Mobile Panther ID | Panther Central

Your Mobile Panther ID is now available in Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet!

Students, staff and faculty on Pitt’s Oakland campus now have the choice to use their plastic Panther Card as their ID or use a new Mobile Panther ID (a mobile credential that you will keep in your digital wallet). Your Mobile Panther ID does everything your plastic Panther Card can — from accessing buildings and dining halls to hitting the gym, checking out library books, and more.

The Mobile Panther ID works using an iPhone, Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and other eligible Android phones – and uses the digital readers and locks throughout campus. And yes, you will be able to “tap in” using your smartwatch!

Mobile Panther ID shown on phone and apple watch

Getting Started

Minimal set up is required to use your Mobile Panther ID, and most users can begin using it on their phone in minutes. An approved photo is required. If you have not uploaded your photo, follow the photo submission guidelines.

For first-year students, make sure you have submitted your photo and it’s been approved.
Download the Transact eAccounts Mobile App.
Select University of Pittsburgh and login with your Pitt credentials.
Click Add to Wallet.
Agree to the terms and conditions.
You are done and your Mobile Panther ID is ready for use in 15 minutes!
If you have questions, contact Panther Central

If you have already adopted Mobile Panther ID, and decide you would prefer your plastic Panther Card, that works too!

If you choose to only use the Mobile Panther ID:

Your plastic Panther Card will be deactivated and will no longer work to enter buildings or rooms; use your meal plan; pay with Dining Dollars or Panther Funds; or ride the bus. Instead, you will use your Mobile Panther ID.
You must use the Ready2Ride app to access the PRT buses, inclines, or rail systems.
No action is required if you adopt or have adopted Mobile Panther ID. Your plastic Panther Card will be deactivated, but you’re welcome to keep it as a souvenir.

If you want to only use your plastic Panther Card:

If you have not adopted the Mobile Panther ID, you can continue to use your Panther Card as you always have. No further action is needed.
If you downloaded and used the Mobile Panther ID but want to now only use your plastic Panther Card, submit a ticket to Panther Central to request your Panther Card remain active. Your Panther Card will remain active, and your Mobile Panther ID will be deactivated.
You must use your Panther Card to access the PRT buses, inclines, or rail systems.

Please note:

If you are required to access BST3, Bridgeside Point II, BioForge, the Murdoch Building, or the Assembly, you must use the plastic Panther Card at this time. If additional buildings become mobile-ready, we will email updates.
For personnel who require their Panther Card’s magnetic strip for internal processes, your magnetic strip will NOT be deactivated if you choose to go to the Mobile Panther ID. Panther Central will replace/provide plain magnetic strip cards on an as-needed basis.
Research and Laboratory Personnel: We realize that you may not be able to use the Mobile Panther ID due to unique security protocols for laboratory access and identification, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements that may prohibit phone access, or the need to access BST3, Bridgeside Point II, BioForge, or the Assembly. You will continue to use your Panther Card until further notice.

Additional information regarding PRT Ready2Ride:

PRT Ready2Ride was initially made available to all staff, faculty, and students. However, to prevent individuals from possessing multiple bus credentials, it will now only be available to those who have adopted the Mobile Panther ID. Those who use plastic Panther Cards will only be able to use their Panther Card to ride the bus.
It may take up to 24 hours after registering for Ready2Ride with your standard Pitt email address (e.g., ABC1@pitt.edu) for your monthly bus pass to become available. Please note that email aliases will not work.

For more information on setting up your digital devices, click on the links below for your operating system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I use my Mobile Panther ID?

Doors and Building Access
Laundry
Libraries
Dining Hall Turnstiles
Bookstore
All Pitt Eats locations
Student Recreation
Residence Hall Gyms
Guest Check-in
Cart Sign-Out
Parking Access

I am not having success adding my Mobile Panther ID to my device. Who can help me?

Contact Panther Central at (412) 648-1100.

Do I still need my physical Panther Card?

No, not if you are using the Mobile Panther ID. Your plastic Panther Card will be deactivated if you convert to the Mobile Panther ID. You may have an active physical Panther Card OR a Mobile Panther ID – but not both.

Can I still use my physical Panther Card once I have created my Mobile Panther ID?

