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Should I Worry About the Hidden Dangers of Using Apple’s Digital ID at the Airport?
You can now keep a digital copy of your U.S. passport or state driver’s license on your iPhone or Apple Watch. This feature is called Digital ID and lives inside your Apple Wallet. It offers a convenient and private way to show your identity in person.
This is not a replacement for your physical passport. You cannot use the Digital ID for crossing borders or for international travel. Its main purpose right now is to speed up identity checks at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security lines within U.S. airports. Apple is slowly making this available at over 250 airports.
How to Add Your ID to Apple Wallet
Adding your passport or license is a secure, one-time process. Your iPhone guides you through each step to make sure it is really you.
- Open the Wallet app and tap the plus (+) button.
- Select Driver’s License or State ID, or choose Passport.
- Scan your document. For a passport, you will scan the photo page. Your iPhone will then read the electronic chip inside the passport cover.
- Verify your identity. You will need to take a selfie. The app will also ask you to move your head and face in certain ways to prove you are a live person.
After you finish these steps, your Digital ID is safely stored on your device.
Using Your Digital ID at the Airport
When you get to a TSA checkpoint, the process is simple and contactless.
- Double-press the side button on your iPhone to open your Apple Wallet.
- Hold your phone near the TSA’s card reader.
- Your iPhone will show you exactly what information the TSA is asking for.
- To approve the request, you will authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
You do not need to unlock your phone or hand it to a TSA agent. This keeps your device and your information secure in your hands.
Where is it Available?
The option to add a U.S. passport is available nationwide. However, only certain states currently allow you to add a driver’s license or state ID to your Apple Wallet.
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Montana
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Puerto Rico
- West Virginia
Apple plans to add more states and find new uses for the Digital ID, such as for age verification at stores or venues. The system is designed to only share the information that is needed, like confirming you are over 21, without revealing your birth date or address. This focus on privacy aims to prevent the data leaks seen with other verification systems.