iPhone Transit Card: How to Use Tmoney with Apple Pay

Frustrated that you couldn’t use a transit card on your iPhone? Now all you need is your iPhone or Apple Watch.

Once you add Tmoney to Apple Pay, you can ride the subway and buses just by tapping your phone — no physical card, no wallet required.

Today we’ll walk through how to add Tmoney to Apple Pay (a Korea-first from Tmoney), how to top it up, and even how to get K-Pass refunds — all in one place.

1. Yes, your iPhone really can be a transit card

Apple Pay Tmoney is a prepaid transit card added to your Apple Wallet, used with your iPhone or Apple Watch.

Tmoney became the first in Korea to support it on July 22, 2025. You can use it not only on all public transit that accepts Tmoney, but also at cafés, convenience stores, and other retail and online stores.

2. Setting up is easier than you’d think

When you create the card in the Wallet app, an initial top-up is required. So if you don’t have a card registered yet, the Mobile Tmoney app is the way to go.

1) Register via the Mobile Tmoney app (recommended)

1. Install the “Mobile Tmoney” app from the App Store.
2. Issue a Tmoney card in the app. You don’t need to top up at first.
3. It’s automatically added to your Apple Wallet.
4. Top up using a bank account, KakaoPay, or mileage — whichever is easiest.

2) Register via the Apple Wallet app

1. Open your iPhone’s built-in Wallet app.
2. Tap the + (Add) button in the top right.
3. Select Transit Card, then choose South Korea (Tmoney) from the country list.
4. Set your initial top-up amount (minimum ₩3,000) and complete the payment. (When topping up inside the Wallet app, you’ll need a Hyundai Card registered to Apple Pay.)

3. Riding is even easier

Just turn on Express Mode — no screen, no Face ID needed.

Simply tap your phone on the reader, and you pass right through on both subway and bus. When you first add Tmoney, Express Mode usually turns on automatically.

To set it: go to Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay → Express Transit Card.

Even if your battery dies and your phone powers off, Power Reserve keeps it working for up to 5 hours.

4. How to get a refund

Apple Pay Tmoney balance refunds can only be requested through the Mobile Tmoney app, to a bank account in your own name. Note that the iPhone Wallet app itself has no refund function.

1. Open the “Mobile Tmoney” app.
2. In the full menu, tap Transit Card Refund.
3. Enter the bank account details (in your own name) to receive the refund.
4. Once your request is submitted, the amount is deposited to the account you entered.

5. Don’t miss out on K-Pass refunds

Register as a Mobile Tmoney K-Pass, and even transit fares paid with your iPhone are refundable. It’s the only mobile K-Pass that works on both iPhone and Galaxy.

Mobile Tmoney K-Pass gives you two benefits together: the government K-Pass base refund (20% general, 30% youth, up to 53.3% for low-income users), plus an extra 10% of your transit spending accrued by Tmoney.

It’s issued right in the app with no physical card, no annual fee, and no minimum spending conditions.

After applying for K-Pass in the app, be sure to register the issued card number on the K-Pass website or app. Usage before registration is not applied retroactively.

▶️ 아이폰·갤럭시 모두 되는 유일한 K-패스, 모바일티머니

6. This is for you if…

• You’re an iPhone user who couldn’t fully use Apple Pay without a Hyundai Card
• You ride buses and subways often and found physical cards a hassle
• You want to make the most of transit refunds and cashbac

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can’t I use an iPhone transit card without a Hyundai Card?

You can. If you issue the card through the Mobile Tmoney app, you can issue and top up without a Hyundai Card — using bank transfer, KakaoPay, T-mileage, or another card issuer. A card registered to Apple Pay is only needed when topping up inside the Apple Wallet app.

Q2. Can a postpaid transit card be added to Apple Pay?

No. Only prepaid Tmoney can be added to Apple Wallet. The postpaid transit function attached to a credit card is not supported.

Q3. Can I use it on an Apple Watch?

Yes. But moving it from the Wallet app to your watch is a transfer, not a copy — so it disappears from your iPhone. For security, each device is assigned its own separate card number.

Q4. Can foreigners use Tmoney on an iPhone?

As of March 18, 2026, you can top up in the Mobile Tmoney app with overseas-issued cards (Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay, JCB).

Q5. Do I get K-Pass refunds the same way on iPhone?

Yes. Once registered as a Mobile Tmoney K-Pass, iPhone and Apple Watch users get the same base refund plus Tmoney’s extra 10% accrual. You’ll also need to register your card number on the K-Pass website or app, and usage before registration is not applied retroactively.