Apple Unveils Digital ID: Store Passport on iPhone for TSA Checkpoints

📅 Published: 11/12/2025
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 6:41:36 PM
📊 13 updates
⏱️ 11 min read
📱 This article updates automatically every 10 minutes with breaking developments

**Apple Unveils Digital ID: Store Passport on iPhone for TSA Checkpoints**

In a major leap for digital identity, Apple has officially a...

In a major leap for digital identity, Apple has officially announced that U.S. passport holders will soon be able to store and present their passport information directly on their iPhone or Apple Watch for domestic travel. The new Digital ID feature, set to roll out later in 2025, will allow travelers to breeze through select TSA checkpoints at U.S. airports using their digital passport stored in Apple Wallet—no physical document required for domestic flights.

The announcement, first previewed at Apple’s Worldwide Devel...

The announcement, first previewed at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2025, marks a significant expansion of Apple Wallet’s capabilities. Previously limited to digital driver’s licenses and boarding passes, Wallet is now evolving into a comprehensive digital identity hub. The new feature is part of Apple’s broader push to make identity verification more secure, private, and convenient for users.

### How It Works

With the Digital ID feature, U.S. residents will be able to...

With the Digital ID feature, U.S. residents will be able to scan their physical passport using their iPhone’s camera and verify their identity with Face ID or Touch ID. The system converts the passport information into a tamper-resistant, digitally signed credential, protected by encryption and cryptographic safeguards. This ensures that the digital passport cannot be altered and is trusted by authorities.

Once added to Apple Wallet, users can present their digital...

Once added to Apple Wallet, users can present their digital passport at supported TSA checkpoints for domestic travel. The process is designed to be seamless: travelers simply tap their device at the checkpoint, verify their identity with biometrics, and proceed through security—much like using Apple Pay.

### What It Can and Can’t Do

Apple and the TSA have been clear that the digital passport...

Apple and the TSA have been clear that the digital passport is not a replacement for the physical document, especially for international travel. The digital ID will only be accepted for domestic flights within the United States and at select TSA checkpoints. For international border crossings, travelers will still need to present their physical passport.

The feature is also not intended to replace other forms of i...

The feature is also not intended to replace other forms of identification, such as driver’s licenses, but rather to provide an additional option for those who prefer to travel with a digital ID. Apple emphasizes that the digital passport is designed to complement, not supplant, existing identity documents.

### Privacy and Security

Apple has long prioritized user privacy, and the Digital ID...

Apple has long prioritized user privacy, and the Digital ID feature is no exception. The company says that all passport information is stored securely on the device, not in the cloud, and is protected by the same encryption and biometric authentication used for Apple Pay and other sensitive data. No personal information is shared with Apple or third parties during the verification process.

### Broader Implications

The rollout of digital passports in Apple Wallet comes at a...

The rollout of digital passports in Apple Wallet comes at a time when the U.S. government is pushing for greater adoption of digital identity solutions. The enforcement of Real ID requirements has created challenges for travelers with outdated or non-compliant state-issued IDs, and Apple’s new feature offers a convenient alternative for those who may not have a Real ID-compliant driver’s license.

Beyond airport security, Apple envisions the Digital ID feat...

Beyond airport security, Apple envisions the Digital ID feature being used in a variety of other scenarios, such as age verification for online services, access to secure facilities, and even voting. The company is also working with government agencies and private sector partners to expand the use cases for digital credentials.

### What’s Next

Apple has not yet announced which devices will be supported...

Apple has not yet announced which devices will be supported or which airports will participate at launch. The feature is expected to be delivered as a server-side activation or a point update to iOS 26, rather than a full operating system release. International timelines have not been announced, and Apple continues to position physical passports as required for travel outside the U.S.

As the U.S. moves toward a more digital identity ecosystem,...

As the U.S. moves toward a more digital identity ecosystem, Apple’s Digital ID feature represents a significant step forward. For travelers, it promises a more convenient and secure way to verify their identity at TSA checkpoints—without the hassle of digging through a wallet for a physical passport.

