Do I need to print my boarding pass or can I use my phone Southwest

No, you do not need to print your boarding pass for a Southwest Airlines flight in most situations—you can use your phone instead〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Southwest fully supports **mobile boarding passes**, which are available once you check in through the Southwest website or mobile app〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Check-in for Southwest flights opens **24 hours before departure**, and after completing the process, you can access your digital boarding pass directly on your phone〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** This mobile pass contains all the same essential information as a printed one, including your name, flight number, boarding position, departure time, and a scannable barcode〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** You can show this boarding pass on your phone screen at both the **TSA security checkpoint** and the **boarding gate**, where it will be scanned just like a paper pass〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815**

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Mobile boarding passes are especially well-suited to Southwest’s unique boarding process〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Unlike many airlines that assign seats, Southwest uses an open seating policy, and passengers are assigned a **boarding group and position** (such as A25 or B14) during check-in〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** This boarding position is clearly displayed on your mobile boarding pass, making it easy to reference when lining up to board〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Because boarding order matters on Southwest, having quick access to your boarding position on your phone can make the process smoother and less stressful〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Many travelers find it easier to glance at their phone than to keep track of a small paper slip〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815**

Southwest also allows you to save your boarding pass to a digital wallet such as **Apple Wallet or Google Wallet**, which can be especially helpful if you want offline access〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Once saved, you can pull up your boarding pass even if you have limited cell service or don’t want to open the Southwest app〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** This feature adds an extra layer of reliability and makes mobile boarding passes even more practical for frequent travelers〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Some passengers also choose to take a screenshot of their boarding pass as a simple backup in case of technical issues with the app〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815**

Despite the widespread acceptance of mobile boarding passes, there are still situations where a printed boarding pass may be useful〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** For example, if your phone battery dies, your screen is damaged, or your device malfunctions, you may temporarily lose access to your digital boarding pass〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** To avoid this, it’s a good idea to fully charge your phone before heading to the airport and consider carrying a portable charger, especially for longer travel days〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Increasing screen brightness can also help scanners read the barcode more easily at security and the gate〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815**

Southwest understands that not all travelers are comfortable relying solely on a smartphone, which is why printed boarding passes remain an option〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** If you prefer a paper boarding pass, you can print one at the airport using a **self-service kiosk** or request assistance from a Southwest agent at the ticket counter〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** This flexibility is helpful for travelers who want a physical backup, those traveling with older phones, or anyone who simply prefers paper documents〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Having a printed boarding pass can also be useful for expense reporting, travel documentation, or personal recordkeeping〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815**

For security screening, mobile boarding passes are generally accepted by the **Transportation Security Administration (TSA)** at U〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815**S〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** airports〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** At most checkpoints, you simply scan the barcode on your phone or present your identification while your boarding information is verified electronically〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** While procedures can vary slightly by airport, mobile boarding passes are now a standard part of the security process〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** For travelers with TSA PreCheck, using a mobile boarding pass is just as effective as using a printed one and does not affect eligibility or screening procedures〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815**

It’s also worth noting that if you encounter any issues with your mobile boarding pass—such as the app not loading or a barcode not scanning—Southwest staff at the airport can quickly assist you〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** Agents can reprint your boarding pass or help troubleshoot the issue, ensuring that a technical problem does not prevent you from boarding your flight〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815** This added support makes using a mobile boarding pass a low-risk option for most travelers〔+1〉- 855- 510- 5815**