Apple has officially launched its Digital ID, a new feature that lets users create a verified identity in Apple Wallet using their U.S. passport.
The rollout begins in beta across major U.S. airports, marking a major leap toward replacing traditional IDs with digital ones.
What Is Apple Digital ID?
Apple’s new Digital ID allows users to verify their identity directly through their iPhone or Apple Watch. Built into Apple Wallet, it enables users to present their credentials securely at TSA checkpoints without pulling out a physical ID.
The feature uses information from a U.S. passport, making it accessible even to those without a REAL ID-compliant license. While not yet a replacement for passports during international travel, the move highlights Apple’s growing push toward a digital-first identity ecosystem.
How it works
Setting up the Digital ID is designed to be simple and secure. Users:
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Scan their passport’s photo page and embedded chip.
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Take a selfie for verification.
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Perform a brief facial movement check using their iPhone camera.
Once verified, a Digital ID appears in Apple Wallet. Users can present it at airport checkpoints by simply authenticating with Face ID or Touch ID, without ever handing over their device.
Privacy and security first
Apple emphasizes that privacy is central to Digital ID. The company says:
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All passport data is stored locally on the device.
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Information is end-to-end encrypted.
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Apple cannot track when or where a user presents their ID.
Before sharing, users can review requested information and must approve each use through biometric authentication, ensuring full control over what’s shared and when.
Where it’s available
The beta rollout begins across more than 250 TSA checkpoints at airports across the United States. Travellers can use Digital ID for domestic flights, streamlining airport security while keeping personal data protected.
Apple notes that Digital ID cannot yet be used for international travel or border crossings, but the feature’s introduction marks the beginning of a broader digital identity framework.
Apple plans to expand Digital ID to businesses and online services, enabling users to verify their age and identity for apps, stores, and digital transactions.
This expansion could eventually eliminate the need to carry physical documents, allowing seamless, biometric-based verification across multiple platforms.
