Apple is taking another big step toward replacing what’s in your wallet, this time quite literally.
The company has officially unveiled Digital ID, a new way for users to create a verified ID in Apple Wallet using information from their U.S. passport, and then present it securely with an iPhone or Apple Watch.
The rollout starts in beta across TSA checkpoints at more than 250 U.S. airports, letting travellers verify their identity for domestic flights without pulling out a physical ID.
It’s not a passport replacement yet, and Apple stresses that it can’t be used for international travel or border crossings, but it does show what the future of digital identity could look like.
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Apple says Digital ID builds on the same technology behind adding driver’s licenses and state IDs to Wallet, a feature that first launched in 2022. The key difference is that now, anyone with a U.S. passport can create one, even if they don’t have a REAL ID-compliant license.
Setting it up is fairly simple: users scan their passport’s photo page and embedded chip, take a selfie, and complete a brief facial movement verification using their iPhone. Once approved, the verified Digital ID appears in Wallet and can be used with a quick Face ID or Touch ID check – no need to hand your phone to anyone.
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Privacy remains at the core. Apple says passport data is stored only on the device, encrypted end-to-end, and that the company itself can’t see when or where users present their ID. Before sharing, users can review exactly which pieces of information are being requested and must approve each use with biometrics.
Looking ahead, Apple plans to expand Digital ID to more businesses and online services, including age and identity verification in apps and stores.
For now, it’s still early days, but with Apple’s Digital ID, we might be watching the start of something bigger: a secure, and privacy-first passport for the digital era.
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