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Apple Delays iOS 26's New U.S. Passport Feature

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iOS 26 was widely released today, but the new feature that lets you add a digital version of your U.S. passport to Apple's Wallet app has been delayed.

ios-26-digital-id-passport-wallet.jpg

Apple updated its iOS 26 features page today to indicate that the "Digital ID" feature for U.S. passports will be coming in a later software update:
Digital ID will be available in a software update with U.S. passports only.
Click to expand...
Apple did not mention a specific version, but hopefully the feature arrives in iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2.

Until now, the feature had been listed on the iOS 26 page in the present tense.

After creating a Digital ID in the Wallet app, you will be able to present it in person at TSA checkpoints in select U.S. airports for identity verification purposes during domestic travel. However, Apple says it is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel and border crossing purposes.

Apple says the Digital ID feature is secure, private, and compliant with REAL ID.

It will also be possible to use the Digital ID feature for age and identity verification in apps, online, and in stores, according to Apple.

Article Link: Apple Delays iOS 26's New U.S. Passport Feature
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/09/15/apple-delays-ios-26-passport-feature/
DocMultimedia said:
Absolutely no way would I travel without a physical passport. The fun of traveling to a rural hotel in Croatia when they ask for your passport and you show your iphone. Really bad idea. Even an American airport would probably freak.
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That's not what this feature is intended for, and they're very clear about that.

"However, Apple says it is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel and border crossing purposes."
 
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mrgraff said:
As cool as it is to live in the future, I have yet to go through a TSA checkpoint that was equipped to scan my digital ID. YMMV
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I have, and it is kinda cool. I like the idea that it can’t get scanned by anything else and no one looks at my id. However the returning airport didn’t have it and if it was all I brought I would have been screwed.
 
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bailsafe said:
That's not what this feature is intended for, and they're very clear about that.

"However, Apple says it is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel and border crossing purposes."
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They've pushed the digital licences in multiple states and those have had issues along the same lines. Assuming all like technology is risky. I even carry a physical credit card with me for those that won't take digital. (Western Europe is stellar with it, America not as good)
 
my phone is already out so keeping my passport in the bag vs having to fumble with phone and passport works for me. would never not travel with it but not having to keep it out is a nice timesaver.
 
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Im not surprised this is delayed, possibly not coming until spring of next year like digital id’s did in iOS 15.4
 
DocMultimedia said:
They've pushed the digital licences in multiple states and those have had issues along the same lines. Assuming all like technology is risky. I even carry a physical credit card with me for those that won't take digital. (Western Europe is stellar with it, America not as good)
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Yeah, I haven't entirely replaced my wallet with Apple Pay yet, and I'm not necessarily eager to. The convenience is nice but 1) not every store accepts Apple Pay even today, and 2) I'll happily pay cash if the business offers a discount.

The digital license stuff is intriguing but so far from being a reality. Places like Taiwan are experimenting with fully-digital ID cards, though, so that might be worth keeping an eye on to see the practicality.
 
mrgraff said:
As cool as it is to live in the future, I have yet to go through a TSA checkpoint that was equipped to scan my digital ID. YMMV
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This!

I've been through many different airports that suppose to have "digital ID" scanner where you can use your state driver's license in Apple Wallet. NONE have worked.
 
yukari said:
This!

I've been through many different airports that suppose to have "digital ID" scanner where you can use your state driver's license in Apple Wallet. NONE have worked.
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I've been through two airports that had this ability. at the first one the guy said "it's broken, it hardly ever works..." bummer. Second airport, I tried to scan and after the second attempt...holding it wrong?...I gave up.

The idea is great since I have my phone with digital boarding pass so one less thing to keep in hand right before needing to then empty everything into containers to X-ray scan.
 
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My state allows digital IDs on phones. I have one, but I will never ever use it in front of law enforcement officers. It's a bad idea to hand over your iphone to any leo. For example, during a traffic stop, you hand over your iphone to a leo. He may access not only your ID but also your photos, emails, and instagram. Since you've voluntarily handed over and unlocked your phone, it may be legal for them view its contents. This applies to digital passports.

I will keep a digital passport in my phone just in case, but I will never use it.
 
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not sure if I care about this feature one way or another (esp as I'm waiting until next year to upgrade to '26'), but doesn't it seem like Apple is making a habit of over-promising features?
 
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yukari said:
This!

I've been through many different airports that suppose to have "digital ID" scanner where you can use your state driver's license in Apple Wallet. NONE have worked.
Click to expand...

And the number of times I've had a TSA or gate agent go "Look at you, Mr. Fancy!" when I show a boarding pass on my watch doesn't inspire confidence that things will change quickly. Nonetheless, progress is progress however slow.
 
Robert.Walter said:
This is how it was with Apple Pay in 2015. Now (except for evil Walmart) Apple Pay is ubiquitous.


Nothing of significant complexity is ever built in a day.
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yea, all the beginnings are hard, but with Apple Pay (or NFC) the industry, all those places that accept credit cards , was quickly in catching up and upgrading/updating their terminals - how quickly do you think the government (local, state, federal) will be? I am 99% sure that in 10 years from now the adoption rate will still be < 10% ...
 
Robert.Walter said:
Please read and inform yourself about how this works.
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SteveLV702 said:
Well you dont have to unlock your device to use is so there’s that :)
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You should read and inform yourself about the difference between an iPhone in BFU vs AFU states and how that might impact its vulnerability to state sponsored hacking tools like Cellebrite and Greykey.

An iPhone that has been unlocked since its last reboot is in a more vulnerable state then one that has not. Even if it has been subsequently locked again. Thus interacting with your phone at all in a high risk situation can make it more vulnerable.
 
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