Apple has introduced a new feature that allows users to store their US passports in the official Wallet app, making it easier to board flights without needing to carry a physical copy of their passport. This move aims to alleviate frustration among travelers who have yet to upgrade to a Real ID.
The digital ID will be visible on both iPhones and Apple Watches and will be accepted at TSA checkpoints across over 250 US-based airports for domestic flights only. However, users planning to travel internationally still need a physical passport. Not all TSA readers are equipped with the technology to scan these digital IDs yet, so it's recommended to bring along a paper passport until the system is fully implemented.
This feature was first announced as part of iOS 26 and will also allow businesses to accept these IDs for age verification purposes. To add a passport to your Apple Wallet, users simply need to follow the prompts in the app, which involve taking a selfie and completing some facial recognition exercises for security.
It's worth noting that while passports are now available in the Wallet app, not all states have implemented the necessary technology to accept them for domestic flights. Currently, only 12 states and Puerto Rico are supported, and these IDs will not be valid for flying unless they meet Real ID or passport standards.
Apple plans to expand this feature beyond air travel, but for now, it's a welcome addition to the Wallet app that should make traveling a bit easier for many users.
The digital ID will be visible on both iPhones and Apple Watches and will be accepted at TSA checkpoints across over 250 US-based airports for domestic flights only. However, users planning to travel internationally still need a physical passport. Not all TSA readers are equipped with the technology to scan these digital IDs yet, so it's recommended to bring along a paper passport until the system is fully implemented.
This feature was first announced as part of iOS 26 and will also allow businesses to accept these IDs for age verification purposes. To add a passport to your Apple Wallet, users simply need to follow the prompts in the app, which involve taking a selfie and completing some facial recognition exercises for security.
It's worth noting that while passports are now available in the Wallet app, not all states have implemented the necessary technology to accept them for domestic flights. Currently, only 12 states and Puerto Rico are supported, and these IDs will not be valid for flying unless they meet Real ID or passport standards.
Apple plans to expand this feature beyond air travel, but for now, it's a welcome addition to the Wallet app that should make traveling a bit easier for many users.
Oh man, can you imagine checking in for your flight without having to dig out your physical passport? 
This new digital ID feature is straight fire! 
I'm loving how seamless it is to store and use my passport in the Wallet app - just take a selfie, do some facial recognition exercises, and voilà! Your digital ID is ready for takeoff. 
The fact that it's already working on both iPhones and Apple Watches is a major bonus. And who knows, maybe one day we'll be able to leave our passports at home without worrying about the hassle of losing or misplacing them. 
One thing that's holding me back from getting super excited, though, is that it's still limited to 12 states in the US... but I'm sure Apple will keep expanding this feature soon enough! 
! I mean, who doesn't love not having to carry around an extra piece of paper? It makes sense that it's not going to be available everywhere yet, but 12 states and Puerto Rico is a good start. I can imagine how annoying it must be to have to show your ID multiple times at the airport... this should make things way smoother for people who travel frequently. And yay for age verification too! It's just so cool that you can take a selfie and do some facial recognition exercises and voila, your digital ID is all set. I'm curious though how it's going to work with international flights... can't we just get rid of the physical passport altogether? 
. But, I have to wonder how long it's gonna take for all states to get on board (no pun intended 
) with this digital ID thingy. 12 out of 50? That's a whole lotta work... and what about international travel? Can't we just have one way to do things, you know? 
Either way, I'm down for all the extra convenience - it's about time we made traveling a bit less stressful! 
But yeah, international travel still needs that physical passport, and the tech isn't all there yet 
! Anyway, I'm loving this new feature – gotta say, it's gonna save me so much time and stress when I travel 
, no need to carry around that heavy bulky book anymore! 
and its so convenient too, u just take a selfie and ur good to go 
. i mean, who needs all that hassle of showing ur passport at the airport when u can just show ur phone? 
but yeah, not all states have it yet, thats kinda whack 
. anyway, this is a great step forward for apple and travel in general, cant wait to try it out myself! 
️ and I'm loving it! This is a game-changer for travelers #TravelTech #ConvenienceMatters 
The only thing that's got me a bit confused is why they're not expanding this feature to all states yet