Hello Grichauthu64
The Swiss Half Fare Card works like an e-ticket for a single journey. Simply present your Swiss Half Fare Card as a PDF document, or as a printed document to the ticket inspector, together with your physical passport or national ID card (no copies, no photos on smartphones).
No, the Swiss Half Fare Card is not a plastic card, do not be confused by the two products, the Swiss Half Fare Card for tourists, and the Half Fare Card for residents; only the latter comes as plastic card.
If you have purchased the Swiss Half Fare Card from SBB with a customer account, you could use the same credentials for the SBB Mobile App login. The card would then be displayed on your phone as e-ticket. When you purchase tickets, make sure the Half Fare discount is activated; check the personal details next to your name before purchasing. See screenshots below.
When you somewhere read, valid with the Half Fare Card, it also includes the Swiss Half Fare Card as both cards offer exactly the same benefits, simply for the respective customer groups.
Let us know if you have got more questions.
Kind regards,
Roland