Apple Watch and iPhone owners in the U.S. will now be able to carry a copy of their U.S. passport on their devices and use it at TSA checkpoints at more than 250 U.S. airports when traveling domestically.
The feature, known as Digital ID, was previously announced as part of the iOS 26 release and adds passports to the existing list of government IDs supported by Apple Wallet. The company has rolled out this feature in more than a dozen states and Puerto Rico, with plans to expand to more states.
Digital ID in Apple Wallet allows users to create and present an ID even if they don’t have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID. Apple says the ID is not a replacement for a physical passport and is not currently supported for international travel or border crossings.
Users can add a passport to Wallet by tapping the Add (+) button in the Wallet app and selecting Driving License or ID Card. From there, select your digital ID and follow the steps to complete the setup process. This involves using an iPhone to scan the passport photo page and a chip embedded in the back of the passport to confirm its authenticity. Users will also be required to take a selfie for authentication and complete a series of facial and head movements for added security.
Support for ID in Apple Wallet is the final hurdle in replacing your physical wallet with your iPhone, which can now hold payment cards, loyalty cards, tickets, passes, and more.
Presenting your new Apple digital ID directly works just like using Apple Pay. Double-click the side or home button to access your wallet and select your digital ID. An iPhone or Apple Watch must be held near an ID reader, and users authenticate their information using Face ID or Touch ID. Users can also see what identity information is being requested before completing the verification process.
This feature is still in beta as it has not been fully rolled out to all device readers at TSA checkpoints at this time. (TSA’s website provides a list of states that currently support mobile ID, but travelers are still encouraged to carry a physical ID.)
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Apple says users will eventually be able to present their digital ID to businesses and organizations that require age verification, both in-person and online.
This could include event venues and bars that require users to show ID at the entrance to verify if they are of drinking age. Online, even websites that restrict content to adults can use Apple’s API to verify a user’s age. For example, if you want to order alcohol delivery through a service like Uber Eats, we can verify your identity during the ordering process.
In both cases, users can confirm that they are 21 years of age or older without sharing personal information such as name, address, or date of birth.
Apple said it does not know when or where users presented their IDs or what data was shared. Additionally, it works similarly to Apple Pay, so users don’t have to unlock their phone or hand over their phone for ID.
