My Number Card on iPhone Japan (2026): Setup & Fixes

Most “best apps in Japan” lists skip the biggest time-saver: using your My Number Card on iPhone Japan for government procedures, conbini certificate printing, and (in supported clinics/pharmacies) health insurance check-in.

In 2025–2026, the big story is that Japan’s Digital Agency launched My Number Card on iPhones on June 24, 2025, and Japan’s health insurance system completed a major shift where all health insurance cards expired on December 1, 2025 and use changes from December 2, 2025.

This guide focuses on the exact setup steps (Apple Wallet + Mynaportal), what you can do right now in 2026, and where to get human help when the app is Japanese-only or your electronic certificate expires.

What the My Number Card on iPhone Japan update changes for residents (2025–2026)

The Digital Agency’s “Smartphone My Number Card” program lets you add My Number Card functions to smartphones, including iPhones (Apple Wallet) and Android devices (electronic certificates). The official rollout for iPhone started on June 24, 2025, and supported services are expanding over time.

As of early 2026, the Digital Agency lists key use cases for Smartphone My Number Card as: Mynaportal, convenience-store certificate issuance, health insurance use at supported medical institutions/pharmacies, and e-Tax. It also notes that you should still bring your physical card in case a place only supports the plastic card. For the official overview, see the Digital Agency’s Smartphone My Number Card page.

One more forward-looking note: the same Digital Agency page mentions the Android side will be “renovated” around autumn 2026. If you’re an Android user today, that’s why some instructions you see online may change later in 2026.

Be careful with local exceptions and earlier expirations. For example, Sendai City publicly told residents that National Health Insurance cards can be used until September 30, 2025 and Advanced-age Medical System cards until July 31, 2025. If you’re outside Tokyo, always confirm your insurer/municipality’s dates and notices. (Sendai reference: City of Sendai newsletter.)

Step-by-step: Add your My Number Card to Apple Wallet using Mynaportal

Adding your My Number Card on iPhone Japan happens inside the Mynaportal app, and finishes by saving the ID into Apple Wallet. Expect a short but strict identity check flow: NFC scan of your physical card, password entry, and selfie/liveness verification.

1) Confirm your device and account requirements

Apple states you need: an iPhone running iOS 18.5 or later, Face ID or Touch ID enabled, an Apple Account with two-factor authentication, and the latest Mynaportal app. Apple’s setup overview is here: Use your My Number Card in Apple Wallet.

The Digital Agency also lists (for Smartphone My Number Card setup) your physical card, the 4-digit “Supplementary Security Code for Entry of Matters on Certificate”, and your 6–16 character signing password. See: Smartphone My Number Card.

2) Update the Mynaportal app and prepare your PINs/passwords

Open the App Store, update the Mynaportal app, and make sure you know your passwords before you start. If you enter your PIN/password wrong too many times, your physical card can be blocked and you’ll need an unlock/reset procedure. Apple warns about this blocking behavior in its security documentation: IDs in Apple Wallet (Security Guide).

3) Start the “Add to Apple Wallet” flow in Mynaportal

1. Open the latest Mynaportal app on your iPhone.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions and accept the terms.
3. When prompted, scan/read your physical My Number Card using your iPhone (NFC).
4. Enter the required credentials: a 4-digit PIN and an alphanumeric password (Apple describes this as the credentials tied to your physical card).
5. Complete the selfie + liveness check.
6. Tap “Add to Apple Wallet” and authenticate with Face ID/Touch ID.

These steps match Apple’s official guidance: Use your My Number Card in Apple Wallet. Apple also notes that the issuing authority validates your submission and that the Wallet ID is uniquely linked to your device.

4) (Optional but smart) Learn how to present it at a reader

Apple’s “present” flow is simple: double-click the side button (Face ID) or Home button (Touch ID), select your My Number Card, then hold the top of the iPhone near the reader. Apple documents this for convenience stores and other in-person scenarios here: Present your My Number Card.

What you can do with it: conbini certificates, Mynaportal tasks, and health insurance

Once your My Number Card on iPhone Japan is active, the biggest “便利” wins are: printing official certificates at conbini multi-copy machines, logging into Mynaportal for online government procedures, and (where supported) using your iPhone at medical institutions/pharmacies for insurance eligibility confirmation.

