Apple Launches Digital ID for U.S. Passport Holders at 250+ Airports
Updated
Updated · AppleMagazine · Jul 28
Apple Launches Digital ID for U.S. Passport Holders at 250+ Airports
2 articles · Updated · AppleMagazine · Jul 28
Summary
Apple’s new Wallet credential lets eligible U.S. passport holders verify identity from an iPhone or Apple Watch at select TSA checkpoints for domestic flights and in participating apps or websites.
The feature bypasses state mobile-ID limits by using data authenticated from a passport’s NFC chip, giving access even in unsupported states or for travelers whose licenses are not REAL ID-compliant.
Apple says the credential is not a digital passport and cannot replace a physical passport for international travel, border crossings or any situation where a passport book is legally required.
Setup requires an unexpired U.S. passport, an iPhone 11 or newer running iOS 26.1, and users age 13 or older; only one iPhone and one Apple Watch can hold the ID per account.
At supported TSA readers—now in beta at more than 250 U.S. airports—users approve only requested fields, while Apple says passport data is deleted after issuance and presentation history stays encrypted on-device.