iOS 26 Will Let You Add Your U.S. Passport to Wallet for Identity Verification

[MacRumors]

In iOS 26, Apple is implementing a new Digital ID feature that builds on integration for Driver's Licenses in the Wallet app. Starting this fall, Apple Wallet will allow iPhone users to add a U.S. passport that can be used in lieu of a physical passport for domestic travel.

The Digital ID can be stored on the iPhone or the Apple Watch, and it can be used at select TSA checkpoints throughout the United States. It is Real ID compliant, as a passport can be presented instead of a Real ID when traveling.

Digital IDs do not replace physical passports, and Apple warns that they cannot be used for international travel or border crossings. In these situations, a physical passport will be required, but for domestic travel, iPhone users won't need to pull out a passport and can instead pass through TSA checkpoints quicker.

As with state driver's licenses and IDs, Digital IDs will work for age and identity verification in apps, retail store locations, and new in iOS 26, 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.

U.S. states and territories have been slowly rolling out support for IDs in the Wallet app, but it is still limited to Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio, and Puerto Rico.

Apple is adding other travel-friendly features to the Wallet app. There's an overhauled boarding pass experience that provides users with a Live Activity overview of their flight and real-time updates. Boarding passes also offer options to go to Maps for an airport overview, and Find My for tracking luggage.

Apple is partnering with airlines to implement the updated boarding passes, and these airlines will be the first to support the feature: Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Jetstar, Lufthansa Group, Qantas, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Australia.

Article Link: iOS 26 Will Let You Add Your U.S. Passport to Wallet for Identity Verification

 

[xhArRiSoNxD]

This is a great way to get around waiting on individual states.

 

[Macalway]

" At select TSA checkpoints"

Funny. You rely on this alone folks, don't expect the airline to reimburse your ticket. But it's a good idea for convenience.

 

[Böhme417]

" At select TSA checkpoints"

Funny. You rely on this alone folks, don't expect the airline to reimburse your ticket. But it's a good idea for convenience.

Huh? Reimburse your ticket for what?

 

[Rayansb]

One of the perks of being American is you get these goodies! So jealous rn

 

[tennisproha]

This is welcome news! Especially since states are dragging their feet

 

[Finalcountdown]

As awesome as this and digital state driver licenses are, there is 0 chance I am willingly handing over my entire phone to any authority!

Edit: see later posts.

 

[jz0309]

Sure a step in the right direction, I just would not rely on it for travel.
I had to have a document notarized a couple weeks ago, I asked the notary public if I had a digital ID, would they accept it? The answer was no. This was at a UPS store in CA … long ways to go

 

[mattopotamus]

Probably one of the few paper items I still enjoy carrying when traveling, a passport.

 

[dontwalkhand]

As awesome as this and digital state driver licenses are, there is 0 chance I am willingly handing over my entire phone to any authority!

It only took a few posts before someone posts this misinformation…yet…..again.

 

[ZMacintosh]

One of the perks of being American is you get these goodies! So jealous rn

It's a great concept, though we were late on the tap to pay and chip reader, this is also still half baked and inconsistent across states and airports. Bureaucracy

 

[dontwalkhand]

Probably one of the few paper items I still enjoy carrying when traveling, a passport.

Who doesn’t like collecting passport stamps? But with domestic travel you don’t get any anyway, so this is nice.

 

[ZMacintosh]

As awesome as this and digital state driver licenses are, there is 0 chance I am willingly handing over my entire phone to any authority!

since when do you have to hand your phone over?

Sure a step in the right direction, I just would not rely on it for travel.
I had to have a document notarized a couple weeks ago, I asked the notary public if I had a digital ID, would they accept it? The answer was no. This was at a UPS store in CA … long ways to go

this is the inconsistencies and also laziness of franchise owners that dont understand how to utilize these. they re still government issued and approved methods of verification.

 

[aloysiusfreeman]

In light of the US government doing whatever they can to find reasons to detain you while at customs, this seems like great risk to consider

 

[jaytv111]

As awesome as this and digital state driver licenses are, there is 0 chance I am willingly handing over my entire phone to any authority!

This is like saying "As awesome as Apple Pay is, there is 0 chance I am willingly handing over my entire phone to any cashier!"

 

[al256]

In light of the US government doing whatever they can to find reasons to detain you while at customs, this seems like great risk to consider

This is for domestic travel only

 

[jz0309]

this is the inconsistencies and also laziness of franchise owners that dont understand how to utilize these. they re still government issued and approved methods of verification.

Well, have the state or federal governments issued “orders” (or whatever those might be called) that digital IDs are now to be accepted in lieu of physical ones? I don’t think so but proof me wrong. Why would any franchise be proactive on this? What’s in it for them other than bragging rights?

 

[flexwithmarius]

Huh? Reimburse your ticket for what?

If you aren’t able to get thru security, refund your airfare.

 

[FoxyKaye]

In light of the US government doing whatever they can to find reasons to detain you while at customs, this seems like great risk to consider

Yeah… Admiral Ackbar immediately popped into my head saying, “It’s a trap!” When I read this.

Though if it has similar utility as the digital CA Driver’s License I used and deleted (read: zero), then I wouldn’t bother in the first place.

 

[Macalway]

If you aren’t able to get thru security, refund your airfare.

Right. This method is really only good as a way to keep your ID in bag or pocket.

 

[BreuerEditor]

Starting this fall, Apple Wallet will allow iPhone users to add a U.S. passport that can be used in lieu of a physical passport for domestic travel.

I thought the Keynote said "it's not a replacement for your physical passport". Does that mean that you might still need it? Direct link to that note:

 

[Macalway]

I thought the Keynote said "it's not a replacement for your physical passport". Does that mean that you might still need it? Direct link to that note:

What?

Nothings changed, you need your ID/Passport, but they might also accept the phone image (maybe). It's not going to be like shopping.

 

[jaytv111]

I thought the Keynote said "it's not a replacement for your physical passport". Does that mean that you might still need it? Direct link to that note:

Here's how to think about it: You can use it to check into TSA checkpoints at select airports (and even then, sometimes you can't, machines not working, or TSA Pre only and you aren't on TSA Pre, or the agent just yells at you to show your ID card).

You can't use it for customs at all. You can't enter or exit any country with it. You can't even use it where you can use passport cards (a separate thing you can get that lets you pass certain border checkpoints, but not for use in international air travel). They don't accept it, yet, for anything besides TSA.

It's a way of delivering national ID in Apple Wallet. But it's not a replacement for a physical passport.

Reminder: if you are doing any international travel, you need a passport. You can optionally use a passport for domestic travel, especially if you don't have a RealID card and RealID is now required for domestic air travel.

 

[DavidLeblond]

I'd love this. I always have my ID on me, but I have one of those slim wallets where you have to pry it out of there so this would hopefully alleviate that.

 

[whirlpoolbread]

If you aren’t able to get thru security, refund your airfare.

You don't need an ID to fly domestically. You will have to provide more information (name, address) and go through extra-security, but an ID is not required. I lost my drivers license at the airport (dropped it between checkin and bag check) and I still got to fly.

I forgot my identification; can I still proceed through security screening? | Transportation Security Administration

In the event you arrive at the airport without acceptable identification (whether lost, stolen, or otherwise), you may still be allowed to fly. By providing additional information, TSA has other ways to confirm your identity so you can reach your flight. If your identity cannot be verified, you...

www.tsa.gov