Order tracking: Apple Wallet will be much better at it in future thanks to AI
With iOS 26, Apple can identify orders from emails and track them automatically in the Wallet app using AI. However, this is not yet possible for us.
Tracking of orders in iOS 26.
(Image: Apple)
Apple's Wallet was supposed to become the central point of contact for purchases on the iPhone. Not only should you be able to pay with Apple Pay cards, you should also be able to track the order placed with them. The problem: e-commerce providers previously had to implement their code for this, but only a small selection of companies did so. This is now set to improve with iOS 26: Apple's operating system can extract order information from emails on request and then bring their history into the Wallet. This works thanks to Apple Intelligence.
No longer just for special retailers
“Apple Wallet now uses Apple Intelligence to automatically recognize, summarize, and display tracking details in emails from retailers and suppliers,” writes Apple. This works with all orders, “so users can view all order details, delivery status, and more in one place.” Unfortunately, the feature has not yet been activated for Europe. Apparently only Americans can use it at first. The function, which is otherwise hidden in the Wallet settings, does not appear on iPhones with a German Apple account. Only the old Order Tracking can currently be found here, which is only available for “participating retailers.” – i.e., those who have implemented Apple's code—is available.
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On US devices, there is an additional switch in the Wallet settings that says “Mail (Beta)”. This allows Apple Intelligence and Siri to supply the Wallet with order information from Apple Mail on the device. As is usual with all other Apple Intelligence functions, recognition only works on supported devices. These are all iPhone 16 series, iPhone 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max, as well as all iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air.
Function cannot yet be activated in Germany
Users who have tried out the function report that it usually works well. The Wallet recognizes the various delivery status forms, such as “On the way,” “delivered,” or “in delivery,” and is supposed to update them regularly. However, the data always seems to come from Apple Mail, so those who regularly check their emails already know about it. Nevertheless, the overview in one place in the system is useful.
In the Wallet, it is also possible to send emails to the retailer or view the emails associated with the order. Apple also links to the websites of parcel service providers where possible. Apple Mail also recognizes emails associated with orders and then offers tracking in Wallet, which you may have to allow, according to Apple. It is not yet clear when the feature will be available in Germany.
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(bsc)