Apple Confirms iOS 26 Wallet Passport Feature is Coming in 2025

[MacRumors]

Digital ID, the iOS 26 feature that lets U.S. passport holders add their passports to the Wallet app, is coming later in 2025, Apple confirmed today.

Apple updated the release timing wording of Digital ID on its iOS 26 features page. "Digital ID will be coming later this year with US passports only," it reads.

Prior to today, the footnote for the feature said "Digital ID will be available in a software update with U.S. passports only," with no associated release timeline.

Curiously, Apple removed the mention of a software update, but in all likelihood, Digital ID will be introduced in an iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2 update before the end of the year. Apple has already seeded the first beta of iOS 26.1 to developers and Digital ID support is not included, but it could be added later in the beta testing period.

Digital ID builds on driver's license integration in the Wallet app. It allows U.S. iPhone users to add their passports to Wallet, with the digital passport able to be used in lieu of a physical passport for domestic travel at TSA checkpoints.

As with state driver's licenses and IDs, Digital IDs will work for age and identity verification in apps, retail store locations, and websites. The option to add a passport to Wallet for use as an ID option will expand digital identification features to many more ‌iPhone‌ users in the U.S., but Apple has not mentioned if the feature will eventually expand to other countries.

Article Link: Apple Confirms iOS 26 Wallet Passport Feature is Coming in 2025

 

[turbineseaplane]

I mean .. I guess?

I sure wouldn't go traveling internationally without my actual passport, though, so I'm not really sure what the point is.

Update:

Thank you to @gtmead09 for an informative reply down below.

This helps get around the slow uptake on State IDs into Apple Wallet

 

[Rachid Vàzquez]

As a non-American, I’m wondering what I’m missing: what’s the point of storing a passport in Wallet if only the U.S. currently accepts digital IDs on iPhone?

Not trolling, genuinely curious.
I’d love to see the system expand beyond the U.S.

 

[BuffaloTF]

I mean .. I guess?

I sure wouldn't go traveling internationally without my actual passport, though, so I'm not really sure what the point is.

Nor would you be able to travel internationally without it…


What the point is, though, is very clearly provided - “the digital passport able to be used in lieu of a physical passport for domestic travel at TSA checkpoints.”

 

[jz0309]

Nor would you be able to travel internationally without it…


What the point is, though, is very clearly provided - “the digital passport able to be used in lieu of a physical passport for domestic travel at selected TSA checkpoints.”

made an edit to your post, should have been in the article ...
Very few TSA checkpoints accept digital IDs at this point ...

 

[Rachid Vàzquez]

Nor would you be able to travel internationally without it…


What the point is, though, is very clearly provided - “the digital passport able to be used in lieu of a physical passport for domestic travel at TSA checkpoints.”

Do you need your passport to travel between states ? U.S. regular ID’s is not enough ?

 

[gtmead09]

I mean .. I guess?

I sure wouldn't go traveling internationally without my actual passport, though, so I'm not really sure what the point is.

This is going to be more then a passport bigger picture. Yes you can use it at airport check points as they roll out to validate who you are. But I could also see other uses such as websites that need age verification online. Shipt when you order alcohol and they have to get your ID at the door.

Part of this is to work around the extremely slow adoption of driver licenses in Apple Wallet. It's been multiple years and they have like 10-15 states signed up. This works around the states by going to the Federal level and giving you a virtual ID.

 

[turbineseaplane]

This is going to be more then a passport bigger picture. Yes you can use it at airport check points as they roll out to validate who you are. But I could also see other uses such as websites that need age verification online. Shipt when you order alcohol and they have to get your ID at the door.

Part of this is to work around the extremely slow adoption of driver licenses in Apple Wallet. It's been multiple years and they have like 10-15 states signed up. This works around the states by going to the Federal level.

Gotcha .. that makes sense.
Updated my post above - thank you! 🙏

 

[Agent007]

In b4 "You should specify the US in the headline! The US isn't the whole world!"

 

[matthew12]

Do you need your passport to travel between states ? U.S. regular ID’s is not enough ?

You only need a passport or verified "REAL ID" ID Card (such as a driver's license with REAL ID) to fly in airports and access certain government buildings like most federal facilities, military bases, and other similarly secure locations. If you're driving between states (and in general), a normal driver's license is all that's required. No one checks your license between states unless you run into, say, a speed/drinking trap.

 

[rman0726]

I mean .. I guess?

I sure wouldn't go traveling internationally without my actual passport, though, so I'm not really sure what the point is.

You would still need a physical passport for international travel. However, this could be used as a digital ID at an airport for a domestic flight. Or to prove your age at a liquor store or similar places.

