Apple has introduced its new Digital ID feature, marking a major shift in how travelers verify their identity at airports across the United States.
The feature allows users to create a secure digital identification card inside Apple Wallet using information from their U.S. passport, making it possible to pass through TSA checkpoints without ever reaching for a physical document.
As travel rebounds and airports prepare for busy periods, the arrival of Digital ID promises to simplify the domestic travel experience for millions of passengers.
A New Step Toward Seamless Airport Travel
With Digital ID now accepted at more than 250 TSA checkpoints nationwide, travelers on domestic U.S. flights can present their identity using only an iPhone or Apple Watch.
The setup process involves scanning the passport’s photo page, reading the embedded chip to verify authenticity and taking a selfie along with several facial movements for security checks. Once the Digital ID is added, presenting it at airport security requires just a double-click to open the Wallet app, followed by Face ID or Touch ID authentication.
Apple emphasizes that Digital ID is not a replacement for a physical passport and cannot be used for international travel or border crossings. Instead, it expands the range of options available to travelers who may not yet have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or prefer to keep their physical documents safely tucked away.
As domestic airports brace for holiday crowds, this feature could ease congestion at security checkpoints by reducing the time spent handling physical IDs.
Beyond airports, Apple plans to expand Digital ID acceptance to additional businesses and organizations. In the future, travelers may use their Digital ID for age verification, hotel check-ins or app-based identity confirmations, further integrating digital identification into everyday life.
Enhanced Security Designed for Travelers
Apple’s approach to Digital ID focuses heavily on privacy and security – two concerns that matter deeply to frequent travelers. According to the company, all passport data added during setup is stored only on the user’s device and never uploaded to external servers. Digital ID information is encrypted, and Apple cannot track when or where someone uses their ID.
Another key feature is selective data sharing. When presenting their Digital ID, travelers see exactly which information is being requested and must confirm with biometric authentication before it is shared. This process eliminates the need to hand over a phone or unlock a device, reducing risks during identity verification.
Digital ID builds on Apple’s earlier rollout of digital driver’s licenses and state IDs, already active in a dozen states and Puerto Rico. The launch also follows the introduction of digital ID support in Japan, where users can store their national My Number card on iPhone.
With the addition of U.S. passport-based Digital ID, Apple strengthens its position in transforming the airport experience. While the feature currently applies only to domestic travel, its expansion signals a future in which digital identity could play a central role in how people move through airports, hotels and travel services worldwide.
