In 2023, due to a shortage of semiconductors, JR East discontinued sales of the physical Suica card. But the IC card has not disappeared, and is now available digitally.
How does the E-Suica work?How do you install your e-Suica card on your device?
For Android phones : Unfortunately, there are no solutions yet for downloading the Suica or Pasmo card onto your foreign Android phone. The only solution is to have an Android smartphone purchased in Japan.
For iPhone phones: With an iPhone 8 or higher, you can have your Suica or Pasmo card in your Wallet application. To install it, you’ll need to have registered a credit card in the Wallet with Apple Pay.
After opening the Cartes application :
1. Tap on “Transport cards”,
2. Then choose the card you want to add (Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA),
3. After pressing the “Continue” button,
4. you’ll need to select an amount,
5. Press the “Add” button,
6. Confirm the purchase,
7. Your card is added!
If you already have a physical Suica, Pasmo or ICOCA card from a previous trip, follow the same procedure until you’ve chosen the card you want (step 2). Then click on “Transfer an existing card” and follow the instructions. Place your card on your device and wait for the “Card Added” message to appear on your screen. Please note that if you transfer your physical Suica, Pasmo or ICOCA card to your phone, the physical card will no longer work. You can therefore buy another one if you want both a physical card in your wallet and a digital card. They will not be linked.
You can also install it on your Apple Watch.
While it is possible to transfer your physical card to your phone, the reverse is unfortunately not possible.
AloJapan.com