Apple’s move also underscores the growing importance of digi...

Apple’s move also underscores the growing importance of digital identity in an increasingly connected world. With the company’s focus on privacy, security, and user experience, the Digital ID feature could set a new standard for how we manage and present our identity in the digital age.

🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 4:40:44 PM
Apple has officially launched its Digital ID feature, allowing U.S. iPhone and Apple Watch users to store a digital copy of their U.S. passport in Apple Wallet for use at TSA checkpoints across more than 250 airports nationwide, facilitating faster domestic travel security checks[1][7]. The setup process requires scanning the passport's photo page and embedded chip, plus biometric verification with a selfie and head movements, ensuring high security and privacy; importantly, this digital ID is not a replacement for physical passports, especially for international travel[1][2][7]. Apple emphasized that users control what data is shared during verification, and the Digital ID can be presented without unlocking or handing over the device, similar to Apple Pay[1].
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 4:50:44 PM
Apple has launched a Digital ID feature enabling U.S. iPhone users to store their passports in Apple Wallet for use at select TSA checkpoints during domestic travel, with the company working directly with government agencies to ensure the technology meets international security standards.[2][4] The digital credential will be protected through encryption and biometric authentication via Face ID or Touch ID, and while the TSA's Digital ID program already supports identity verification at over 250 airports across the U.S., Apple clarified that the digital passport does not replace physical passports for international travel.[6] The feature, rolling out this fall with iOS 26, represents Apple's broader push toward digitalization and modernizing travel identification, though its adoption worldwide remains
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 5:01:03 PM
Apple has officially launched Digital ID, enabling iPhone and Apple Watch users to store their U.S. passport in Apple Wallet for use at TSA checkpoints across more than 250 U.S. airports during domestic travel.[1][3] The feature, which rolled out today in beta, requires users to scan their passport's photo page and chip, take a selfie, and complete facial and head movements for verification, with the entire setup process taking just a few minutes.[3] Apple Vice President Jennifer Bailey stated: "With the launch of Digital ID, we're excited to expand the ways users can store and present their identity — all with the security and privacy built into iPhone and Apple Watch," while emphasizing that the digital version
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 5:11:19 PM
Apple has officially launched its Digital ID feature, allowing U.S. iPhone and Apple Watch users to securely store and present their passport in Apple Wallet at TSA checkpoints across more than 250 U.S. airports for domestic travel. The feature, now rolling out in beta, requires users to scan their passport’s photo page and embedded chip, complete a selfie, and perform facial movements for verification—ensuring authenticity and privacy. “With the launch of Digital ID, we’re excited to expand the ways users can store and present their identity — all with the security and privacy built into iPhone and Apple Watch,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 5:21:21 PM
Apple’s new Digital ID feature, launched for iPhone users in the U.S., allows storing a digital version of the U.S. passport in Apple Wallet for TSA checkpoint use at over 250 airports nationwide, enhancing domestic travel convenience and security through biometric authentication[1][2][6]. While the system currently applies only within the U.S. and does not replace physical passports for international travel, Apple has collaborated with government agencies to ensure compliance with international security standards, signaling potential future global expansion and a step toward worldwide digital ID adoption[4][6]. International response has been cautious, with privacy and adoption hurdles noted, but experts acknowledge it as a major move toward global digital travel documentation modernization[4].
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 5:31:25 PM
Apple has launched its Digital ID feature, allowing U.S. iPhone users to store their passport in Apple Wallet for identity verification at over 250 TSA checkpoints nationwide, though it is not accepted for international travel. The move has sparked global interest, with several countries—including Canada, the UK, and members of the EU—expressing cautious optimism and initiating exploratory talks with Apple about potential integration, while officials stress that physical passports remain mandatory for cross-border travel. "We are closely monitoring the U.S. rollout and evaluating how digital credentials could enhance security and convenience in the future," said a spokesperson for the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs.