You will need to choose between the Mobile Panther ID and the plastic card. Your Panther Card will be deactivated if you use the Mobile Panther ID. Remember, the Mobile Panther ID is a privilege and benefit of being part of the University of Pittsburgh community. Anyone found to be misusing their physical card or Mobile Panther ID will be subject to the applicable Code of Conduct or HR policies regarding fraud and/or misconduct.

How do I update information on my Mobile Panther ID?

Name information on the Mobile Panther ID comes to us from the University’s core business systems and needs to be updated there. Students should contact the Registrar’s Office. Faculty and staff should contact their HR representative to request updates. Once changes are completed, the updates will sync to the Mobile Panther ID on your phone within 48 hours.

I am leaving the University. What happens to my Mobile Panther ID?

As with your physical Panther Card, your Mobile Panther ID will become inactive when you no longer meet eligibility requirements. If you transfer to another participating program or department at Pitt, your credential will stay active and update accordingly.

How do I activate and install multifactor authentication?

Instructions can be found here.

Why are my account balance(s) not displaying?

If your account balances are $0, they will not display until funds are added.
If you have available funds that are not displaying, please contact Panther Central at (412) 648-1100.

Why do I have a negative balance on my Mobile Panther ID?

A negative balance can occur if you make a transaction when a retail device is offline. When the device comes back online and the transaction is posted, you will see a negative balance if there are not enough funds in your account to cover the transaction.

How do I change or recover my school login password (Pitt Passport)?

Contact the Technology Help Desk 412-624-HELP (4357).

I already have the Transact eAccounts mobile app installed. Do I need to update?

You should check and install any updates for the Transact eAccounts app.

How do I update the Transact eAccounts mobile app?

On your device, visit the App Store or Google Play Store and search Transact eAccounts. The store will prompt you to install any required updates.

My balance is different on my device than in Transact eAccounts?

Confirm your device is not in airplane mode or experiencing any other service interruption. Updates cannot be made when there is no connecting service to sync data between Transact eAccounts and your device. The Transact eAccounts app will display the most current information.

Can I use my Mobile Panther ID if my phone's battery is dead?

Yes, but it depends on your device.

iPhone users: If you have an iPhone XS, XS Max, or XR (or newer), you can use Express Mode with power reserve for up to five hours after your phone shuts down due to low battery. (Learn more at Apple Support.) Older iPhones (iPhone 8 and earlier) do not support this feature.
Samsung users: If you have an eligible Samsung Galaxy phone or watch, you can make up to 15 transactions within 24 hours after your device powers off from low battery.

Securing Your Account

What should I do if I lose my card or device, or if I believe there has been fraudulent use of my Mobile Panther ID?

Contact Panther Central at (412) 648-1100 to notify us to deactivate your Mobile Panther ID. Be sure to specify whether the physical card, watch, and/or phone version of the card should be deactivated. Any device not specified to be suspended will remain active.

If you suspect fraudulent activity using Panther Funds, Pitt Cash, or Dining Dollars, contact Panther Central and report the suspected fraud. If door access was involved, also contact Panther Central at (412) 648-1100.

Also, users can deactivate their own credentials by following these steps:

Open the Transact eAccounts app.
Click the settings gear in the upper right corner. 
Select the Card Management option.
Choose the credential you want to deactivate and toggle it off.
You will receive a confirmation email. Only the selected credential will be deactivated. All other credentials will remain active.

In the Transact eAccounts web version:

Select Card Services
Select Deactivate Card
Select the credential to deactivate and click on Deactivate Card
You will receive a confirmation email. Only the selected card will be deactivated. All other credentials will remain active.

Additional instructions for Lost/Found Apple devices and Find My iPhone

Additional instructions for Lost/Found Samsung devices and SmartThings Find

How do I reactivate my Mobile Panther ID if I find my lost device?

To reactivate a found device that was suspended, perform the following steps:

Open the Transact eAccounts App.
Click the settings gear in the upper right corner. 
Select the Card Management option.
Choose the credential you want to reactivate and toggle it on.
You will receive a confirmation email. Only the selected card will be reactivated.

In the Transact eAccounts Web Version:

Select Card Services
Select Activate Card
Select the credential to reactivate
You will receive a confirmation email. Only the selected card will be reactivated.

To access the full User Guide & FAQs for each of the available digital wallets, please use the links below: