Ddos 
Apple has announced a significant update to Apple Wallet, formally enabling users to digitize their United States passports and store them directly within the Wallet app. This advancement allows travelers to present a Digital ID on their iPhone or Apple Watch when boarding domestic flights, serving as valid identification at TSA security checkpoints.
For countless Americans who have yet to upgrade their driver’s licenses to meet Real ID requirements, this update arrives as a welcome relief.
It means that anyone holding a valid passport will no longer need to carry a physical passport booklet when flying within the country, nor worry that an outdated driver’s license might fail to pass security checks. Identity verification and boarding can now be completed effortlessly using a phone. For travelers long frustrated by the Real ID mandate, this shift promises a markedly smoother and more convenient journey.
According to Apple, the digital identification feature will work across both iPhone and Apple Watch. Deployment is already underway at TSA checkpoints across more than 250 airports in the United States.
However, Apple underscores several limitations. The digital passport is only valid for identity verification on U.S. domestic flights. Travelers embarking on international trips must still carry—and present—their physical passport at customs and border control.
Moreover, as reported by TechCrunch, not all TSA checkpoints have upgraded their scanners to support reading digital credentials. During this transition period, travelers are therefore advised to keep a physical passport on hand to avoid disruptions.
The setup process remains characteristically simple. Users need only open the Wallet app and follow the guided steps, which include taking a selfie and completing a series of facial and head movements to ensure authenticity and security.
This digital passport capability was first introduced in iOS 26 as part of a broader expansion of digital identification tools. Apple Wallet already supports adding driver’s licenses and state IDs in twelve U.S. states and Puerto Rico.
Looking ahead, Apple intends to extend digital ID functionality beyond air travel. The company envisions a future in which merchants will be able to accept these credentials for age verification and other purposes, further advancing the goal of a fully paperless Wallet.
Google, for its part, introduced a similar option late last year, allowing U.S. residents to store passport data digitally in Google Wallet. Yet, as with Apple’s system, only select airports currently accept digital identification, and support remains limited to specific domestic travel scenarios.
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