People in the United States with an iPhone or Apple Watch can now carry a digital copy of their U.S. passport on their device. This digital passport can be used at TSA checkpoints in over 250 airports for domestic travel. This feature is called Digital ID and was introduced as part of the iOS 26 update. It adds passports to the list of government identifications already supported in Apple Wallet. The feature is currently available to residents of a dozen states and Puerto Rico, with plans to expand to more areas.
Using Digital ID in Apple Wallet, individuals can create and present an identification even without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID. It is important to note that this digital ID does not replace a physical passport. It is not supported for international travel or for crossing borders at this time.
To add a passport to the Wallet app, users can tap the Add button, which looks like a plus sign. Then they should select Driver’s License or ID Cards, choose Digital ID, and follow the on-screen instructions. The process involves using the iPhone to scan the photo page of the passport and scanning the embedded chip on the back to confirm the document’s authenticity. Users will also take a selfie for verification and perform a series of facial and head movements for added security.
The ability to store IDs in Apple Wallet is a significant step toward making the iPhone a complete replacement for a physical wallet, as it can already hold payment cards, loyalty cards, tickets, and other passes.
Presenting the Digital ID works similarly to using Apple Pay. You can double-click the side button or Home button to open your Wallet and then select Digital ID. Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near an identity reader and use Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate. Users can also see exactly what identity information is being requested before they finalize the verification.
This feature is still in beta because the identity readers have not been fully installed at all TSA checkpoints. The TSA website provides a list of states that currently support mobile ID, but it still recommends that travelers carry their physical identification as a backup.
In the future, users will be able to present their Digital ID at businesses and organizations that need to verify their age, both in person and online. This could include event venues or bars that need to confirm a person is old enough to drink. Online, websites that restrict content to adults could use Apple’s technology to verify a user’s age. For example, when ordering alcohol for delivery through an app, a user could verify their ID during the process.
In these situations, users can confirm they are over 21 without having to share other personal details like their name, address, or exact birthday. Apple states that it cannot see when, where, or what information is shared when a user presents their ID. Users also do not need to unlock their phone or hand it to someone else, as the process works just like Apple Pay.