Key Takeaways
• iOS 26 will allow U.S. passports to be added digitally to Apple Wallet for domestic identity verification.
• Over 250 TSA checkpoints will accept digital passports for domestic flights starting fall 2025.
• Digital passports require biometric authentication and encrypted storage; physical passports remain mandatory for international travel.
Apple’s iOS 26 update, announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC25) on June 9, 2025, is set to introduce a major change for U.S. 🇺🇸 travelers and anyone who needs to prove their identity domestically. For the first time, U.S. passport holders will be able to add a digital version of their passport to Apple Wallet on their iPhone or Apple Watch. This new feature aims to make identity verification easier and more secure for many everyday situations, especially for domestic travel and services that require proof of age or identity.
This move is part of Apple’s broader effort to create a digital ID ecosystem, making it possible for people to leave their physical wallets at home. But what does this mean for travelers, immigrants, and anyone who relies on their U.S. passport for identification? Let’s break down how the iOS 26 digital passport feature works, where it can be used, its security measures, and what it means for the future of digital identity.
What Is the iOS 26 Digital Passport Feature?
With iOS 26, U.S. 🇺🇸 passport holders can create a digital copy of their passport and store it securely in Apple Wallet. This is not just a photo or scan of the passport. Instead, the process uses the iPhone’s camera to scan the physical passport and then verifies the user’s identity using Face ID or Touch ID—Apple’s biometric authentication systems. This ensures that only the rightful owner can add and access the digital passport.
Key features include:
- Digital passport creation: Scan your physical U.S. passport using your iPhone’s camera.
- Biometric verification: Use Face ID or Touch ID to confirm your identity.
- Secure storage: The digital passport is encrypted and stored in Apple Wallet.
- User consent: Information is only shared when you approve it.
It’s important to understand that this digital passport is not a replacement for your physical passport. You’ll still need to carry your physical passport for international travel and border crossings. The digital version is designed for domestic use, making it easier to prove your identity in situations where you’d normally show your passport.
Where Can You Use Your Digital Passport?
The main use for the digital U.S. passport in Apple Wallet is for identity verification within the United States 🇺🇸. Apple has worked closely with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to make sure the digital passport can be used at TSA checkpoints for domestic flights.
Here’s where you can use your digital passport:
- TSA checkpoints: Over 250 TSA checkpoints across the United States 🇺🇸 will accept the digital passport for domestic travel.
- Age verification: Retailers that need to check your age, such as liquor stores or bars, can accept the digital passport.
- Hotel check-ins: Some hotels will allow you to use your digital passport to verify your identity when checking in.
- Car rentals: Car rental companies may accept the digital passport for identity verification.
To use the digital passport, you simply tap your iPhone or Apple Watch at a reader, similar to how you use Apple Pay. The system will ask for your approval before sharing any information, so you stay in control of your data.
How Does the Digital Passport Work?
The digital passport feature in iOS 26 uses international standards for digital identity. This helps ensure that the technology is secure and can work with other systems in the future.
Technical details:
- W3C Digital Credentials API: This is a set of rules that lets websites and apps request digital documents, like your passport, from your phone.
- ISO/IEC 18013-5 standard: This is an international standard for digital identity documents, making sure your digital passport can work with different systems and devices.
- ISO/IEC 18013-7 digital credential API: Apple supports this standard in its browsers and wallets, helping with secure sharing of digital IDs.
All the information in your digital passport is encrypted—which means it’s turned into a code that only your device can read. You must use Face ID or Touch ID to unlock and use your digital passport, adding another layer of security. Apple says that your information is only shared when you give permission, so you’re always in control.
Enhanced Travel Experience: Boarding Passes and More
iOS 26 doesn’t just bring digital passports to Apple Wallet. It also adds new features to make travel easier and less stressful.
New boarding pass features:
- Live Activities: Get real-time flight updates right on your lock screen, no matter which airline you’re flying.
- Shareable flight status: Easily share your flight status with friends and family so they know if you’re on time or delayed.
- Airport maps: Access terminal maps directly from your boarding pass, helping you find your gate or amenities.
- Luggage tracking: If you use AirTags in your luggage, you can track your bags and report missing items directly from Apple Wallet.
These updates mean that Apple Wallet is becoming a one-stop shop for all your travel needs—boarding passes, digital IDs, and even luggage tracking—all in one place.
Security and Privacy: How Safe Is Your Digital Passport?
Security is a top concern when it comes to digital identity. Apple has designed the digital passport system to protect your information at every step.
Key security features:
- Encryption: All data is encrypted on your device and when it’s shared.
- Biometric authentication: Only you can unlock and use your digital passport, thanks to Face ID or Touch ID.
- User consent: Your information is never shared without your approval.
