Apple Launches Digital ID for U.S. Passport Holders in Wallet at Over 250 Airports

Apple has officially introduced its Digital ID feature for U.S. passport holders within Apple Wallet. As of November 12, 2025, iPhone and Apple Watch users can now present digital passport credentials at TSA checkpoints for domestic flights across more than 250 U.S. airports nationwide. This significant development aims to streamline the airport security process for eligible travelers.

Core Functionality and Security Protocols

The new Digital ID feature is supported on the latest iPhone and Apple Watch models, provided they are running iOS 26 and associated watchOS updates. Users can add their U.S. passport to Apple Wallet and then authenticate their identity using Face ID or Touch ID at designated TSA checkpoints. The system leverages Near Field Communication (NFC) and secure protocols, transmitting only the necessary credentials required for verification. Crucially, this process does not unlock the entire device or expose other personal data stored on the user's iPhone or Apple Watch.

Security measures are robust. Credentials are encrypted and stored within the device’s Secure Enclave, a dedicated hardware security architecture designed to protect sensitive information. Apple maintains that it cannot access or track when, where, or what data is shared, with data transmission explicitly requiring biometric authentication from the user. Expert reviews from publications like Six Colors and TechCrunch have highlighted this privacy-centric design, calling the approach a "gold standard" for privacy-preserving identity.

Scope, Limitations, and Future Expansion

While a major step, Apple’s Digital ID feature currently has specific limitations. It is valid exclusively for domestic travel within the United States and cannot be used for international border crossings or as a standalone replacement for a physical passport. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continues to advise travelers to carry a physical ID as a backup, acknowledging potential variations in checkpoint infrastructure readiness across the more than 250 supporting airports. This initial rollout was previewed at WWDC in June 2025 and experienced a delay from the initial iOS 26 release.

Looking ahead, Apple has articulated plans to expand the utility of Digital ID. The company aims to extend its use for age verification and other identity checks at various businesses and organizations, both in-person and online. The current implementation supports emerging standards such as the W3C Digital Credentials API, which could facilitate future cross-platform identity solutions. The broader context for this innovation includes the substantial challenge of identity fraud, which incurs over $500 billion annually in the U.S., with deepfake fraud attempts projected to occur every five minutes by late 2025. Such statistics underscore the critical need for advanced biometric and cryptographic defenses in digital identity systems.

Market Reception and Privacy Concerns

Travelers and tech reviewers have largely praised the Digital ID for its potential to reduce friction at TSA checkpoints, particularly following the May 2025 REAL ID enforcement deadline. However, the expansion of digital identity checks has also prompted caution from privacy advocates. Groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation and other civil liberties organizations have voiced concerns about potential surveillance and risks associated with data aggregation and tracking, should digital ID use extend significantly beyond airport environments. This contrasts with some state-issued digital driver's licenses, which have faced slower adoption and fragmented state support, as Apple's passport-based Digital ID benefits from broader federal acceptance for domestic air travel.