Traveling home for the festive season has just become significantly more seamless for Apple aficionados. The tech giant has enhanced its Digital ID feature, permitting users of iPhones and Apple Watches to incorporate their passports into Apple Wallet for identity verification at select airports across the United States.
This recent update enables users to securely archive their passports within Apple Wallet, utilizing it for identity verification at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. Currently, over 250 domestic airports nationwide support this innovative feature.
Apple has emphasized that this digital passport is not a substitute for a physical document. It remains prudent for travelers to maintain their original passports, particularly for international journeys or when digital IDs are not recognized.
The Functionality of Digital IDs at Airports
At designated TSA checkpoints, travelers can authenticate their identities through their iPhone or Apple Watch without needing to present physical documentation.
This development proves especially beneficial for those who have yet to acquire a Real ID or reside in states that utilize standalone digital ID applications that are incompatible with Apple Wallet.
While Apple has previously supported digital driver’s licenses and state-issued IDs, uptake has varied across the country. The integration of passport support surmounts numerous state-level obstacles, thereby facilitating a more uniform experience on a national scale.
Instructions for Adding a Passport to Apple Wallet
Considering the sensitivity of passport information, the setup procedure incorporates several stringent security measures:
- Open Apple Wallet
- Tap the “+” icon
- Select Driver’s License or ID Cards
- Choose Digital ID
- Adhere to the on-screen instructions
During this process, users will be required to photograph the passport’s photo page, scan the embedded chip using their iPhone, and execute a live selfie with facial movement verification to authenticate their identity.
The Digital ID passport functionality is presently limited to the United States and is accessible on iPhone and Apple Watch models operating on iOS 26.1 or later.
At this time, a fraction of the nation’s more than 5,000 public airports support the initiative. Nevertheless, Apple indicates that expansion will occur gradually via its Verify with Wallet API, potentially enabling users to verify identity or age across various businesses, venues, and locations using their Apple devices.
As this feature continues to develop, Apple aspires to enhance digital identity verification, rendering it quicker, more secure, and increasingly accepted throughout diverse travel and everyday life situations.
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