• Makes your ID easier to access — right from your phone or watch. It reduces the need to carry a physical card.
• Enhances security through device biometrics (Face ID, Touch ID, fingerprint, etc.).
• Supports faster, contactless access to buildings, dining, and services.

Current students, staff, faculty and special program personnel are eligible as long as they meet all device and software requirements.

Current physical Cougar Card holders may continue to use their physical card. However, if you activate your mobile Cougar Card, your physical and digital card will automatically deactivate. If you wish to switch back to the physical card after your card deactivates, visit the Cougar Card Office. A $20 card replacement fee applies.

Both the physical and mobile Cougar Card are official University of Houston IDs and are accepted at services across campus. However, the mobile Cougar Card provides enhanced security and privacy to allow card users to be worry-free with transactions and building access.

Yes, an approved photo is required for eligibility.

No, you must choose between a physical Cougar Card and the mobile Cougar Card.

Once you switch to the mobile Cougar Card, your physical Cougar Card will be immediately deactivated and can no longer be used at any card readers for security purposes. You may save it as a keepsake or recycle it at the Cougar Card Office.

Any difficulty using your mobile Cougar Card should be reported to cougarcard@uh.edu. Please provide us with the following details: 

• Your name.
• Your PSID.
• The date and time of the attempted transaction.
• What happened.

Your mobile Cougar Card allows you to access essential campus services using your smartphone. You can enter residence halls, academic buildings, labs, dining halls, parking facilities, and so much more! It serves as your primary UH credential, acting as the official identifier for students, staff, faculty, and special program personnel.

The mobile Cougar Card also enables convenient and secure transactions! Simply tap your device to make purchases using your meal plan or ShastaBUCKS. It works on multiple devices, including iPhone, Apple Watch, and Android devices. To use it, just tap your device at campus readers to access buildings and rooms or complete transactions.

iPhone — iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, or later running the latest version of iOS 12 or above.

Apple Watch — Apple Watch Series 1 or later running the latest version of watchOS.

Android — Version 6.0 or later.

Your device must have a built-in and enabled NFC connection. 

The mobile Cougar Card works across campus, including building access. For residence halls, access to your room can vary depending on where you live, as some residence halls require a physical key or separate key card for room entry.

Apple users 

1. Download and open the UH Go app.  
2. Click on the button that says “Click here to learn more about mobile Cougar Card.”  
3. Read the screens and follow the instructions to add the mobile Cougar Card to your iPhone and/or Apple Watch. 

Android users 

1. Download and open the UH Go app.  
2. Click on the button that says “Click here to learn more about mobile Cougar Card.”  
3. Read the screens and follow the instructions to download the Atrium Campus Connect app.  

Users will need to keep this app on their device in order to access the mobile Cougar Card. 

Issues activating your mobile Cougar Card? Email cougarcard@uh.edu for assistance. 

You can use your mobile Cougar Card to enter your external residence hall building door, but access to your actual room varies by location. Cougar Place and Cougar Village 2 require a separate key card to enter residence hall rooms. Cougar Village 1, Moody Towers, University Lofts, and Bayou Oaks use physical keys for residence hall rooms. Residents of The Quads can use the mobile Cougar Card to access their residence hall and rooms. 

iPhones XS and later — Express Mode with power reserve is available for up to five hours after the device’s battery needs to be charged. You can press the side button to check if Express Mode is available when your iPhone needs to be charged. Doing this often may significantly reduce the power reserve for Express Mode. If you choose to power off your iPhone, this feature will not be available.

Android, iPhone 6/6 Plus to iPhone X — Your device must have battery power to use the mobile Cougar Card.

You should first remove your mobile Cougar Card from your old device in the Apple Wallet app. Once it is removed, you can add a mobile Cougar Card to the new device by following the steps in the UH Go app. 

Your mobile Cougar Card can be used even if your phone does not have network connectivity, as it is stored on your device. However, a network connection is required to initially activate the mobile Cougar Card. 

Yes, you will simply tap the reader with your phone instead of your physical card. Make sure the cashier knows you want to make a ShastaBUCKS transaction.

If you cannot find the Atrium Campus Connect app in the app store on your phone, reset the region to the United States. Please note that changing the region may impact other functionality on your phone. Please read the details before proceeding with caution:

• Android — How to change your Google Play country.

iPhone and Apple Watch 

Your UHID is located on the back of your Cougar Card within your device’s Wallet. 

1. Open the Wallet app. 
2. Tap your Cougar Card to view the full card. 
3. Select the “i” (info) icon in the top-right corner. 
4. Your UHID will appear, listed with your full name below the call, email, and website icons. 

You can also see your account balances listed on the back of your Cougar Card.

The back of your mobile Cougar Card has important resource information like the number for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the number for CAPS Crisis Support. 

iPhone and Apple Watch 

These resources are located on the back of your Cougar Card within your device’s Wallet. 

1. Open the Wallet app. 
2. Tap your Cougar Card to view the full card. 
3. Select the “i” (info) icon in the top-right corner. 
4.  You'll see the contact numbers listed after your account balances. 

Apple users: Use the Find My feature to remove the device. After replacing your device, follow the steps in the UH Go app to activate a new mobile Cougar Card.

Android users: Contact the Cougar Card Office to have your mobile Cougar Card revoked. After replacing your device, follow the steps in the UH Go app to activate a new mobile Cougar Card.