With Digital ID, Apple Watch and iPhone users can carry their U.S. passport digitally and use it at TSA checkpoints in over 250 airports
Passport now joins Apple Wallet
Apple has launched Digital ID, allowing U.S. iPhone and Apple Watch users to store and present a digital version of their passport at TSA checkpoints in more than 250 airports nationwide.
- This builds on Apple Wallet’s ability to store driver’s licenses and state IDs.
- The passport feature is currently limited to domestic travel and cannot yet be used for international flights or border crossings.
With this move, Apple takes another major step toward making the iPhone a full replacement for physical wallets.
Easy setup, secure storage
To add a passport to Apple Wallet, users can:
- Tap the “+” icon in Wallet.
- Choose “Driver’s License or ID Cards”, then select Digital ID.
- Scan the photo page and the chip embedded in the passport.
- Take a selfie and perform a short facial movement sequence to confirm identity.
Apple emphasizes security and privacy, using Face ID or Touch ID for every verification and making sure users never hand over their phone.
Just like Apple Pay—simple and private
Presenting a Digital ID works similarly to using Apple Pay:
- Double-click the side or Home button to open Wallet.
- Hold the iPhone or Apple Watch near an identity reader.
- Approve the ID transfer using biometric authentication.
Users will see a preview of what information is being requested before approval—giving them control over their data.
Digital ID is still in beta
Though the feature is live in a dozen states and Puerto Rico, Apple notes that the TSA’s device rollout is still ongoing. Travelers are encouraged to carry physical IDs as a backup for now.
A list of participating states and supported TSA checkpoints is maintained on the TSA website.
More than travel: age verification and online use
Apple plans to expand Digital ID usage beyond airports:
- At bars, clubs, and event venues for age checks
- In apps and websites that require age verification, such as alcohol delivery or adult content services
Importantly, users can prove they’re over 21 without disclosing full personal details like name or address, improving both convenience and privacy.
Privacy by design
Apple states that it doesn’t track when or where users present their ID, or what data was shared.
- Users don’t unlock their phones or hand them to others during ID presentation.
- Everything is managed locally and securely, mirroring Apple Pay’s model.
This positions Apple’s Digital ID as both user-friendly and privacy-conscious, addressing one of the key concerns in digital identification.
