# SmarTrip

> Manage SmarTrip transit cards and accounts for fare management and transit passes. (iPhone/iPad app by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartrip/id1516539463 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority](https://appshunter.io/developer/1257235533)
- Category: Travel, Navigation
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.50/5 from 57 App Store ratings · 325 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 66 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2020-08-31
- Data updated: 2026-08-25
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartrip/id1516539463/reviews.md

## What is SmarTrip?

This app is an OPTIONAL tool that allows you to manage your SmarTrip® card and account. This app can NOT be used to pay your transit or parking fares. You do NOT need to setup a SmarTrip account to use SmarTrip in Apple Wallet. 

Add SmarTrip to Apple Wallet:

-	Open Apple Wallet on iPhone or Apple Watch

-	Tap “+”, choose “Transit Card”, select “SmarTrip”

-	In less than a minute you’ll have a new SmarTrip card in your Apple Wallet and be ready to tap to pay for rides or parking anywhere SmarTrip is accepted. 

If you need to do account management, then:

-	Install this optional SmarTrip app to register your card for account balance protection, check SmartBenefits, setup Auto-Reload, or buy money-saving unlimited transit passes. 

Chat with us at WMATA.COM/CHAT or call 888-SMARTRIP (888-762-7874)

## Key features

- Manage SmarTrip card and account
- Add SmarTrip to Apple Wallet
- Register card for balance protection
- Check SmartBenefits
- Setup Auto-Reload
- Buy unlimited transit passes

## Chart rankings

- #210 in Top Free · Travel (US App Store)

## What do users think of SmarTrip?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient for commuting
- 🚀 Seamless integration with Apple Wallet
- 🚀 Straightforward account setup

**Cons**

- 🐛 Unreliable card reading at turnstiles
- 🐛 Delayed balance updates
- 🐛 Buggy app functionality
- 🔒 Excessive personal information required
- 🔒 Difficult to recover account
- 💰 Additional fees for digital cards

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Unable to activate account due to missing activation email
- Password reset process not working
- Inconsistent behavior when adding value to card

**Most requested features**

- Ability to transfer balance between cards
- Real-time balance updates
- Improved trip planning tools
- Apple Watch support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 325)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartrip/id1516539463/reviews.md

### 1/5 — worst app I have ever used

*2026-08-06, version 2.0.144*

I bought a monthly unlimited pass but there is no way to add it to Apple wallet or use it. So I’ve had to spend my own credit card on top of this big monthly fee. 

When trying to talk to customer service all of them say they can’t help with any issues. 

All the features are not straight forward and when purchasing they definitely don’t make this clear how to actually use what u buy.

### 2/5 — Not Up To Speed

*2026-08-06, version 2.0.144*

Having read multiple negative, and a couple positive, reviews I decided to see for myself. I'm a former IT pro, and I landed in the middle but on the "disappointed" side of the fence. 

The app feels old and inflexible, and it's just not intuitive. I purchased a second SmarTrip card by mistake because instructions were unclear and the app doesn't take into context what you've already purchased. 

Also, I tried multiple times to set up autoload but never succeeded. 

The most frustrating part is that there's no good reason this app can't be spectacular. It just seems that Metro's programmers (or their outsourced programmers) don't have a bird's eye understanding of the various tasks the app needs to perform.

I'll give Metro the same advice as I give to every other company that has public-facing software: ask the CEO to use it and watch. If they don't find it intuitive, the general public won't, either. Then it's back to the drawing board.

### 1/5 — Absolute trash

*2026-07-19, version 2.0.144*

How difficult it is to create an account? This app has mastered it. Had to reset my password 3 times before giving up. The app will simply not accept your correct password to save your life. The developers of this app should return their degrees.

### 1/5 — Terrible doesn’t work

*2026-07-13, version 2.0.144*

I have a MetroCard in the app that I can use to ride the train. When I try to add value to the card, it gives me an error. Troubleshooting is pointless.

### 1/5 — not for travelers

*2026-07-09, version 2.0.144*

only for US

### 1/5 — c'est réellement mauvais

*2026-07-04, version 2.0.144*

Si tu n'as pas de num américain tu ne peux pas créer de compte (donc pas acheter de carte)
Tu as cependant accès à une map interactive qui te donne ton trajet (youpi !), mais celle d'apple plan est déjà meilleure, donc aucun intérêt

Cette application est donc totalement inutile si comme moi vous êtes en vacances aux US

### 1/5 — Don’t fall for it - just pay with your card

*2026-06-28, version 2.0.144*

The DC metro refers everyone to their app, but it’s glitchy, there’s no customer service. Nothing works. Even trying to call their so called customer service doesn’t work. All you receive is a recording that they are closed. The help link doesn’t do anything. Worst mistake ever was downloading this virus to my phone. If I could give it negative stars, I would.

### 1/5 — Clown show extraordinaire

*2026-06-27, version 2.0.144*

What an absolute joke of an app. I only leave reviews if something is so extraordinarily bad that I have to take time out of my busy day to rate the application.

The create account process requiring three security questions?!?!

I am at loss for words

### 1/5 — This app sucks

*2026-06-23, version 2.0.144*

This app does not work. I hate it.

### 1/5 — Will randomly cancel your card mid trip

*2026-06-14, version 2.0.144*

Card added to Apple wallet no problem.  Card let me scan into a trip, then would not let me scan out, suddenly said card inactive cannot be used.   Then had to create a new card and add to wallet, but at that point you still can’t scan out because it thinks you never scanned in.  Also fun to try to set up a new card while having no service in the metro station, and very very poor public metro WiFi.

## Frequently asked questions about SmarTrip

### What does the SmarTrip app do?

The SmarTrip app is an optional tool that allows you to manage your SmarTrip card and account. You can register your card for account balance protection, check your SmartBenefits, set up Auto-Reload, or purchase money-saving unlimited transit passes.

### Can I pay for fares with this app?

No, this app cannot be used to pay your transit or parking fares directly. However, you can add your SmarTrip card to Apple Wallet and use that to tap and pay for rides or parking where SmarTrip is accepted.

### Is this app free to use?

Yes, the SmarTrip app is a free tool. There are no charges to download or use the app itself. Any purchases made within the app, such as transit passes, will have their own associated costs.

### What are the benefits of registering my card?

Registering your SmarTrip card provides account balance protection, meaning you won't lose your balance if your card is lost or stolen. It also allows you to check your SmartBenefits and set up Auto-Reload for convenience.

### How do I add my SmarTrip card to Apple Wallet?

To add your SmarTrip card to Apple Wallet, open Apple Wallet on your iPhone or Apple Watch, tap '+', choose 'Transit Card', and then select 'SmarTrip'. Your card will be added in less than a minute.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.144 — 2026-02-14

The latest version of this app contains bug fixes and performance improvements

### 2.0.142 — 2025-10-30

The latest version of this app contains bug fixes and performance improvements

### 2.0.141 — 2025-07-25

The latest version of this app contains bug fixes and performance improvements

### 2.0.140 — 2025-02-11

The latest version of this app contains bug fixes and performance improvements

### 2.0.137 — 2024-05-30

The latest version of this app contains bug fixes and performance improvements

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## More apps by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

- [Metro Pulse](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/metro-pulse/id6737127867)

All apps by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority: https://appshunter.io/developer/1257235533

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-25.*