In 2021, Apple unveiled an innovative feature within its Wallet app, allowing users to incorporate their driver’s licenses or state identification cards onto their iPhones. This development signaled, at least to some, a potential decline in the necessity for physical wallets.
However, the reality is rather different; the feature is markedly restricted, and despite the elapsed time, merely 12 states, alongside Puerto Rico, currently endorse this functionality.
As residents of other states await inclusion, alternative options for virtual identification are emerging. On Wednesday, Apple introduced the “Digital ID” initiative, empowering users to create an ID within the Wallet app utilizing their passports.
This circumvents the waiting period for those in the 38 states yet to adopt these ID features: possessing a passport allows immediate access to this new capability.
Even for states that support driver’s licenses and state ID uploads, users without a REAL ID will find themselves at a disadvantage. Conversely, passport holders can leverage this feature, broadening accessibility to an even wider audience.
Nevertheless, similar to previous endeavors in digital identification, the utility of this Digital ID is not universally applicable. Presently, its primary application is air travel: Apple has confirmed that Digital ID is entering a beta phase at over 250 airports, specifically for use at TSA checkpoints.
Crucially, this capability is limited to domestic flights, despite the involvement of the passport. Hence, travelers should not depend on their Digital ID for international flights; a physical passport remains essential for identity verification.
Looking ahead, Apple envisions that this Digital ID could eventually facilitate other activities, including flight and hotel bookings, as well as account openings.
How to Add Your Passport to Your iPhone
To embark on this journey, ensure you possess a valid U.S. passport, an iPhone 11 or later equipped with iOS 26.1 or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later running WatchOS 26.1. Begin by launching the Wallet app on your iPhone and tapping the (+) icon at the upper section of the screen.
Select “Digital ID” under the “United States” option. This will prompt a pop-up detailing the Digital ID procedure. Tap “Continue,” then follow the on-screen guidance to scan various elements of your passport with your device’s camera.
Subsequently, you will need to authenticate your identity by capturing a Live Photo of your face. Upon validation, additional angles of your face and head will need to be documented, with instructions provided by the Wallet app.
Once verified, your ID will reside within the Wallet app. You can quickly access it by opening the app or double-clicking the Side or Home button, enabling you to present your ID whenever necessary.
During TSA queues, for instance, simply approach the reader with your activated ID on your iPhone. Following a successful connection, the reader will capture your image while your device displays pertinent information intended for TSA review, including your legal name, date of birth, gender, nationality, identification number, ID photograph, expiration date, the date added, and the validating authority. To share this data, you will need to double-click the Side or Home button for confirmation.
Is Digital ID Secure?
Affirmatively, according to Apple. The tech giant asserts that any identification data incorporated into the Wallet app, be it a passport, driver’s license, or state ID, is encrypted and stored locally.
This design ensures that access to this data is exclusively yours—Apple itself cannot access it. Moreover, the company is unable to monitor ID usage or discern the information you share during identification verification.
Authentication is facilitated through Face ID or Touch ID, ensuring that even if your iPhone is compromised, your ID data remains secure.
As previously indicated, you will be apprised of the data to be shared during the Digital ID authentication. Should you feel uneasy about sharing this information with entities, such as TSA, you retain the option to bypass the double-click confirmation and select an alternative authentication method.
Furthermore, this feature allows you to keep your iPhone locked and refrain from physically handing it over for verification. By double-clicking the Side or Home button, you can access ID data without jeopardizing your device’s integrity.
While I am generally prudent regarding privacy, I would be inclined to explore this feature—provided I fly out of an airport where it is operational. I can appreciate that some may find the extensive facial scanning process a step too far.
However, Apple contends that the Wallet app utilizes this data to authenticate your identity and mitigate fraud, retaining it only until the issuing authority has rendered a decision regarding your ID.
Ultimately, whether the setup succeeds or not, Apple commits to deleting your facial scans following the process. Given that the remaining data is encrypted, this assurance may suffice for me to comfortably test it.
Source link: Au.lifehacker.com.
