Apple Wallet gets US passport support (for TSA, not customs)

Many iPhone users already know that you can store a state-issued driver’s license or ID card in Apple Wallet if you live in a participating state. For many people, this has made airport travel easier and has reduced the amount of sensitive information they need to show at places like bars or clubs. As of right now, this includes:

• Arizona

• California

• Colorado

• Georgia

• Hawaii

• Illinois

• Iowa

• Maryland

• Montana

• New Mexico

• North Dakota

• Ohio

• Puerto Rico

• West Virginia

• Japan

Apple has taken the next step. You can now add your United States Passport to Apple Wallet. This will be a welcome feature for people who live in states that have not yet adopted Digital ID, or if you do not yet have a Real ID-compliant license.

What Apple Wallet ID is not

There are several limitations to be aware of, though I suspect these may diminish or disappear over the next several years:

• A passport in Apple Wallet cannot be used for customs or border crossings. It is specifically for use at TSA checkpoints or for cases where a vendor needs to verify your age.

• A driver’s license in Apple Wallet cannot be used to prove you are permitted to drive. Police generally do not carry devices that can read digital IDs, so if you’re behind the wheel, you must still carry your physical license.

• Most businesses still require a physical ID unless they have a scanner or an app that can verify a digital ID. Maryland, for example, offers an app for retailers that allows them to check digital IDs, but it is not yet widely adopted, and it’s unclear to me whether it can legally be used by merchants outside of Maryland.

• Having a Digital ID carries no guarantee of acceptance at TSA checkpoints. You should not purposely leave your physical ID behind, as this is a new technology, and there may be technology glitches or places where it is not supported. If you are arriving at an airport without a physical Real ID or passport, you should build in extra time for additional security checks.

How digital ID works

Digital ID does not work the same way as a plastic license: you never hand your iPhone to someone else. Instead, you hold your iPhone near a compatible reader—much like Apple Pay. Your screen will show you exactly which pieces of information the reader is requesting, and you confirm the request by double-clicking the side button to authenticate with Face ID.

You must explicitly approve every information request before anything is shared, which helps prevent accidental or unwanted data access.

This means no one can scroll through your phone, and you never give up control of your device.

Why I recommend setting up Digital ID

Setting it up now ensures you're prepared long before you actually need it, which offers peace of mind for anyone who likes to plan ahead.

There are two major reasons I suggest setting it up if your state or passport supports it:

1: It protects your privacy

A traditional ID shows everything: your full name, birthdate, height, eye color, and your home address. Often, only one or two of those details are actually needed. Digital ID allows businesses and agencies to request only what’s required. For example, a bar might only request verification that you’re over 21 instead of your full address.

Some services, such as Uber Eats, even support digital ID for age checks on alcohol deliveries. This avoids the problem of a delivery driver photographing your entire physical license in what you hope is a legitimate app.

2: It gives you a backup when traveling

Losing your wallet is stressful enough. Losing your ID while trying to fly home can turn into a real nightmare. A digital ID provides a fallback that allows you to get through TSA security with far less friction.

How to add your US Passport to Apple Wallet

You’ll need to be running iOS 26.1. Once you’re up to date, the setup takes only a few minutes:

1. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.

2. Tap the + button in the upper right.

3. Choose Driver’s License and ID Cards, then Digital ID.

4. Follow the on-screen steps to scan your passport and take a few selfies to verify your identity.

Once approved (generally within minutes), your passport will appear in Wallet on your iPhone and any paired Apple Watch.

Your digital ID does not transfer when upgrading to a new iPhone. It isn’t part of an iCloud backup for security reasons, so you’ll need to repeat the setup if you get a new device or erase your iPhone.

Final thoughts

Digital ID is still in its early stages, but support is expanding quickly. This is not an Apple-proprietary feature; it’s ISO 18013-5, which means that Google, Samsung, and others support it as well. Over the next few years, more states are expected to come on board as digital identification becomes a standard part of everyday travel and identity verification. Apple’s addition of US Passport support is a major step forward, allowing the majority of Americans to use some form of Digital ID.