I think it is slightly move convenient to not have to take your ID out of your wallet. Also while I still wouldn’t travel without a physical ID, as an Apple Wallet user, I would likely relegate my ID to a wallet in my backpack instead of taking up one of the few card slots.

 

[LordArchie]

This is years away from actual real world, wide spread use. I fly 20 times a year, internationally, often with domestic stops. LAX has never had their Drivers license readers (RealID) working. Also in places like DFW and starting no at LAX, they are doing Touchless TSA where it's all facial recognition. Same way it works when I enter the country with Global Entry, no passport or wallet ID scan, all facial recognition.

I would like it to "be a thing" but until everyone gets on the same page, it won't happen

 

[turbineseaplane]

You would still need a physical passport for international travel. However, this could be used as a digital ID at an airport for a domestic flight. Or to prove your age at a liquor store or similar places.

I think it is slightly move convenient to not have to take your ID out of your wallet. Also while I still wouldn’t travel without a physical ID, but as an Apple Wallet user, I would probably relegate my ID to a wallet in my backpack instead of taking up one of the few card slots.

Correct - I updated my post as you were replying most likely.
Cheers 👍

 

[rotax]

Digital ID's on devices that have your location 24x7 and digital money that captures every transaction on the same device? I mean, what could go wrong? But but but... the convenience? Hard pass

 

[Ctrlos]

No word on the UK?! Google Wallet already supports them….

 

[apparatchik]

A Passport is a Federal / National form of ID and proof of citizenship regardless if one travels or not, as mentioned above this helps speed up digital ID adoption, despite how slow things move, there will be a future where digital ID's will be accepted universally, it has to start somewhere.

Current biometric passports around the world already allow self checkouts / check-ins at some points of entry, etc.

 

[jbc25]

Chat, is this a good idea or no?

 

[rman0726]

This is years away from actual real world, wide spread use. I fly 20 times a year, internationally, often with domestic stops. LAX has never had their Drivers license readers (RealID) working. Also in places like DFW and starting no at LAX, they are doing Touchless TSA where it's all facial recognition. Same way it works when I enter the country with Global Entry, no passport or wallet ID scan, all facial recognition.

I would like it to "be a thing" but until everyone gets on the same page, it won't happen

But you have to start somewhere. It took a long time for Apple Pay/Google Wallet to truly take off, but now, you just about never need a physical credit card at all. Sit down restaurants are one of the last places I ever need one, and even many of them are slowly transitioning to the portable PoS units.

Ideally, I’d like to eventually get rid of my wallet entirely and this is just one step closer to that reality. Once US passports are added, other countries will likely add support as well, and one day we will likely be able to travel internationally with a digital passport as well if we choose.

 

[Prof. Alsvanouds]

Great. Another US-only Apple feature

 

[patmondal]

as long as it's not like the on device siri, Apple Intelligence from last year

 

[warrentotheg]

As a non-American, I’m wondering what I’m missing: what’s the point of storing a passport in Wallet if only the U.S. currently accepts digital IDs on iPhone?

Not trolling, genuinely curious.
I’d love to see the system expand beyond the U.S.

It is to acclimate people to the coming digital ID, digital dollar and social credit score. "You will own nothing and be happy."

 

[DogHouseDub]

Great as an emergency backup to a physical passport when traveling internationally. Handing my unlocked phone to the immigration brown shirts, on the other hand, is...

 

[257Loner]

So if we upgrade to the worst user interface redesign iOS has ever had, we might get the ability to store our passports in our digital wallets later this year?

Hard pass. For the first time ever, I've turned off Automatic Updates to avoid Liquid Glass.

 

[TJFDenver]

So if we upgrade to the worst user interface redesign iOS has ever had, we might get the ability to store our passports in our digital wallets later this year?

Hard pass. For the first time ever, I've turned off Automatic Updates to avoid Liquid Glass.

A “bug” will auto upgrade you to the latest, fo shizzle

 

[jaytv111]

Great as an emergency backup to a physical passport when traveling internationally.

Let me stop you right there. Digital ID will not be accepted when traveling through international checkpoints. It will only be accepted when going through the TSA checkpoint at check in, and in only a few airports nationwide, and sometimes the readers aren't working or the agent just simply asks for your physical ID at their discretion. The TSA says you must have your physical ID with you even when using digital ID. And again, cannot be used for international travel (ie going through actual customs). So you need that passport still, unless it's a domestic flight, in which case you need some acceptable photo ID card (realID compliant) even when using digital ID.

Handing my unlocked phone to the immigration brown shirts, on the other hand, is...

Fortunately, the tech here does not have you hand your phone over to anyone, when it is accepted. You scan it like Apple Pay at a terminal.