Apple has introduced a digital ID in their wallet, embedding as much security and privacy as the iPhone or Apple Watch.
Syncing the user’s personal data from their U.S. passport, the digital ID will be optimised for face-to-face identity verification during domestic travel at TSA checkpoints across 250+ U.S. airports. The rollout will begin in beta with additional digital ID use cases to come in the future.
REAL ID requirements enforced acceptable forms of IDs this year, however, Apple provides an alternative way to create an ID in the wallet for those that still do not have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s licence or state ID.
The physical passport is still the gold standard and digital ID can not be used for international travel and border crossing in lieu of a U.S. passport.
Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, said in 2022 driver’s licences or state ID, compliant with REAL ID, were added to Apple Wallet. They can now add another ID to the Apple Wallet using information from their U.S. passport, which will enhance secure and convenient services for the user for travel and beyond.
If users do not have a U.S. passport to create their Digital ID, they can still add an eligible driver’s silence to Apple Wallet.
To create a Digital ID, users scan the photo page of their U.S. passport and read the chip embedded in the passport using their iPhone. The system then verifies the data’s authenticity through a selfie and a short series of head movements, ensuring the ID matches the device owner. Once verified, the Digital ID is securely stored in Apple Wallet.
Unlike physical IDs, Apple says users retain full control over when and what data they share. The feature uses on-device encryption and biometric authentication through Face ID or Touch ID. The company emphasised that Apple cannot see when or where the ID is used, underscoring its ongoing privacy-first branding.
The new feature is particularly useful for users who do not have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID, as REAL ID enforcement deadlines have repeatedly been delayed by the federal government.
Digital ID builds on Apple’s earlier initiative allowing users to store driver’s licenses and state IDs in Wallet, currently supported in 12 states and Puerto Rico. Internationally, Japan recently adopted similar support with its My Number Card system.
