Over time, we’ve increasingly seen Apple roll out the concept of Digital ID, whereby you can create an ID in your Apple Wallet. Up until now, that was limited to driver’s licenses from a limited number of states, but this has now been expanded in a significant way.
Continue reading: Apple Adds Digital ID For Passports, Use For TSA Checkpoint Verification
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
i have a few cards added to my digital wallet, but for the most part i cycle through cards for SUBs too often for it to really be practical to add each one
This seems like another stopgap until the full roll out of full facial recognition. The technology exists for ID checks for security, boarding, and even immigration. Even if people don't like it, it's 100% inevitable, and once it's here, things will be much easier.
Not nearly enough of an incentive to use Apple products IMHO. Any company that forbids me to delete my photos (taken with my cam) from my phone is not for me.
This product has already existed for Android for a few years, so it's really not an incentive to use Apple products at all.
The major carriers (AS/AA/DL/WN/UA) already offer this at some airports for PreCheck passengers ("TSA PreCheck Touchless ID"), and I don't see any technical limitation for why they couldn't roll it out more broadly already to any passenger who has a US passport.
(As part of the enrolment for Touchless ID, you supply your passport number, and it's that photo that is used for the process. Non-US enrolees are also eligible if they are PreCheck members, but I doubt TSA would yet be able to pull the biometrics from US VISIT for foreign non-PreCheck enrolees.)
Years ago I had my wallet and ID stolen on trip. Going through TSA without any ID is such a pain, this would have come in handy. Although much more likely to have phone stolen these days anyways…
No, that is for DL. You have to select Digital ID. The states that allow adding digital DL are below that.
I like having everything on my phone and wish my state allowed me to have my digital DL. Yes, I always carry physical cards, passport, etc... but it is just convenient to have all in your phone. I drive a car that has digital key so although I carry my key and my wallet in some pocket with me all I need most of the time is my phone to drive my car and pay for errands around town.
Will this Apple feature allow more than one passport? Many people on this site have two, a few even more.
Right now it only supports one, and only US passports at that. Yes, it’s technically possible to have multiple US passports but it’s probably a very small number of people that qualify.
Have to update to iOS 26.1 and the photos it asks you to take are a little wonky. It may take a few tries for it to happen but it ended up working for me.
Terminal 5 at JFK has big signs saying that you can use mobile ID on your phone. When I tried to do so, I was yelled at by the TSA agent saying only physical IDs are accepted. When I pointed to the sign about mobile IDs, the TSA agent literally started threatening me.
So great ideas is one thing, but execution (and arrogant, ignorant TSA agents) is another one.
Also, this thing only covers half (?) of US airports at the moment?
I was very excited to see the digital driver's license and now this ID/passport card for Apple's wallet. But they've turned out to be of very limited use thus far. Perhaps down the road, this will be more useful. But glad to see Apple has made the switch to just scanning the chip on cards and IDs to add/validate.
It feels like this would actually slow things down at the checkpoint if you need to juggle between your Digital ID and your boarding pass in different places on the phone (although, in theory, you should be able to put both in the wallet.)
I've first use the digital passport when I was travelling abroad (domestic connection) January of 2025 at IAD (Google wallet). The TSA agent didn't even knew about it. As I was about to tap my phone, she started telling me that machine wasn't working yet. But I guess the machine accepted it and prompted her to take my photo. She was puzzled for a second and said, 'wow, that's cool".
Generally I have my phone, my ID/passport and boarding pass on my hands. With this process, I only have the phone and boarding pass on my hands, so its a plus for me.
@Timtamtrak, you are correct that there are people who have two passports. And it's a pretty significant number of people. Members of the military and civilian federal employees who travel internationally must travel on an Official passport (different than a "blue" US passport). Some senior government officials and foreign service employees get diplomatic passports. So, I spent years with two valid US passports.
This was basically the same reaction that I received at LIT in July. I think the Apple adoption is going to be more widespread than Google.
This is the big advantage no one seems to be focusing on -- having a backup ID in case you misplace yours.
Yes, they reserve the right to ask for physical ID, but much better chance you'd be able to avoid the (illegal) TSA ID-less procedures.
Ok, now we all want to know: what are you talking about? Yeah, there was an embarrassing (rare) bug where supposedly deleted photos could resurface, but that’s been fixed, and it’s a far cry from “forbid.” I mean, I don’t care whether you use Apple products, but that’s not a real reason.
Good luck if you lost it or if battery runs out. Those who put all their eggs in the basket of technology are bound for failure.
Digital ID should be illegal. Huge privacy and security risk. Apple, Google, Microsoft, etc definitely should never have access to that data. And if you still need to carry your driver's license or passport anyway, what's the point? This will just open the door to websites, apps, and other online services requiring access to the digital ID information. It's a big loss for freedom and human rights. Not the kind of world we need.
That's wrong information. Military do not need to be issued official passports to travel internationally. They typically don't even need a blue passport, and can just travel with military ID and orders for official travel. However, a blue passport is still recommended.
Google Wallet has had this for a long time. The news here is that Apple devices are now finally also getting this feature. It's not a reason to switch; just a new convenience feature for iPhone users.