Your Passport is Now in Your iPhone: Apple's Digital ID Revolution Arrives at 250+ US Airports

The days of digging through your bag for your passport at airport security may finally be over. Apple officially launched Digital ID on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, bringing a revolutionary feature to iPhone and Apple Watch users across the United States: the ability to store and present passport credentials directly from their devices at TSA checkpoints. This isn't just another incremental update—it's a fundamental shift in how we think about travel documentation and digital identity. And for the millions of Americans who don't live in the dozen states currently supporting digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet, this passport-based Digital ID represents their first opportunity to go fully digital at airport security. What Exactly is Apple's Digital ID? Digital ID is a new feature that allows users to create an ID in Apple Wallet using information from their U.S. passport and present it with the security and privacy of iPhone or Apple Watch. Think of it as a digitally verified version of your passport that lives securely on your device, encrypted and protected by the same technology that keeps your Apple Pay transactions safe. The launch comes after months of anticipation. The feature was previously announced as part of the iOS 26 release but didn't arrive with the debut, with Apple saying it would come in a future software update. That wait is now over, and the rollout is happening via a server-side update, meaning eligible users can start setting it up immediately without waiting for a full iOS update. How Does It Work? The Setup Process Setting up your Digital ID is surprisingly straightforward, though it does require your physical passport and a few minutes of your time. Here's the step-by-step process: Step 1: Open Your Wallet Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the Add (+) button in the upper-right corner, then choose "Driver's License or ID Cards" from the list of options and tap "Digital ID." Step 2: Scan Your Passport You'll be asked to use your iPhone to scan the photo page of your physical passport, then use your iPhone to read the chip embedded on the back of your passport to ensure the data's authenticity. This dual-verification process ensures that the passport being digitized is legitimate and hasn't been tampered with. Step 3: Biometric Verification You'll take a selfie for verification, and as another security step, you'll be prompted to complete a series of facial and head movements during the setup process. These movements help Apple verify that you're a real person and match the passport photo. Step 4: Wait for Verification The entire process typically takes just a few minutes. Once verified, your Digital ID appears in your Apple Wallet, ready to use at participating TSA checkpoints. Using Digital ID at Airport Security When you arrive at a TSA checkpoint, using your Digital ID is designed to be as seamless as Apple Pay. You can double-click the side button or Home button to access your Wallet, then select Digital ID. The iPhone or Apple Watch should be held near an identity reader, and users will use Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate their information. One of the most important privacy features: Users do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to present their ID. This addresses a major concern many have had about digital IDs—you're not giving a TSA agent access to your unlocked phone where they could potentially see other personal information. The system shows you exactly what information is being requested before you authorize its release with Face ID or Touch ID. You maintain complete control over what data you share and when. Where Can You Use It? Current Availability At launch, Digital ID acceptance will roll out first in beta at TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports in the U.S. for in-person identity verification during domestic travel. This covers most major and mid-size airports across the country. The digital passport can be used at select TSA checkpoints in airports in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Ohio, and Puerto Rico. This list represents the initial rollout, with more states and locations expected to come online as the feature moves out of beta. The Real ID Connection Timing for this launch couldn't be better. The change is particularly urgent given the Real ID rules, which began enforcement in May, rendering many state IDs insufficient for TSA checkpoints. For travelers whose state driver's licenses aren't REAL ID compliant, Digital ID using passport credentials provides an instant solution. Because you've essentially presented a digitalized version of your passport, you'll satisfy the Real ID requirement as well. This means no more worrying about whether your state ID meets federal standards for domestic air travel. Important Limitations to Know Before you toss your physical passport in a drawer, there are critical limitations to understand: Domestic Use Only Digital ID is not a replacement for a physical passport and cannot be used for international travel and border crossing in lieu of a U.S. passport. If you're flying internationally, you'll still need your physical passport for customs and immigration. Beta Status The feature is still in beta as it hasn't fully rolled out to all the device readers at the TSA checkpoints at this time. This means you might encounter checkpoints where the technology isn't yet available or isn't working properly. TSA recommends always carrying your physical ID as a backup. Device Requirements The feature requires an iPhone with iOS 26 or later, or an Apple Watch paired with a compatible iPhone. If your device dies or malfunctions, you'll need that physical backup. Privacy and Security: How Your Data is Protected Apple has designed Digital ID with privacy at its core. Digital ID data is encrypted. When users create a Digital ID, their passport data is stored on the device. Apple cannot see when and where users present their ID, or what data was presented. The security measures include: On-device storage: Your passport information never leaves your device and isn't stored on Apple's servers Biometric authentication: Only you can present your Digital ID using Face ID or Touch ID Selective disclosure: You see exactly