Ryanair Digital Boarding Passes: App Steps, Screenshot Rules

The day your boarding pass lives only on your phone is here, and Ryanair isn’t giving you a paper backup. From November 12, 2025, the airline stopped issuing printed or PDF boarding passes for nearly all flights, forcing every passenger to display a live digital pass in the Ryanair app. This guide walks through exactly how the new system works, what catches to watch for, and what to do when things go wrong.

100% digital since: November 12, 2025 · Paper passes accepted after Nov 12: No · Required app: Ryanair App (iOS/Android) · Boarding pass delivery: Via app after online check-in · Screenshot accepted: No (must show live in app) · 40-minute rule: Check-in closes 40 min before departure

Here is a quick reference table of the key policy details.

How do I get my digital boarding pass with Ryanair?

Getting your digital boarding pass is straightforward if you follow the sequence exactly — the pass isn’t emailed or mailed, it appears only inside the Ryanair app.

1. Check-in online using the Ryanair website or app – You must check in between 48 hours and 2 hours before departure. Ryanair sends email reminders at 48 and 24 hours to prompt you (Ryanair official site).
2. Download the Ryanair app and log in – The app is the only way to access the digital boarding pass. It’s available for iOS and Android (Ryanair Help Centre).
3. Receive your digital boarding pass in the app after check-in – Once you complete check-in (on the website or in the app), the pass is generated and stored in the app automatically. You don’t need to download anything extra (Ryanair official site).

The catch: If you check in via the website, you still must open the app to retrieve the pass. There’s no PDF or email attachment to fall back on.

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

Since November 12, 2025, printing is not an option for most flights. You must use your phone.

• Ryanair’s policy on printing boarding passes – Printed boarding passes are no longer accepted at security or the gate. The airline has stopped issuing paper copies altogether (The Independent).
• Using your phone as your boarding pass – Display the live digital pass in the Ryanair app. Screenshots are invalid. The pass includes a QR code that gate staff scan (Ryanair Help Centre).
• What if you don’t have a smartphone? – Ryanair ground staff can print a boarding pass at the airport check-in desk, but a fee applies. The exact charge varies by route (The Independent).

The trade-off: The airline saves on paper and printing, but passengers without a smartphone or a charged device pay a penalty — both in time and money.

Can I use a screenshot of my Ryanair boarding pass?

No. Screenshots are explicitly prohibited and will be rejected at the gate.

• Why screenshots are not accepted – Ryanair says live passes prevent fraud and duplication. The QR code is dynamic and linked to the app session (Ryanair official site).
• How the app verifies your pass – The pass refreshes in real time. Staff at security and the gate can tell if it’s a static image (The Independent).
• Consequences of using a screenshot – You may be denied boarding. Airport staff can reprint a pass for a fee, but the risk of missing your flight is real (Ryanair Help Centre).

What is the 40 minute rule for Ryanair?

Ryanair’s check-in deadline is famously tight, and the digital boarding pass system adds another layer of urgency.

• Check-in deadline – Online check-in closes 40 minutes before scheduled departure. After that, you can only check in at the airport for a fee (The Independent).
• Boarding gate closure – Gates typically close 20 minutes before departure. You need to have the digital pass ready before then (Ryanair official site).
• Implications for digital boarding passes – Since the pass is generated only after check-in, late check-in means no digital pass until you reach the airport counter. That adds time and a fee (Ryanair Help Centre).

The pattern: The 40-minute rule existed before the digital switch, but now it also dictates whether you get a pass on your phone or have to queue at the airport desk. Miss the deadline and you lose the convenience of the digital system entirely.

How to send Ryanair boarding pass to another phone?

If you’re travelling with a group or need to transfer a pass to a companion’s device, the app includes a sharing feature.

• Using the Share function in the Ryanair app – After check-in, open the boarding pass in the app and tap the share icon. It generates a secure link that the recipient can open in their own app (Ryanair Help Centre).
• Emailing the boarding pass – The app does not allow emailing the pass directly. Use the share feature to send it via messaging or email as a link (Ryanair official site).
• Transferring boarding passes for multiple passengers – Each passenger needs their own app login and their own pass. The share feature works per passenger — you cannot transfer a pass to another person’s name (Thomas Cook travel blog).

Why this matters: Shared passes can be convenient for families, but the link expires after a short time. The receiving device must also have the Ryanair app installed. No app, no pass.

For other travel logistics, check out our guide on Eurostar London to Paris: Times, Prices & Train Guide and Ennis to Limerick Train: Timetable, Tickets & Prices.

Timeline

• November 12, 2025 – Ryanair switches to 100% digital boarding passes; paper passes no longer accepted for nearly all flights. (Thomas Cook travel blog)

The shift is complete as of that date, eliminating paper backups entirely.

Confirmed facts & what’s unclear

Confirmed

• Digital only from November 12, 2025 (Ryanair official site)
• App required (Ryanair Help Centre)
• Screenshots not accepted (The Independent)

What’s unclear

• How to board without a phone – airport reprint policies are not published uniformly
• Whether airline staff can print a pass for free in all cases
• If the digital pass works offline in all airports

These gaps highlight the risks of relying entirely on digital passes without a fallback guarantee.

“From November 12, 2025, Ryanair will switch to 100% digital boarding passes via its app, eliminating paper passes to reduce costs, improve service.”

Ryanair Help Centre (official policy statement)

“This move provides a faster, smarter, and greener travel experience.”

Dara Brady, Chief Marketing Officer, Ryanair (as reported by The Independent)

For the traveller heading to the airport tomorrow, the choice is clear: charge your phone, install the app, check in early. Without those three steps, your boarding pass — and your seat — may be out of reach.

A complete guide to Ryanairs digital boarding pass rules explains the 40-minute check-in deadline and what to do if your phone battery dies.

Frequently asked questions