Apple launches digital ID, now passports can be shown on iPhone

The facility to add a passport and ID to iPhone and Apple Wallet has been launched. Photo: Apple

Apple has introduced the ability to add a passport to Apple Wallet. With the new Digital ID feature, iPhone and Apple Watch users can now store a digital copy of their US passport on their device. This digital ID can be used during domestic travel at TSA (Transportation Security Administration) checkpoints at more than 250 airports in the United States.

As part of the new iOS 26 version, this feature has been launched in 12 US states and Puerto Rico. The feature will be gradually introduced in more states. However, the digital ID is not yet a substitute for a paper passport. For international travel or border crossings, you will still have to carry a traditional passport.

The process of adding a digital ID is quite simple. By pressing the add or plus button in the Wallet app, selecting Digital ID from the driver's license or ID card section, the setup begins. Then the user has to scan the passport photo page and the chip on the back of the US passport with the iPhone. To ensure the security of identity verification, a selfie has to be taken. The photo has to be taken with certain facial expressions and head movements.

Apple Wallet already had the opportunity to store various information including payment cards, loyalty cards, tickets, passes. Now, with the addition of government ID, the iPhone is practically emerging as a full-fledged digital wallet. The process of showing the digital ID at the TSA checkpoint is similar to Apple Pay. 

The user double-clicks the side button or home button to launch the wallet. From there, the digital ID has to be selected and held up to the iPhone or Apple Watch identity reader. Then, the verification is completed through Face ID or Touch ID. The user can see what information is being verified on the screen in advance. As a result, the process will be transparent.

The feature is not yet fully operational. The feature is currently in the experimental stage as not all TSA checkpoints have the necessary readers installed. The TSA says on its website that passengers are still required to carry ID. Apple said that in the future, digital IDs can be used for various purposes such as age verification. When entering event venues or hotels or ordering age-restricted products online, users can only verify that they are over 21. No other personal information will have to be shared for this.

Apple claims that digital IDs do not violate user privacy. No information will be known about where or when the user used this ID. This feature does not require unlocking the phone, nor does it require handing over the phone to someone else. This allows the entire process to be completed safely and conveniently, just like Apple Pay.