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Welcome Suica Mobile: the visitor Suica app

The app works only on devices that support Apple Pay, and some versions of iOS and watchOS are not supported. On the App Store, Welcome Suica Mobile lists its compatibility as an iPhone with iOS 17.2 or later, and an Apple Watch Series 3 or later. JR East says it started the Welcome Suica Mobile service on iOS in March 2025.

Updated

On sale

On iPhone

iPhone
The app works only on devices that support Apple Pay, and some versions of iOS and watchOS are not supported.
iPhone
On the App Store, Welcome Suica Mobile lists its compatibility as an iPhone with iOS 17.2 or later, and an Apple Watch Series 3 or later.
iPhone
The FAQ lists the compatible devices as iPhone XR/XS and later, updated to iOS 17.2 or higher, and Apple Watch Series 3 and later, and says to keep iOS updated to the latest version.

On Android

Android (Samsung Galaxy)
JR East is working to make Welcome Suica Mobile available in the first half of 2027 on Samsung Galaxy smartphones that Samsung sells overseas, so that visitors can use an Android phone bought abroad; sales regions and supported models will be announced later.

The app

On sale?
JR East says it started the Welcome Suica Mobile service on iOS in March 2025.
App
To issue a Suica, download the app before your trip, agree to the terms and conditions, set a secret keyword used for inquiries, and turn on location information, which is used to determine whether value can be added.
App
On the App Store, Welcome Suica Mobile is listed as a free app only for iPhone, developed by East Japan Railway Company, in English.
App
The support center provides assistance by email in English only.
JR East says Welcome Suica Mobile was linked with JR-EAST Train Reservation in October 2025 for ticketless reserved seats on limited express trains and Shinkansen, and Suica Green Car ticket purchase was added in March 2026.
Card to phone
You can move the digital Suica to another iOS or watchOS device signed in with the same Apple ID: delete it in Wallet on the old device, where the card information is saved to the server, then set it up again on the new device. It cannot be moved between different Apple IDs.
Card to phone
The old device must still have an internet connection; if it cannot communicate or is broken and the Suica cannot be saved to the server, contact Apple Care.
Card to phone
You cannot transfer the balance from one Suica to another, and your Welcome Suica Mobile balance cannot be refunded.

