Apple Introduces Digital Passports, IDs for Your Phone’s Wallet

The ongoing government shutdown has made it difficult to travel around the country by air, but one of America's biggest companies has introduced a new feature that can help travelers expedite their journey through security.

Apple is introducing Digital ID, allowing customers with non-expired US passports and valid government-issued driver's licenses to use their phones as official means of entry. The feature is in testing with TSA, and it will be available to iOS users with iPhones or Apple Watches on November 12.

The technology will be implemented at more than 250 airports across the country, allowing users to present the government-administered credentials for domestic travel.

A 'Secure and Convenient' Option for Travelers

Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, Jennifer Bailey, said in a statement that the new option is "secure and convenient." Customers are unable to use the Digital ID as a replacement for a passport in regards to international travel, nor will they be able to use it to cross borders.

Users can add their US passport, and in select states their driver's license. States that accept digital IDs stored in Apple Wallets include Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico and Ohio. Users in Puerto Rico are also able to add their driver's licenses.

The digital wallet feature is available to users with an iPhone 11 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later. The associated hardware must be updated to the latest version of either iOs or WatchOS, and the user must enable two-factor verification.

How to Add and Use the New Digital ID

To add a passport, Apple says users need to scan the photo page of their physical passport and scan the chip on the back of the physical passport to certify its authenticity. After that, users will take a selfie and perform a series of head movements - similar to the process of setting up FaceID.

When adding passports or driver's licenses to the iPhone, Apple says that user data is encrypted to protect against theft. The ID can only be accessed through biometric data, ensuring that the user is the only one who can pull it up.

Apple says that only the information needed for a transaction is presented, and that users can review what will be displayed before opting in. The user also does not need to unlock, show, or hand over their phone or watch in order to show their ID.

Apple has not released a comprehensive list of the airports that accept the new digital ID, but does note that it can be used even if the user does not have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID.