All products
Apple to Introduce Digital ID Feature in Apple Wallet Using Passports
Apple has announced plans to introduce a new feature in Apple Wallet that will allow U.S. users to create a digital ID using their passport. This digital ID can be used at select TSA checkpoints for domestic travel, making it easier for travelers to move through security lines. The feature was previously announced as part of the iOS 26 release and is expected to arrive in a future software update.
Currently, support for government IDs in Apple Wallet has rolled out to 12 states and Puerto Rico, covering roughly a third of U.S. license holders. However, the passport-tied Digital ID feature is a new development that will provide an additional layer of convenience and security for travelers. According to Apple, the digital IDs will not replace traditional U.S. passports but will serve as a complementary form of identification.
Benefits and Urgency of Digital IDs
The introduction of digital IDs is particularly timely given the enforcement of Real ID rules, which began in May. Many state IDs are no longer sufficient for TSA checkpoints, making the need for alternative forms of identification more pressing. With the digital ID feature, travelers can store their passport information securely in Apple Wallet and use it to expedite their passage through TSA checkpoints, alongside existing support for digital boarding passes.
Apple’s Vice President of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, Jennifer Bailey, announced the upcoming launch of passport-associated Digital IDs at the Money 20/20 USA conference. Bailey also shared statistics about Wallet’s adoption, including the fact that Apple Pay is now live in 89 markets worldwide, with over 11,000 banks and networks supporting the service.
Wallet’s Expanding Capabilities
Apple Wallet has evolved beyond its initial purpose as a payment mechanism and ticket holder. The app now supports a range of non-payment features, such as saving car keys, transit passes, hotel keys, and more. According to Bailey, transit options are supported across over 250 regions and 800 cities globally, and more than 2 million hotel room keys have been provisioned, supporting over 65,000 hotel rooms. Additionally, 29 car manufacturers and over 300 models now support Car Key in Wallet.
For more information on Apple’s plans to introduce digital IDs in Apple Wallet, please visit Here
Image Credit: techcrunch.com