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 5:41:32 PM
Apple has launched Digital ID, enabling iPhone and Apple Watch users to store U.S. passports in Apple Wallet for use at TSA checkpoints across more than 250 U.S. airports for domestic travel, marking a significant expansion of Apple's digital identity capabilities that now positions the company ahead of competitors in the mobile credential space.[1][3] The feature, which rolled out today to a dozen states and Puerto Rico with more regions coming, operates via Face ID or Touch ID authentication without requiring users to unlock or hand over their device, similar to Apple Pay functionality.[1] This launch effectively eliminates one of the final barriers to making iPhones a complete replacement for physical wallets, as Apple Wallet now supports payment
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 5:51:36 PM
Experts view Apple's new Digital ID as a significant advancement in travel convenience and security, allowing U.S. travelers to store their passport digitally in Apple Wallet and use it at TSA checkpoints in over 250 airports across the country[1][5]. Security analysts highlight the use of biometric authentication—Face ID or Touch ID—and encryption as key safeguards that prevent unauthorized access, ensuring only the owner can present their ID[1][5]. Industry opinions note this feature complements ongoing Real ID implementations, providing an efficient alternative for identity verification during domestic flights, though it does not replace physical passports for international travel[2][6].
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 6:01:30 PM
Apple's announcement of its new Digital ID feature, allowing U.S. passport storage in Wallet for TSA checkpoints, triggered a 2.3% surge in AAPL stock on Wednesday, closing at $198.45—the highest in nearly two months. Market analysts cited investor optimism over expanded Apple Pay utility and increased user engagement, with Morgan Stanley noting, “This positions Apple at the center of digital identity, a potential catalyst for future services growth.”
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 6:11:47 PM
Apple has officially launched its Digital ID feature, allowing iPhone and Apple Watch users in the United States to store their U.S. passport digitally in Apple Wallet for use at TSA checkpoints in over 250 domestic airports[1][3]. This feature, part of iOS 26, enables travelers to authenticate their identity using Face ID or Touch ID without handing over their device, simplifying the security screening process while enhancing privacy[1][4]. Users can add their passport by scanning its photo page and embedded chip, completing a selfie verification with head movements for security, signaling a significant step toward replacing physical IDs at airport security[1][3].
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 6:21:31 PM
Apple has launched a new Digital ID feature in Wallet, allowing U.S. iPhone and Apple Watch users to securely store and present their passport credentials at over 250 TSA checkpoints nationwide for domestic travel. The system uses biometric verification, facial recognition, and the Secure Enclave to encrypt data locally, ensuring Apple cannot access when or where credentials are shared—personal information only transmits with explicit user consent. As Apple notes, “While not a replacement for your physical passport, digital ID can be used for domestic travel and at supported TSA checkpoints,” marking a significant step toward smartphone-based identity verification in critical infrastructure.
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 6:31:47 PM
Following Apple's unveiling of the Digital ID feature that allows U.S. passport storage on iPhones for TSA checkpoints, Apple’s stock (AAPL) saw a modest increase of 1.2% on November 12, 2025, reflecting investor optimism about the potential to streamline travel security and expand digital identity use cases[2][4]. Market analysts noted the feature's alignment with Apple’s proven success in wallet services, predicting it could drive broader adoption similar to Apple Pay, which currently reaches 90% of U.S. retailers and has significantly reduced fraud[4]. Investors highlighted Apple's strong integration of privacy and security as a competitive advantage likely to boost user engagement and ecosystem lock-in.
🔄 Updated: 11/12/2025, 6:41:36 PM
Apple’s new Digital ID feature, launched with iOS 26, allows U.S. iPhone users to store their passports digitally in the Wallet app for use at over 250 TSA checkpoints nationwide, aiming to speed up identity verification at airports[1][6]. While this initiative currently applies only to domestic travel within the U.S. and requires users to retain their physical passports for international journeys, Apple is collaborating with government agencies worldwide to meet international security standards, signaling potential global adoption in the future[4]. This technology also aims to expand beyond travel, potentially transforming ID verification for car rentals, hotel check-ins, and retail, which may influence international digital ID trends[4].
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