Apple has officially launched its ‘Digital ID’ feature, allowing iPhone users to add their U.S. passport information to their Apple Wallet for use at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints across more than 250 airports nationwide. The system, released just in time for the busy holiday travel season, enables travelers to use their smartphones or Apple Watches instead of physical identification documents when passing through airport security for domestic flights.
This development represents a major shift in how Americans will navigate airport security procedures. The move could reduce wait times and streamline the verification process. However, it is also raising questions about privacy, security, and the increasing digitization of personal identification documents in everyday life.
How Apple’s Digital ID Works
The new Digital ID system allows users to add their U.S. passport details to Apple Wallet through a verification process that includes scanning the physical passport photo page and chip, as well as taking a selfie. After completing this setup, travelers can present their digital ID by holding their iPhone or Apple Watch near a TSA reader and confirming their identity using Face ID or Touch ID.
Users maintain control over which information is shared during verification and, importantly, they never need to unlock or hand over their devices. While the technology is being rolled out at hundreds of airports across the United States, the feature is currently in beta. Apple has been clear that Digital ID does not replace a physical passport for international travel or border crossings. According to AP News, the system builds on Apple’s existing digital identification infrastructure, which already allows residents of 12 states and Puerto Rico to add their driver’s licenses or state IDs to Apple Wallet.
Security And Privacy Considerations
Apple emphasizes the security features built into Digital ID, stating that all ID information remains encrypted on the user’s device and is not shared with Apple. The company claims it cannot see when and where users present their ID or what data was shared. The authentication requirement of Face ID or Touch ID is designed to prevent unauthorized use of someone else’s Digital ID.
To present a Digital ID at a TSA checkpoint, users can double-click the side button or Home button on their device to access Apple Wallet. They can then select Digital ID and hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near an identity reader. The system then asks users to review the requested information and authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID. According to Apple, “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.”
