Coming soon to U.S. iPhones, Apple Wallet will let users create digital IDs tied to their passports — a move aimed at streamlining airport security.
A New Chapter in Digital Identity
Apple is preparing to roll out a long-anticipated feature: digital IDs based on U.S. passports in the Apple Wallet app.
- Announced at the Money 20/20 USA conference by Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s VP of Apple Pay and Wallet.
- The update follows Apple’s continued expansion of Wallet from a payments app to a full-fledged digital identity platform.
- The passport-linked ID will allow U.S. travelers to use Wallet at select TSA checkpoints for domestic travel.
While this feature won’t replace your passport, it could serve as a quicker, TSA-accepted ID alongside boarding passes already supported in Wallet.
Why It Matters: Real ID Enforcement
The urgency around digital IDs has grown with the enforcement of Real ID regulations, which began in May.
- Many state-issued IDs no longer qualify for TSA clearance unless they meet Real ID standards.
- Apple’s passport-based digital ID offers an alternative form of TSA-acceptable identification — helping travelers avoid delays.
This feature was originally teased with iOS 26 but delayed for a later update, now said to be coming “soon.”
Where Wallet’s Digital IDs Stand Today
So far, Apple Wallet supports government-issued IDs in 12 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, covering about one-third of U.S. license holders.
- States like Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, and Colorado were among the first to adopt the feature.
- Digital IDs are currently accepted only at select TSA checkpoints, not for international travel or general ID verification.
The passport tie-in represents Apple’s first federal-level ID integration, a potential milestone in digital identity adoption.
Apple Wallet: Beyond Payments
Bailey also highlighted Wallet’s rapid growth and diversification into everyday digital conveniences:
- Apple Pay is live in 89 global markets, supported by 11,000+ banks and networks (including 15 in the U.S.).
- 90% of U.S. retailers now support Apple Pay, up from just 3% at launch.
- Non-payment features include digital versions of:
- Car keys (supported by 29 manufacturers across 300+ models)
- Transit passes (in 250+ regions and 800 cities)
- Hotel keys (over 2 million keys provisioned across 65,000+ rooms)
Wallet is increasingly becoming a secure central hub for everything from commuting to checking into a hotel — and soon, moving through airport security.
Apple will soon allow U.S. users to create passport-linked digital IDs in Wallet, enabling faster TSA check-ins. The move follows Real ID enforcement and expands Apple Wallet’s role as a central identity tool, beyond payments, transit, and hotel access.
