iPhone Users Can Now Store U.S. Passport Information in Apple Wallet — Digital ID's Coming Soon

Ahead of the upcoming holiday travel surge, Apple has introduced a new feature allowing iPhone users to upload and store U.S. passport information directly in Apple Wallet. The new Digital ID system, announced Wednesday, is designed to streamline identity verification at airports—particularly for travelers who may not yet have a Real ID–compliant driver’s license.

According to Apple, Digital ID will first become available in beta at more than 250 TSA checkpoints nationwide, allowing passengers to verify their identity for domestic flights without presenting a physical ID card or passport booklet.

However, Apple emphasized that Digital ID cannot replace a physical passport for international travel or for crossing borders. The traditional passport book remains required for all international movement.

This development adds to Apple’s growing portfolio of secure digital identity tools. Before this announcement, Apple Wallet already supported driver’s licenses and state IDs in 12 states and Puerto Rico, while the TSA currently accepts some form of mobile ID in at least 16 states.

This is part of a larger rollout for the digital ID program. Eventually, everyone will have all of their infromation digitized into a central database that is easily accessible. Look for digital ID's to be the norm globally by 2030.

How to Add Your U.S. Passport to Apple Wallet

Apple has outlined a step-by-step setup process:

1. Open Apple Wallet

Launch the Wallet app and tap the + (plus) symbol in the top-right corner. Select Digital ID.

2. Scan Your Passport

Use your iPhone’s camera to scan the passport’s photo page. Then place your iPhone against the NFC chip embedded on the passport’s back page to authenticate the data.

3. Complete Identity Verification

You will be prompted to:

• Take a selfie, and

• Perform a few facial movements (eyes closed, head turn, etc.) to verify biometric data.

Once confirmed, your Digital ID automatically appears inside Apple Wallet.

How to Use Your Digital ID at TSA Checkpoints

Using your passport’s Digital ID works very similarly to making an Apple Pay transaction:

1. Double-click your iPhone’s side button to open Wallet.

2. Select your Digital ID card.

3. Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the TSA reader.

The machine will take a live photo and request certain information—your name, date of birth, or ID number. You must authenticate the request using Face ID or Touch ID before the data is shared.

Notably, you are never required to hand your device to TSA officers, keeping your device in your possession at all times.

Security: How Apple Protects Your Passport Data

Apple says all Digital ID data is:

• Encrypted and stored only on the device

• Accessed only with the user’s biometric authentication

• Never visible to Apple

• Never shared without explicit user approval

Apple also states it cannot track when or where users present their Digital ID—preserving user privacy even during security screening.

Where Mobile IDs Are Currently Accepted

The TSA reports that more than a dozen states accept mobile IDs at select airport checkpoints, including:

Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico.

Travelers can review updated state and airport availability on the TSA website (outbound link).

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