The Penn State Mobile id+ Card
The mobile id+ card is Penn State's primary credential. It allows students, faculty, and staff to use their iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android device to access campus buildings, securely make purchases with a meal plan or LionCash, and so much more. If you have questions, email the id+ Office at [email protected].
LionCash
The mobile id+ card makes it easy to use your prepaid LionCash account to purchase food and merchandise on- or off-campus.
Building Access
Students, faculty, and staff can use their mobile id+ card to access academic buildings, assigned residence halls, and other facilities.
Campus Amenities
Use your Penn State Mobile id+ Card to access campus amenities and pay for laundry, vending machines, and more.
Do you have a new phone? Don't forget to take these important steps to enroll your new device.
Setup Instructions
To get started, follow the setup instructions listed below. If you are a student at Beaver, Behrend, Greater Allegheny, Harrisburg, or Mont Alto, please remember after May 9, mobile id+ users will not be able to use physical id+ cards. If you want to activate mobile id+ after May 9, you must visit the Housing and Food Services Office. For help, contact [email protected] or read the mobile id+ Frequently Asked Questions.
Step 1: Submit your photo
Submit your photo and a picture of your valid government-issued photo ID. Please note if you are an existing Penn State student or employee, your photo is already on record, and you do not need to complete this step. For more information, visit idcard.psu.edu/photo-submission or email [email protected].
Step 2: Download Transact eAccounts
Use your mobile device to download the Transact eAccounts app or scan the QR code.
Step 3: Getting Started
Open the Transact eAccounts app and log into your Penn State account. If you are a first-time user, select Penn State as your institution.
Step 4: Activate your mobile id+ card
Add your mobile id+ card to your Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or Samsung Wallet. To learn more, watch the step-by-step video on how to activate your mobile id+ card on different devices.
Low Balance Alerts
Penn State students can now sign up for a low-balance alert for their campus meal plan, commuter meal plan, and/or LionCash. The low-balance alert is managed through the student’s eAccounts. For help, contact [email protected].
Follow these steps to set up a low-balance alert:
- Under the Profile tab, select Alert Preferences and enter the chosen balance threshold.
- Determine an amount to set as the low-balance threshold.
- A notification will be sent when the account balance drops below the threshold.
Frequently Asked Questions
A physical id+ card may still be necessary at certain campus locations. However, all residence halls, administrative facilities, and academic buildings will be compatible with the mobile id+ card by the summer of 2025. To learn more, read Penn State Mobile id+ Card to serve as University's primary credential.
Will my id+ card still work if I don't have a mobile id+ card?
The new electronic doors and card access readers will feature tap technology that is compliant with both your id+ card and mobile id+ card. When it is time for your area or campus to be upgraded, your access and facility coordinators will be proactively notified by the Office of Physical Security.
Our current focus is implementing this new tap technology at the Beaver, Behrend, Greater Allegheny, Harrisburg, and Mount Alto campus locations. The upgrades at these pilot campuses will be complete by the summer of 2024. The remaining Penn State campuses will be upgraded by the summer of 2025.
How do I enroll my new device?
If you are getting a new phone or have a new personal device such as a smartwatch or tablet, you will need to enroll it in Microsoft Multifactor Authentication (MFA).
To deactivate your phone or smartwatch, submit a deactivation request. Please note it may take several minutes for the Transact eAccounts app to update before it allows you to add another device. If you have questions, you can also contact the id+ Office at [email protected].
For help, contact the IT Service Desk via chat, submit a Get Help ticket, call 814-865-4357, or email [email protected].
Who is exempted from getting the mobile id+ card?
Exceptions will be made for technical service employees, students, and other employees with approved exemptions. These exemptions include:
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Approved personal and religious reasons
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If your device is not a smartphone that is compatible with tap technology
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If you do not have a smartphone or mobile device readily available
Is an approved photo required to activate my mobile id+ card?
Yes, your photo must be approved prior to adding the mobile id+ card. To learn more about submitting your photo, visit idcard.psu.edu/photo-submission.
If you have questions, please contact the id+ Office at [email protected].
How do I add my mobile id+ card to my wallet?
Once you have downloaded the Transact eAccounts app, click the "Add to Wallet" button.
If you do not see this button or your mobile id+ card is not in your wallet, contact the id+ Office at [email protected].
How do I set my iPhone's region to the United States?
To activate your mobile id+ card, your phone's region needs to be set to the United States (US). Follow these directions:
- Tap on settings and select your username.
- Choose Media & Purchases - View Account - Country/Region.
- Change your region to the US and input your payment method (required).
- You will be prompted to cancel any recurring subscriptions that require payment, such as Apple Music. Please note the region cannot be changed until all paid subscriptions have ended. Subscriptions can be canceled in the Apple ID settings.
- After updating the region, return to the eAccounts app and select Add to Wallet.
Who can help me with Microsoft Multifactor Authentication issues?
If you are experiencing issues with Microsoft Authenticator, please contact Penn State IT via phone at (814) 865-4357 or email at [email protected].
For more information, visit accounts.psu.edu/mfa.
What do I do if my Apple device is not letting me add my mobile id+ card?
If you are unable to add your mobile id+ card after several attempts, please log out of iCloud and log back in before attempting again.
If there are any concerns about your username, password, or 2-Factor Authentication (2FA), try logging on to iCloud.com from a web browser.
Can I activate my mobile id+ card on my Samsung device?
If you have a Samsung phone and/or a Samsung Watch 6, please visit Samsung Wallet (transactcampus.com).