Overview
Purdue is retiring magnetic stripe, or swipe, technology from Purdue ID cards as part of the university’s move toward more secure contactless and mobile credentials. Magnetic stripe technology is outdated, easier to copy, and does not support modern credential security standards.
The Purdue Mobile ID is the primary credential for most students. Physical cards remain available for approved populations, customers who cannot use Mobile ID, and documented exception cases.
The Purdue Mobile ID is a fully supported university credential and serves as the primary credential for most students. Customers who are able to use Purdue Mobile ID are expected to use it as their primary Purdue credential.
Beginning July 1, 2027, newly issued Purdue ID cards will no longer include a magnetic stripe. Purdue ID cards will continue to support secure contactless tap technology through the encrypted NFC chip, and Purdue Mobile ID will continue to be the primary credential for most students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Purdue retiring magnetic stripe technology?
Purdue is retiring magnetic stripe technology because it is outdated, less secure, and no longer supports Purdue’s long-term credential strategy.
Magnetic stripe cards were commonly used for many years, but the technology does not provide the same security protections as modern contactless credentials. Magnetic stripe data can be copied more easily than encrypted contactless credentials, which creates additional security risk.
Purdue is moving toward credential technology that supports:
- Secure contactless tap access
- Purdue Mobile ID
- Encrypted NFC technology
- Modern access control systems
- Reduced reliance on swipe functionality
- A more consistent campus access experience
This change supports Purdue’s transition to more secure, modern credential technology.
What is changing?
Beginning July 1, 2027, newly issued physical Purdue ID cards will no longer include magnetic stripe technology.
New Purdue ID cards will continue to include an encrypted NFC chip for contactless tap access.
Customers will be able to use supported credentials such as:
- Purdue Mobile ID
- A contactless Purdue ID card with an NFC chip
Will existing Purdue ID cards stop working?
No. Existing Purdue ID cards will not stop working solely because Purdue is retiring magnetic stripe technology from newly issued cards. However, some readers and systems are being updated to support contactless tap access only. At those locations, customers will need to use Purdue Mobile ID or a contactless-enabled Purdue ID card.
Why was swipe access disabled on Transact readers?
Swipe functionality was disabled for security purposes as part of Purdue’s access control modernization work.
Many readers already installed on campus were still functional and capable of supporting contactless tap access. Because those readers were still fine to use, Purdue did not mandate replacing all readers simply because swipe functionality was disabled. Instead, Purdue disabled the less secure swipe functionality and continued using existing readers for contactless access where supported.
Why is contactless tap technology better?
Contactless tap technology uses an encrypted NFC chip instead of a magnetic stripe.
Benefits include:
- Improved security
- Better protection against copied or duplicated credentials
- Faster access at supported readers
- Less wear and tear than swiping a card
- Better support for modern access control systems
- Compatibility with Purdue Mobile ID
- A more consistent long-term credential experience
Is a physical card more reliable than Purdue Mobile ID?
No. Purdue Mobile ID is a fully supported credential and serves as the primary credential for most students. While some customers may prefer carrying a physical card, Purdue does not consider physical ID cards to be inherently more reliable than Mobile ID. Physical cards remain available for approved exceptions, customers who cannot use Mobile ID, and eligible populations that require a physical card.
Why doesn’t Purdue issue physical cards to everyone as a backup?
Purdue’s Mobile First strategy is designed to make Mobile ID the primary credential for most students, not a backup credential. Physical cards remain available for approved exceptions and eligible populations, but Purdue’s direction is to support secure mobile and contactless technology whenever possible.
Can a department require me to obtain a physical Purdue ID card?
Purdue Mobile ID is a supported university credential and serves as the primary credential for most students. Departments may not require customers to obtain a physical Purdue ID card solely because they prefer physical cards or believe Mobile ID is less reliable. Physical cards are intended for approved exceptions and eligible populations.
Do departments need to replace all readers?
Not in most cases. Many existing readers already support contactless tap access. If a reader can support contactless credentials, it may not need to be replaced simply because magnetic stripe technology is being retired. Departments that still rely on magnetic stripe functionality should review their local systems and plan for alternatives before Purdue stops producing magnetic stripe cards.
Who may be impacted?
Departments or systems that still depend on the magnetic stripe on Purdue ID cards may be impacted. Examples may include local or legacy systems that still require swipe functionality. Departments should review their current processes and determine whether they need to move to contactless technology or another approved solution.
Are there exceptions?
Yes. Purdue recognizes that some operational needs may require documented exceptions. For example, Housing and Dining has documented exception cases related to summer conference operations. Exceptions should be reviewed and managed as approved business exceptions. They should not be treated as the standard credential process moving forward.
Who should departments contact with questions?
Departments with questions about magnetic stripe retirement, contactless credentials, or Purdue Mobile ID should contact ID Card Operations at transact@purdue.edu.