1) Convenience store certificate printing (コンビニ交付)

Many municipalities let you print certificates at convenience store multi-function copiers (multi-copy machines). Availability, certificates offered, fees, and operating hours vary by municipality—so always check your city/ward’s page first.

Example (Tokushima City): Tokushima lists service hours as 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (closed Dec 29 to Jan 3) and a fee of ¥350 per certificate, with inquiries handled by the Resident Registration Division at 088-621-5140. See: Tokushima City: Certificate Issuance Service at Convenience Stores.

Example (Minato City, Tokyo): Minato lists typical conbini hours 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and shows that fees can be cheaper than the counter. See: Minato City: Issuance at Convenience Stores.

Municipal fees and what you can print differ by city/ward. Treat blog posts (including this one) as a starting point, then confirm on your municipality’s official site.

2) Mynaportal tasks you can do faster

The Digital Agency positions Smartphone My Number Card as a shortcut for online procedures via Mynaportal and compatible services. On the official overview page, the agency lists support for Mynaportal login and tasks like e-Tax filing as key examples. See: Smartphone My Number Card.

For health insurance specifically, the Digital Agency’s FAQ explains you can check your registration status and register (or confirm) via Mynaportal, and it also mentions that registration can be done at some locations like Seven Bank ATMs. See: FAQ: Using the My Number Card as the Health Insurance Certificate.

3) Using it for health insurance at clinics and pharmacies (where supported)

From December 2, 2025, Japan’s default expectation is that you use a My Number Card registered as a health insurance card (or a certificate of eligibility). The Digital Agency states you may use an iPhone equipped with a My Number Card at medical institutions and pharmacies where the equipment is ready, and you should confirm support before visiting. Official page: Use of health insurance card in My Number Card.

The same page describes an iPhone flow at reception: on the face-recognition card reader screen choose “Use a smartphone” and select “iPhone”, then open Apple Wallet (or lock screen), authenticate, and hold your iPhone over the reader when prompted. (Source: Digital Agency instructions.)

Troubleshooting & where to get help (expired e-certificates, PINs, city hall, support centers)

If your setup fails, it’s usually one of four issues: (1) device/app requirements, (2) card-reading/NFC problems, (3) PIN/password lockouts, or (4) electronic certificates that have expired. Below are the fastest fixes—and the best places to get human support in English or other languages.

Problem A: “It won’t add to Apple Wallet” (requirements mismatch)

Re-check the requirements: Apple requires iOS 18.5+ and the latest Mynaportal app, with Face ID/Touch ID and Apple Account 2FA enabled. Apple’s checklist is here: Use your My Number Card in Apple Wallet.

Also confirm your model: the Digital Agency’s Smartphone My Number Card page states iPhones must be iPhone XS or later with iOS 18.5 or higher (minimum). See: Smartphone My Number Card (FAQ Q1).

Problem B: “My iPhone can’t read the physical card” (NFC reading)

Try removing thick cases, repositioning the iPhone so the top edge touches the card, and keeping still until the app completes reading. If it works on one iPhone but not another, the issue may be device positioning or NFC sensitivity rather than your card itself.

If reading works but credential checks fail, stop and avoid repeated attempts. Apple notes that too many incorrect PIN/password attempts can block the physical card until it’s unlocked. Reference: Apple Security Guide (IDs in Apple Wallet).

Problem C: PIN/password locked or forgotten

The Digital Agency’s Smartphone My Number Card FAQ says if you don’t know the PIN/password needed to add the card to your smartphone, you generally need to reset them at the municipal counter where your resident record is. See: Smartphone My Number Card (FAQ Q3).

There is also a practical workaround for some PIN resets: several municipalities explain you can use the JPKI PIN Reset App and a convenience-store multi-copy machine to initialize/reset certain PINs. For one English explanation (Tokyo area), see Inagi City’s page: Inagi City: PIN reset options.

J-LIS (Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems) also provides official details on resetting/re-setting My Number Card passwords at conbini kiosks, including typical kiosk availability hours of 6:30–23:00 and guidance to contact the My Number call center if you’re stuck. See: J-LIS: ID reset (コンビニ等で初期化・再設定).

Problem D: “My Number electronic certificate renewal” (5-year expiry)

This is the #1 hidden trap. The Digital Agency clearly explains that the My Number Card itself and the electronic certificates on the IC chip have different expiration dates. The electronic certificate generally expires 5 years after issuance and must be renewed. Official reference: My Number Card and electronic certification validity and renewals.

