Today's Update: Mobile BuckID
June 30, 2026
Dear Student Life team,
As we move into our July orientation sessions and prepare to welcome students for the start of the autumn semester, I want to ask for your partnership in helping communicate an important enhancement to the Buckeye experience—Mobile BuckID.
Over the coming weeks, thousands of new and returning students, faculty, staff and families will have questions about mobile credentialing. Student Life team members are often the first place people turn for information, so I encourage you to share the information below with anyone who asks and help reinforce the benefits of making the transition to Mobile BuckID.
Mobile credentialing offers several important advantages for our campus community:
Greater security. Mobile IDs are encrypted and significantly more secure than our legacy magnetic stripe BuckID cards, providing enhanced protection for both our community members and university facilities.
Added convenience. Simply tap your phone or compatible device at a reader—no need to remove a card from a wallet, purse or badge holder.
Fewer replacement costs. While physical BuckID cards are frequently lost or damaged, phones are much less likely to be. Individuals who choose Mobile BuckID will no longer incur replacement charges for lost or damaged ID cards.
Easier replacement. If a mobile credential ever needs to be reissued, it can be done remotely without visiting the BuckID Office.
A more sustainable solution. Mobile credentials reduce the ongoing production and replacement of thousands of PVC plastic cards each year.
The impact is significant. Last year alone, the university replaced approximately 6,500 physical BuckID cards due to damage or loss, resulting in nearly $170,000 in replacement fees. Mobile credentialing helps eliminate many of those inconveniences and costs while providing a better overall experience.
Here are some of the common questions about this and the answers.
“What happens if my phone battery dies?”
Compatible iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices include a Battery Reserve feature that allows Mobile BuckID to continue working for several hours after the phone powers down due to a low battery. In addition, Housing and Residence Education continues to staff service desks in each residential area 24 hours a day, seven days a week, where residential students can receive a temporary credential if needed—just as they can today if a physical card is lost or misplaced.
“Do I still need a physical BuckID for COTA?”
No. COTA is transitioning away from the physical BuckID card and moving to a digital transit pass within the Ohio State app. Support for physical BuckID cards will end at the close of 2026, and beginning in 2027, riders will use either the Ohio State app or a COTA-issued transit card to participate in the university ridership program.
“Will Mobile BuckID work everywhere on the Columbus campus?”
Yes. Every Columbus campus building that currently accepts BuckID will support Mobile BuckID before the start of the autumn semester. Installation and testing of readers across campus remains on schedule for completion before students arrive.
Additional information, FAQs, and setup instructions are available at buckid.osu.edu/mobile.
If you have questions or would like to discuss a specific use case, please contact Josh Bodnar, Director of BuckID, at bodnar.75@osu.edu.
As we welcome a new class of Buckeyes and prepare for another academic year, consistent messaging across our university will help ensure students, faculty, staff and families understand the benefits of Mobile BuckID and feel confident making the transition.
Together, we’re making the Buckeye experience more secure, more convenient, more sustainable and more Scarlet and Great!
Melissa S. Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University