Apple is rolling out support for ‘Digital IDs’ tied to US passports and verified by facial biometrics, allowing travellers to use their iPhone or Apple Watch for identity checks at TSA airport checkpoints
The American passport is moving into the digital realm, as Apple confirms it is adding support for passport-based digital identification to its Wallet application.
The new feature, which the company calls Digital ID, allows US travellers to create a secure, verifiable digital copy of their passport on their iPhone or Apple Watch. Critically, these digital credentials will be accepted at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints for domestic flights across 250 airports in the US, simplifying identity verification for passengers.
“Since introducing the ability to add a driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet in 2022, we’ve seen how much users love having their ID right on their devices,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s VP of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. The launch of Digital IDs extends this convenience to passport holders across the country.
Biometric Verification & Security
The process for setting up the Digital ID is highly secure and relies on biometric technology. Users must scan their physical passport document and then complete a selfie for face biometrics matching, along with an active liveness check to confirm they are physically present.
When a user presents their Digital ID at a TSA checkpoint, they must authenticate the transaction using either Touch ID (fingerprint) or Face ID (facial recognition). This ensures that only the device owner can share the data.
The system is designed with privacy at its core: Digital ID data is encrypted, and users are given control to review the specific information being requested before authorising its share, all without ever needing to physically hand over their device.
It is important to note that these Digital IDs are for identity verification during security checks for domestic travel and will not substitute for a physical passport when crossing international borders.
This passport integration builds upon Apple’s earlier success in bringing state-issued identification, such as mobile driver’s licences (mDLs), to the Wallet. Currently, mDLs from 12 US states and Puerto Rico, as well as Japan’s My Number Card, are supported. Google Wallet recently extended similar support for state IDs.
Ms. Bailey has previously hinted at Apple’s broader vision for the Wallet, suggesting it could soon incorporate other credentials, including car keys, hotel keys, and student IDs, further consolidating a user’s physical documents into their mobile device.