The same Digital Agency page states electronic certificate renewal can be done from 3 months before expiration, is free, and must be completed in person at the municipal office counter (it cannot be renewed online, because identity verification must be in person). See: Digital Agency: expiration and renewal FAQ.

If your electronic certificate expires, the Digital Agency warns you may not be able to use online identity verification (including Mynaportal), and it can affect health insurance usage. The same page notes a limited continued usability period for health insurance after expiry under specific conditions, so don’t delay—renew promptly. Source: Digital Agency: what happens after expiration.

Problem E: Known service outages or “stuck” provisional cards

Sometimes the issue is not you. The Digital Agency has published outage notices for iPhone My Number Card services, including guidance that some users may need to delete a provisionally issued Wallet entry and retry the application after a system failure. Example notice: System Failures at iPhone My Number Card (Digital Agency).

Where to get help (official call centers + multilingual counters)

If you need help in English (or other languages), start with the national hotline because it can route you to the right domain (Mynaportal, Smartphone My Number Card, health insurance, etc.). The Digital Agency lists the My Number toll-free number 0120-95-0178, including menu options for Mynaportal/Smartphone My Number Card and health insurance card use. Official contact page: Inquiries about My Number System.

• My Number toll-free: 0120-95-0178 (hours vary by menu; loss/theft suspension is 24/7 per Digital Agency guidance).
• Multilingual (My Number System / Mynaportal): 0120-0178-26 (languages include English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, Tagalog, Nepali; hours listed by the Digital Agency).
• Multilingual (loss/theft suspension support): 0120-0178-27 (language hours vary; suspension is 24 hours).

For loss/theft of a My Number Card (or a smartphone equipped with My Number functions), the Digital Agency also highlights immediate suspension by phone via 0120-95-0178 (voice guidance menu). See: My Number Card security.

City-hall help you can actually use (Tokyo example)

Some wards set up hands-on help specifically for My Number Card-related procedures. In Minato City (Tokyo), the ward reports installing multi-copy machines at regional offices with guidance, and it operates a “Support Corner” that helps with forms, taking ID photos, and health insurance registration. Minato’s article includes phone contacts: 03-3578-3152 (machine guidance) and 03-3578-3139 (My Number Card). See: Minato City: automatic certificate issuing machines + Support Corner.

National-level in-person support in Tokyo: FRAC + FRESC

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Foreign Residents’ Advisory Center (FRAC): For broad daily-life/admin guidance by phone in Tokyo, FRAC provides free consultations. The official page lists English support Monday–Friday (9:30–12:00, 13:00–17:00) at 03-5320-7744. See: TMG: Foreign Residents’ Advisory Center.

Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC): If your issue overlaps with status of residence, labor, legal/human rights, or you need coordinated help, FRESC is a one-stop hub with multiple service counters. For a clear overview, see Shinjuku City’s introduction: Shinjuku City: FRESC overview. For some government services routed through FRESC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also lists the location as Yotsuya Tower 13F, 1-6-1 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku and provides a Visa Information Navi-dial: MOFA: FRESC contact info.

Outside Tokyo: Osaka International House + OFIX (Osaka Prefecture)

Osaka International House “Information Counter for Foreign Residents” is a practical first stop if you’re in Kansai and stuck on municipal procedures. Osaka City lists it with TEL 06-6773-6533 and daily availability (except year-end/New Year). See: Osaka City: multilingual consultation services (includes Osaka International House).

OFIX (Osaka Foundation of International Exchange) also runs the Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents with multilingual consultations on residence status, work, health care, welfare, education, and daily life. It lists supported languages and hours, including occasional evening and Sunday consultations. See: OFIX: Osaka Information Service for Foreign Residents.

Need More Help? Ask on LO-PAL

If you want to know more about My Number Card on iPhone Japan or you need specific local information (your ward’s certificate fees, where the support desk is, what to bring to city hall, or help reading Japanese-only Mynaportal screens), ask a local Japanese person on LO-PAL.

LO-PAL is our matching service where foreign residents and tourists in Japan connect with local Japanese helpers for life questions and task support. You can post a question (Q&A style) or request help for a task (like going to a government office together, interpreting forms, or checking what your municipality supports), and helpers in your area respond.

We support multiple languages (English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Korean, Nepali, Tagalog, Indonesian, Spanish), so you can get help even when official apps and procedures are mostly in Japanese.