what information is being requested before authorizing its release Tamper protection: The system is designed to detect and prevent unauthorized modifications Only the information needed for a transaction is presented, and the user has the opportunity to review and authorize the information being requested with Face ID or Touch ID before it is shared. Catching Up to Google: The Competitive Landscape Apple isn't the first to market with this technology. Google Wallet passports served as a 'real-ID equivalent' for TSA domestic travel since December 2024, so Android users have had a head start. However, Apple's integration with its broader ecosystem and its emphasis on privacy features may give it an edge in user adoption. The slow rollout of state-issued digital driver's licenses has created demand for a more universal solution. Right now, only 11 states and territories offer digital IDs in the US, which has left millions of iPhone users sitting on the sidelines. Digital ID using passports solves this problem since any US passport holder can participate, regardless of where they live. Beyond the Airport: Future Use Cases While airport security is the initial focus, Apple has bigger plans for Digital ID. Apple says that users will eventually be able to present their Digital ID at businesses and organizations where they need to verify their age, both in-person and online. Jennifer Bailey, Apple's VP of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, confirmed that additional Digital ID acceptance use cases are coming in the future. This could include: Age verification for purchasing alcohol or tobacco Identity verification for online account creation Check-in at hotels or rental car companies Access to age-restricted venues or events Identity verification for financial services Apple Wallet's Expanding Role This launch is part of Apple's broader strategy to transform Wallet from a payment app into a comprehensive digital identity hub. In addition, 90% of U.S. retailers support Apple Pay, up from 3% at launch 11 years ago. The Wallet app now supports car keys for over 300 vehicle models, transit passes in more than 250 regions and 800 cities globally, and hotel keys for more than 65,000 hotel rooms. The addition of passport-based Digital ID represents perhaps the most significant expansion yet, bringing secure identity verification to virtually every iPhone user in the United States. Real-World Considerations: Will It Actually Work? Despite the technological promise, some travelers remain skeptical based on past experiences with digital ID systems. Real-world implementation of technology at TSA checkpoints has been inconsistent, with reports of malfunctioning readers and agents unfamiliar with the systems. Apple Pay was now live in 89 markets around the world, with more than 11,000 banks and networks supporting Apple Pay, including 15 domestic networks. This widespread adoption of Apple Pay infrastructure suggests the company has experience scaling payment and verification technologies, which could translate to more reliable Digital ID implementation. However, TSA advises travelers to always carry physical identification as a backup, at least during this initial rollout phase. Technology failures, dead batteries, or simply encountering a checkpoint that hasn't yet upgraded its systems could leave you stranded without your digital-only approach. Privacy Concerns and Civil Liberties While Apple has designed robust privacy protections into Digital ID, civil liberties advocates have raised concerns about any digital ID system. The American Civil Liberties Union has warned about the complexities of consent when showing a police officer your unlocked phone, even for a specific purpose like showing identification. With Digital ID, however, you never need to unlock your phone or hand it to anyone. The tap-to-verify system keeps your device in your possession, authenticated by your biometrics, which addresses many of these concerns. Still, it's worth being aware of the broader implications of normalizing digital identification systems. How This Changes Travel For frequent travelers, Digital ID could be transformative. The ability to tap your phone or watch at security, combined with digital boarding passes already in Wallet, means you could potentially navigate an entire domestic flight with nothing but your device. This is particularly valuable for: Business travelers making frequent domestic trips who can streamline their security process Minimalist travelers who prefer carrying as little as possible Residents of non-REAL ID states who needed passports for domestic travel anyway Anyone prone to forgetting or losing physical documents who now has a secure backup The feature also positions Apple well for future expansion. If international borders eventually adopt compatible digital ID verification systems, Apple Wallet could become a true passport replacement for all types of travel. What's Next? As Digital ID moves from beta to full rollout, expect to see: Expanded TSA checkpoint coverage as more airports upgrade their equipment Additional use cases for age and identity verification in retail and online Possible expansion to other countries if their governments adopt compatible digital ID standards Integration with other travel services like hotels, rental cars, and train stations Apple's track record with Wallet features suggests the company will continue refining the experience based on user feedback and expanding functionality over time. The Bottom Line Apple's Digital ID represents a genuine leap forward in travel convenience and digital identity. For U.S. passport holders with compatible iPhones or Apple Watches, it's worth setting up now, even if you continue carrying your physical passport as a backup during the beta period. The combination of security, privacy, and convenience could finally make the long-promised vision of a smartphone replacing your wallet a practical reality—at least for domestic travel. As the technology matures and adoption spreads, we may look back on this as the moment when physical identification documents began their slow march toward obsolescence. For now, set up your Digital ID, keep your physical passport handy as a backup, and enjoy the convenience of tapping through TSA security on your next domestic flight. The future of travel identity has arrived, and it fits right in your pocket.