How is it different from a notification?
Apple describes relevance as passive: a relevant pass is placed on the lock screen so it is easy to find, without an alert sound. A push notification, by contrast, is posted when the pass changes. Relevant locations are Apple’s version of a geofence; Google Wallet has a similar feature called merchant locations.
What are the rules?
- Up to 10 locations per pass.
- For store cards (the style used for loyalty cards), iOS uses a small radius, of the order of a hundred metres. A pass can ask for a smaller radius, not a larger one.
- Each location can carry a relevant text. Apple asks that it says why the pass is relevant (“Store nearby”) without repeating the shop name or giving orders.
- iOS decides when to show the pass; the exact radius may change between versions.
Why does it matter for a shop?
Customers who see your card as they pass your door are reminded that they have stamps waiting, at the one moment they can act on it.
How does Fidelia handle it?
With Pro, the locations of your shops are added to every customer’s pass automatically, with a radius of 100 m and a reminder text you write per language. If you move or add a shop, every pass is updated.