Your smartphone is about to become even more essential for travel. Apple has announced that users can now digitize their passports and eligible driver's licenses directly in their Apple Wallets, joining Google in the race to replace physical identification documents.
The New Era of Digital Identification
This development represents the latest expansion of Apple's Digital ID feature, which the technology giant initially launched in early November. More than 250 TSA checkpoints across the United States will now accept these digitized travel documents for domestic flights at select airports.
The service is currently available to residents of twelve states and one territory: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico. Google already offers similar functionality through Google Wallet in at least eleven states.
How Digital Passport Verification Works
The setup process for both Apple and Android devices involves multiple security steps. iPhone users must scan the photo page of their physical passport, capture the security chip on the back, and take a selfie. They then complete facial and head movements during the verification process. Once approved, the digital ID appears in their Apple Wallet.
Android users follow a similar procedure, scanning both the passport photo page and security chip while completing a face scan. Google claims the entire identity verification process typically takes just a few minutes.
Convenience Versus Privacy Concerns
While the technology offers obvious convenience benefits, particularly for travelers who frequently forget physical IDs, security experts are urging caution. David Huerta, senior digital security trainer at Freedom of the Press Foundation, points out a fundamental limitation: "At least to travel internationally, you still have to bring a real passport anyway. That's the only reason I need to bring a passport, so it's kind of pointless in my mind."
The TSA itself emphasizes that travelers should always carry physical identification, noting that digital IDs cannot be used for international flights.
Privacy concerns represent another significant consideration. Under the Trump administration, border device searches increased dramatically, with Customs and Border Protection reporting more than 14,000 device searches from April through June 2025—a nearly 17% spike over the previous high in 2022.
Huerta recommends keeping electronics turned off during security checks and relying on physical documentation instead. "I think having that physical documentation may be the better way to go during a TSA checkpoint," he said, noting this makes it harder for border agents to access your phone without permission.
The Future of Digital Verification
Apple envisions a world where digital IDs extend far beyond airport security. The company states on its website: "In the future, users will be able to present their digital ID at additional select businesses and organizations for identity and age verification in person, in apps, and online."
This expansion worries privacy advocates. Alexis Hancock, director of engineering at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, warns: "This presents scope creep as convenience and overshadows how vastly different the internet would be if websites and apps were empowered to ask for ID. I can't recommend usage online until regulators solidify protections and privacy for people who may use it in that context."
The trend toward digital age verification is already appearing across the internet, from adult websites to search engines and even popular games like Roblox. Thorin Klosowski, a security and privacy activist for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, cautions that the types of content requiring age verification could expand unpredictably depending on who holds political power.
While adding your passport to your phone offers undeniable convenience, it's not a neutral choice. As digital identification becomes more widespread, users should carefully consider both the immediate benefits and potential long-term privacy implications.
