Suggested message to send customers
Hi [first name], we are upgrading our loyalty program from the [App Name] app to a digital wallet card in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Your current balance of [X stamps/points] has been carried over. Tap the link below to add your new card, no download required: [pass link]. Thank you for being a loyal customer.
Replace [first name] and [pass link] with the actual values from LoyaltyPass bulk send.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I move customer loyalty balances from my branded app to LoyaltyPass?
- Yes. LoyaltyPass lets you set a starting balance for each imported customer. Export your customer list and loyalty balances from your existing app, apply your conversion rate, and import the CSV. Every customer keeps their existing progress on the new platform.
- Why are branded loyalty apps losing customers?
- Branded loyalty apps average an 83% uninstall rate within 90 days. Customers already have many apps on their phones and are reluctant to add another for a single business. Wallet passes require no download: they live in the Apple Wallet or Google Wallet apps customers already use daily.
- Do customers need to download anything to use LoyaltyPass?
- No. LoyaltyPass passes live in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, which are pre-installed on all iPhones and Android devices. Customers scan your QR code, tap once, and the card appears in their existing wallet app. No additional download required.
- What happens to customers who still have the old branded app?
- Send those customers a message through the app before you close it. Include their wallet pass link, confirm their balance has been transferred, and give them a clear date for the app sunset. Most active customers will make the switch when their balance is preserved and the new option is easier to use.
- How much does it cost compared to maintaining a branded app?
- LoyaltyPass starts at $29/month. A branded app typically costs $200-$500/month for a white-label platform, plus $99/year for the Apple Developer account, plus developer time for updates. Most businesses save $150-$400/month by switching to a wallet-pass program.
- Will my brand identity carry over to the wallet pass?
- Yes. LoyaltyPass wallet passes display your business name, logo, and brand color. The card looks like your brand, not a generic loyalty card. You configure the visual identity in the LoyaltyPass dashboard before the first pass is issued.
Ready to make the switch?
14-day free trial. No credit card required. Setup takes under 10 minutes.
Starting at $29/month · Apple Wallet & Google Wallet · No customer app required