Apple Announces Launch of U.S. Passport Feature in iPhone's Wallet App

[echopulse]

"Everywhere and always" except in the many, many places that don't accept cash at all.

And Apple Pay has worked when your phone is dead for a decade now.

That's only for travel systems.

 

[paulbart]

I've had the exact same issue, and I was also having the issue with my driver's license, both refusing to add the ID to the watch. In the end I unpaired the watch and configured it as a new watch. After a couple of attempts (in the end I also had to remove the passport ID from the phone) I was able to add the passport ID and the drivers license to the watch. I am not sure what was stuck. It seems to me it is a bug. Just sharing that I had to go a bit to the extremes to get this to work. To summarize, what I think worked for me was to unpair watch, remove IDs from iPhone, pair the watch again. Wait until the wallet app gets installed to watch, try to re-enroll on IDs on the iPhone and ask for the ID to be installed to Apple Watch. Wait until the whole thing goes through. It took some more time for the IDs to show in the watch. I had to be a bit patient. I think on my last attempt I didn't have to manually add the IDs from the watch app wallet settings entry in the iPhone. I think it added the IDs automatically to the watch.

Thanks. It also occurred to me to unpair/re-pair, and to remove the passport from my iPhone and try adding again. I ended up doing neither.

Unpair/repair is annoying/time consuming. Removing the passport from my iPhone could result in me never being able to add back to my iPhone (it took 2 attempts originally - what if it takes 50 attempts next time?)

Hopefully this’ll be fixed. Maybe an iOS update.

I’m not really sure how convenient it is to have the passport on my Watch, anyway. It sounds like they require Face ID (on iPhone) to unlock it when using it, although maybe I’m misinterpreting the instructions (instructions don’t go into much detail on using the Watch)

 

[G5isAlive]

Thing is, the drivers license is one thing, as you have the hard copy with you. This is nice, and great for a backup, but that's all.

I made a post about people relying on this, and got all these down votes. But those people aren't' relying on it almost certainly, so.....

So you offer an opinion on the usefulness and then complain about other people having an opinion? FWIW anything that keeps my physical license in my wallet is a good thing to me.

 

[technole]

Just like Apple Pay, it can come in handy if you don’t have your real wallet with you.

Yeah, while I have Clear and can get away with no ID most times at airports. There can be the random check, and can just use electronic at TSA precheck line.

 

[slippery-pete]

I look forward to the stories of the air passengers who think they can fly internationally without their physical passports.

Oh yes expect there to be tons. Might see some as early as tomorrow

 

[fehhkk]

Worked perfectly for me too

 

[FriendlyMackle]

I suppose you still do your tax return on paper and hand it to the IRS in person as it could get lost by the USPS...

I would think there is biometric data embedded in the chip you scan (whether that is in any way saved within the digital ID, I have no idea, but…I would worry if I thought the secure enclave was vulnerable to cracking). I do trust Apple to do a good job protecting the data. The US government, less so. Almost everything on our tax returns has been leaked multiple times at this point, perhaps excepting bank account details.

 

[technole]

Oh yes expect there to be tons. Might see some as early as tomorrow

Not sure how, you need a passport to check-in anyway and for your bags. Everyone knows a ticket counter does a physical ID check.

 

[Promostyle]

Didn’t work for me, latest iOS 26.1, 17pm. Said couldn’t read the chip. Passport scanned last week in and out of 3 countries so that works. Just buggy apple as usual. Maybe this feature needs more preferences or notifications or emoji to work right. Or maybe a paid subscription

 

[Rigby]

I would think there is biometric data embedded in the chip you scan (whether that is in any way saved within the digital ID, I have no idea, but…I would worry if I thought the secure enclave was vulnerable to cracking). I do trust Apple to do a good job protecting the data. The US government, less so. Almost everything on our tax returns has been leaked multiple times at this point, perhaps excepting bank account details.

The only biometric information currently stored on the chips in US passports is the passport photo. And yes, it is stored in the digital ID as well (you can see it in the properties of the Wallet card).

 

[Rigby]

Not sure how, you need a passport to check-in anyway and for your bags. Everyone knows a ticket counter does a physical ID check.

These days check-in is often done in an app. And if you're enrolled in touchless precheck you can drop off checked luggage without showing your passport too. And in some cases digital IDs work at the gate when boarding. So yes, in certain circumstances it's entirely possible to board an international flight without ever showing your physical passport. The problems start when you arrive at your destination of course.

 

[contacos]

I am sure Germany will get something similar by like 2035 but of course it will require its own 💩 app including a 473818283847 steps of verifications to add and open it each time.

 

[cybercommand]

My passport was issued in 2018 but I can’t scan the RFID chip

 

[digitalfx]

Still doesn’t work

is your phone in a case? if not then somethings wrong with your passport or your phone

 

[digitalfx]

My passport was issued in 2018 but I can’t scan the RFID chip

what version iOS are you on??

 

[DaveTheRave]

When I tap on digital ID the icon just spins but nothing happens. No popups or instructions.

 

[technole]

These days check-in is often done in an app. And if you're enrolled in touchless precheck you can drop off checked luggage without showing your passport too. And in some cases digital IDs work at the gate when boarding. So yes, in certain circumstances it's entirely possible to board an international flight without ever showing your physical passport. The problems start when you arrive at your destination of course.

Nope, you still have to scan a physical ID at a Spirit or Alaska self-bag check-in machine and both fly passport-needed international destinations. Delta has the facial recognition to board but you still need the physical passport code swiped at check-in with the agent.

 

[Leigh-zed]

Unfortunately, I can see anything being called “Digital ID” being a hit in the UK with the push back of the government's attempts to force their own Digital ID on people. I know this is different, but people will make a connection in their heads.

 

[Trusteft]

So when you add them to your iPhone wallet, the physical items magically disappear?

That's what you understood that I said? *sigh*

 

[Trusteft]

Just about every phone out here has Biometric Verification, pin/password authentication, ‘Secure Enclave’ Chips, lost mode features, etc. There are several roadblocks to keep thieves from accessing it.

To me, I would say the modern smartphone is now more secure than a wallet that can be stolen or scanned through your pocket without any sort of confirmation/notification.

That was not my issue with it. That's ok. Have a nice day.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Just about every phone out here has Biometric Verification, pin/password authentication, ‘Secure Enclave’ Chips, lost mode features, etc. There are several roadblocks to keep thieves from accessing it.

To me, I would say the modern smartphone is now more secure than a wallet that can be stolen or scanned through your pocket without any sort of confirmation/notification.

A phone typically carries A LOT more information than a wallet. Passwords being a big one.

The only thing I carry in my wallet is my drivers license and a single credit card.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

I’m guessing the iPhone wallet version of a passport, or any other digital ID, does not work at airport kiosks for Global Entry, Nexus, Clear, etc.

If so, what’s the point?

 

[slippery-pete]

Not sure how, you need a passport to check-in anyway and for your bags. Everyone knows a ticket counter does a physical ID check.

I was being facetious in my post.

 

[slippery-pete]

It is deeply perplexing why tech bruhs, who invariably descibe themselves as "libertarian", would ever consider or promote handing your phone over the TSA, DHS, the cops and others.

Yeah, "handing" you phone over to someone is really not how it works.

 

[MareLuce]

The international terminal had an equipment malfunction. 400+ people queued up upstairs there. Agent walking down the line announcing "if you have global entry AND your card" take it out and you can pass.

Saved me hours..

👍

Did you show them a printout of the scan or a photo on your phone?