Your Passport, Now In Your Phone: How Digital IDs Are Changing Airport Travel
Apple’s new Digital ID feature joins Google Wallet’s passport tools, letting US travelers use their phones at TSA checkpoints and marking a major moment in the evolution of travel tech. For the first time, iPhone users can scan their US passport and create a secure ID inside Apple Wallet, then present it at more than 250 airports across the country. Here is how it works, what it cannot do, and why this shift toward digital identification could change the way you move through airports.
What Digital ID Actually Does
Digital ID is not a full digital passport. Instead, it creates a secure identity credential derived from your physical US passport and stores it locally on your device. It is accepted at designated TSA checkpoints for domestic travel and gives travelers a contactless, secure way to verify identity without digging for a wallet.
But it is important to be clear:
It cannot be used for international travel or border crossings.
You still need to carry your physical passport.
Think of it as a streamlined digital companion to your real passport, not a replacement.
Setting It Up
Adding a Digital ID is fast and straightforward. You open Apple Wallet, choose “Digital ID,” and follow a guided process that includes:
Scanning your passport’s photo page
Reading the embedded chip with your iPhone
Taking a selfie
Completing a short series of head and facial movements
Once approved, your Digital ID appears in Apple Wallet next to your boarding passes, payment cards, and transit passes. Google Wallet uses a nearly identical setup flow, allowing Android users to store a passport-based ID as well.
Using Digital ID at TSA
Presenting a Digital ID works much like using Apple Pay. You double-click the side button, choose Digital ID, hold your phone or watch near the TSA identity reader, and review the information being requested. Face ID or Touch ID confirms your identity, and you keep your device in your own hands at all times.
TSA then matches your digital credential to your real identity with a quick facial scan. The entire process is touchless, fast, and increasingly intuitive for travelers who already rely on digital boarding passes.
What About Security?
Apple stresses that Digital ID uses the same privacy safeguards that protect Apple Pay:
Your passport data is encrypted and stored only on your device
Apple cannot see when or where you use your ID
Only the information you approve is shared, and only after biometric verification
Google Wallet operates under similar security principles. Still, privacy experts note that as digital identification expands, ongoing conversations about data protection and access will become more important.
Why You Might Want to Use It
Digital ID is especially helpful for travelers who want a smoother, quicker TSA experience. It works well if you fly domestically, prefer keeping your ID, boarding pass, and payment cards in one place, or do not have a REAL ID compliant driver’s license. It also reduces the chance of misplacing your physical passport while moving through security, since your phone becomes the primary identity tool at the checkpoint.
It is also part of a larger shift toward mobile identification. Many states now support mobile driver’s licenses, which can be added to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet and used at designated TSA checkpoints. States that currently support mobile licenses include Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico. Travelers living in these states can store both a mobile driver’s license and a passport-based Digital ID on their phone, making identity verification even more seamless.
One helpful distinction: passport-based Digital ID is accepted on a federal level, not a state level. That means any traveler, from any state, can use it at TSA checkpoints that support digital identification. If an airport’s checkpoint has the digital ID scanners, your passport-derived Digital ID will work there, regardless of where you live or which state issued your driver’s license.
Together, these tools make Digital ID increasingly practical for everyday travelers, and adopting it now can help you stay ahead as more airports and agencies move toward digital identity systems.
Why You Might Skip It for Now
Digital ID is still new, and not every TSA agent or airport has fully adopted it. If you travel internationally, or if you prefer physical documents, digital ID may not feel essential yet. Some users may also encounter inconsistent implementation while the system expands.
What Comes Next
Apple’s Digital ID is a major step toward a future where your phone becomes your most reliable travel tool. Google Wallet laid the groundwork, and Apple’s adoption signals a shift toward wider acceptance and everyday use.
It will not replace your passport, but it can make domestic airport screening faster, simpler, and more secure. As more airports and states adopt digital identification, the experience is likely to become even more seamless.
FAQ: Digital ID, Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Digital Passports
Can I use Apple’s Digital ID for international travel?
No. Digital ID cannot be used for international flights, border crossings, or customs. You still need your physical passport.
Is Apple’s Digital ID the same as a digital passport?
No. It is a passport-based identity credential, not a full passport replacement. It verifies identity only for designated domestic TSA checkpoints.
Do I still need to carry my physical passport?
Yes. TSA may request physical ID if there is an issue with the digital scan. Physical passports are also required for any travel outside the United States.
Where is Apple Digital ID accepted?
It is rolling out at more than 250 TSA checkpoints across the United States. Acceptance may vary by airport, checkpoint, and agent training level.
Is Google Wallet’s digital passport feature the same as Apple’s?
Google Wallet introduced a similar passport-based ID feature in late 2024. Both systems use scanning, chip reading, and facial verification to create a secure digital ID for domestic travel.
Is it safe to store my passport in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet?
Yes. Passport data is encrypted and stored locally on the device. Neither Apple nor Google can see when or where you use it. Only the minimum required information is shared when you present your digital ID.
Can I use Digital ID for bars, hotels, or age verification?
Not yet. Apple and Google both plan to expand digital identification to businesses, apps, and online age verification in the future.
What if TSA does not recognize my digital ID?
You can always present your physical passport or REAL ID. Digital ID is optional and designed as a convenience, not a requirement.
Does Digital ID fulfill REAL ID requirements for domestic flights?
Yes. Passport-based Digital ID fulfills REAL ID identification requirements at participating TSA checkpoints.
Do I need a special version of iOS or Android?
Apple Digital ID requires iOS 26.1 or later. Google Wallet’s passport feature requires the most recent Android updates and Google Play Services.
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