The official wording

The official wording
East Japan Railway Company (JR East)App is only compatible with Apple Pay supported devices.Some versions of iOS and watchOS are not supported.Welcome Suica Mobile
AppleCompatibility: iPhone with iOS 17.2 or later, and Apple Watch Series 3 or later.‎Welcome Suica Mobile App - App Store
East Japan Railway Company (JR East)The remaining balance will not be refunded and will expire at the end of the validity period which is 180days from the date of issue. Remaining balance on the app is non-refundable.Welcome Suica Mobile
AppleTop-ups are done through the credit card registered to Apple Pay. You don’t need to register your credit card information within the app. … Payment method: Apple Pay only.‎Welcome Suica Mobile App - App Store
East Japan Railway Company (JR East)Download the app before your trip Agree to the terms and conditions Set up your secret keyword *Used to make inquiries. Turn on Location Information *Used to determine if value can be added.Welcome Suica Mobile
AppleOnly for iPhone Free … Developer East Japan Railway Company Language EN English‎Welcome Suica Mobile App - App Store
AppleThe support center provides assistance via email in English only.‎Welcome Suica Mobile App - App Store
East Japan Railway Company (JR East)iPhone XR/XS and later (must be updated to iOS 17.2 or higher) … Apple Watch Series 3 and later … To ensure proper use, always keep iOS updated to the latest version.What devices are compatible with Welcome Suica Mob
East Japan Railway Company (JR East)By following the steps below, you can top up your Suica using the credit card set up with Apple Pay (Wallet). … Tap [Top up]. … Set the amount and tap [Top Up with Apple Pay]. … Authenticate with Touch ID/Face ID.I want to top up my Suica using the credit card se
East Japan Railway Company (JR East)You can top-up your Suica with cash using the following methods. [Convenience stores offering Suica top-up] Inform the store clerk that you would like to charge (top-up) your Suica. [Seven Bank ATMs (excluding some locations)] [Lawson Bank ATMs (excluding some locations)] … Some stations have tray-style charge (top-up) machines that support Welcome Suica Mobile. … Note: Charge (top-up) machines installed by some private railways, bus companies, or stores may not be compatible with Welcome Suica Mobile.I would like to top-up my Suica with cash.
East Japan Railway Company (JR East)If you have lost the iPhone from which you issued your Suica via the Welcome Suica Mobile app (including theft), follow these steps to reissue your Suica. … Contact the Welcome Suica Mobile Support Center via email to suspend your Suica. … Sign in to iCloud from another device using the Apple ID and passcode of the lost device, then delete your Suica. … After 5 a.m. the following day (Japan time), reconfigure the Suica on a new device.I lost the iPhone/Apple Watch on which I set up a
East Japan Railway Company (JR East)the following functions (×) will not be available until you reset Suica after 5:00 AM Japan time the next morning. … × Use or top-up of SF (electronic money) × Purchase, use, or refund of Discount Passes … Cancellation of the application is not possible.Reissue Registration (Usage Suspension Procedure)
East Japan Railway Company (JR East)The Suica in question will remain displayed in the wallet even after the reissuance procedure. Please delete the Suica from the wallet after applying. … If you hold the Suica over a ticket gate or register reader before resetting it, the reissued Suica will not be able to be reset.Reissue Registration (Usage Suspension Procedure)
East Japan Railway Company (JR East)You can transfer your digital Suica card to another iOS/watchOS device (Suica-compatible) signed in with the same Apple ID. … * Suica cannot be transferred between different Apple IDs. … On the old device (iPhone or Apple Watch), launch the Wallet app and delete the Suica you wish to transfer (the information for the card will be stored in the server). … On the new device (iPhone), launch the Wallet app and reconfigure the Suica that was saved to the server.[Changing or replacing devices] From an iOS/watchO
East Japan Railway Company (JR East)Make sure the old device still has an internet connection. … If the old device cannot communicate or is broken and you cannot save the Suica to the server in Step 1, contact Apple Care[Changing or replacing devices] From an iOS/watchO
East Japan Railway Company (JR East)You cannot transfer the balance from one Suica to another. Additionally, your Welcome Suica Mobile balance cannot be refunded.Can I transfer the balance from one Suica to anoth
East Japan Railway Company (JR East)Digital Suica cards issued through the Welcome Suica Mobile app cannot be refunded.Upon expiration of the validity period, the balance cannot be refunded. Please feel free to use the Suica balance for transportation and shopping within Japan within the period.I would like to get a refund for a balance on a Su

Frequently asked questions

Which iPhones work with Welcome Suica Mobile?

The app works only on devices that support Apple Pay, and some versions of iOS and watchOS are not supported. On the App Store, Welcome Suica Mobile lists its compatibility as an iPhone with iOS 17.2 or later, and an Apple Watch Series 3 or later.

Which Android phones work with Welcome Suica Mobile?

JR East is working to make Welcome Suica Mobile available in the first half of 2027 on Samsung Galaxy smartphones that Samsung sells overseas, so that visitors can use an Android phone bought abroad; sales regions and supported models will be announced later.

How do I top up Welcome Suica Mobile?

The App Store listing says top-ups use the credit card registered in Apple Pay, card details are not entered in the app, and the payment method is Apple Pay only. A February 2025 JR East release lists two ways to top up Welcome Suica Mobile: a credit card registered in Apple Pay, or cash at tray-type ticket machines.

Can I move a plastic card to Welcome Suica Mobile?

You can move the digital Suica to another iOS or watchOS device signed in with the same Apple ID: delete it in Wallet on the old device, where the card information is saved to the server, then set it up again on the new device. It cannot be moved between different Apple IDs. The old device must still have an internet connection; if it cannot communicate or is broken and the Suica cannot be saved to the server, contact Apple Care.

Can I get a refund on Welcome Suica Mobile?

Any balance left in Welcome Suica Mobile is not refunded and expires at the end of the validity period, which is 180 days from the date of issue. A digital Suica issued through the Welcome Suica Mobile app cannot be refunded, and the balance cannot be refunded after the validity period expires; use the balance for transport and shopping within Japan during the period.

What if I lose my phone with Welcome Suica Mobile?

If the iPhone with your Suica is lost or stolen, email the Welcome Suica Mobile Support Center to suspend the Suica, delete it by signing in to iCloud on another device, and reconfigure it on a new device after 5 a.m. the following day, Japan time. Once the support center completes the reissue registration for a damaged or lost device, you cannot use or top up the SF (electronic money) or buy, use or refund Discount Passes until you reset the Suica after 5:00 AM Japan time the next morning; the application cannot be cancelled.

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Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 5, 2026