- International standards: By following global standards, Apple helps ensure that your digital passport is recognized as secure by other organizations.
If your iPhone is lost or stolen, you can use Apple’s Find My service to lock your device and protect your digital passport. This gives you peace of mind that your identity is safe, even if your phone goes missing.
Who Benefits from the Digital Passport Feature?
The new digital passport feature in iOS 26 will affect several groups in different ways:
Travelers:
Domestic travelers in the United States 🇺🇸 will find it easier to move through TSA checkpoints. No more fumbling for your physical passport or ID—just tap your phone and go. This can save time and reduce stress, especially during busy travel seasons.
Immigrants and International Students:
Many immigrants and international students use their U.S. passport as their main form of identification. The digital passport makes it easier to prove identity for things like opening bank accounts, renting apartments, or checking into hotels. However, it’s important to remember that the digital passport is only for domestic use. For any international travel or immigration process, you’ll still need your physical passport.
Retailers and Service Providers:
Businesses that need to verify age or identity can use the digital passport system to speed up the process. This can help reduce wait times and improve customer service.
Government Agencies:
The TSA and other agencies benefit from faster, more secure identity checks. The digital system also reduces the risk of fake IDs, since biometric authentication is required.
What About International Travel?
Right now, the digital passport in Apple Wallet is not valid for international travel or border crossings. You must still carry your physical U.S. passport when leaving or entering the United States 🇺🇸. The digital version is mainly for domestic use, such as flying within the country or proving your age at a store.
Apple has said it is working with international travel hubs in Europe and Asia to expand the digital passport system. The goal is to make digital identity verification possible for international travel in the future, but this will take time and cooperation with governments and border agencies around the world.
How Does This Fit into the Bigger Picture of Digital IDs?
The digital passport is just one part of Apple’s growing digital ID platform. Apple Wallet already supports:
- Driver’s licenses and state IDs: Available in select U.S. states like Arizona, Maryland, and Georgia.
- Digital car keys: For supported car brands, you can unlock and start your car with your iPhone.
- Event tickets and transit cards: Store and use tickets for concerts, sports events, and public transportation.
- Other digital credentials: Apple Wallet is becoming a central place for all your important cards and documents.
This push toward digital IDs is part of a larger trend. More people want the convenience of carrying less, and companies like Apple are working to make digital versions of important documents as secure and accepted as physical ones.
When Will the Digital Passport Be Available?
The digital passport feature will launch with iOS 26, which is expected to be released in the fall of 2025. This will be the first time any country has officially allowed passports to be added to Apple Wallet. The rollout will start with U.S. passports for domestic use, with plans to expand internationally in the future.
If you want to learn more about the current status of digital IDs and passports, you can visit the official U.S. Department of State passport page for the latest information on passport requirements and updates.
What Are the Implications for Immigration and Identity Verification?
The introduction of digital passports in Apple Wallet could have a big impact on how people prove their identity in the United States 🇺🇸. For immigrants, international students, and anyone who relies on their passport for everyday identification, this feature offers a new level of convenience and security.
Potential benefits:
- Faster identity checks: No need to carry and present a physical passport for domestic flights or services.
- Improved security: Biometric authentication makes it harder for someone else to use your ID.
- Greater accessibility: People who may have trouble keeping track of physical documents can rely on their phone.
Possible challenges:
- Limited acceptance: Not all businesses or agencies may accept the digital passport right away.
- Technology barriers: Some people may not have the latest iPhone or may not be comfortable using digital IDs.
- Privacy concerns: Some users may worry about sharing personal information digitally, even with strong security measures.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the move to digital passports is part of a larger shift toward digital identity systems, which could eventually replace many physical documents. However, it’s important to remember that for now, the digital passport is only for domestic use and does not replace the need for a physical passport when traveling internationally.
What Should You Do to Prepare?
If you’re interested in using the digital passport feature in iOS 26, here are some steps you can take:
- Update your device: Make sure your iPhone or Apple Watch is compatible with iOS 26 and update to the latest version when it’s released.
- Check your passport: Make sure your physical U.S. passport is valid and in good condition, as you’ll need to scan it to create the digital version.
- Learn about Apple Wallet: Familiarize yourself with how Apple Wallet works, especially if you haven’t used it for digital IDs before.
- Stay informed: Watch for updates from Apple and the U.S. Department of State about where and how the digital passport can be used.
The Future of Digital Identity
Apple’s introduction of the digital U.S. passport in iOS 26 is a major step toward a future where people can use their phones for almost everything—including proving who they are. While the feature is starting with domestic use in the United States 🇺🇸, the groundwork is being laid for broader international acceptance in the years to come.
For now, the digital passport in Apple Wallet offers a more convenient, secure way to prove your identity for domestic travel and services. As technology and government policies continue to evolve, we can expect digital IDs to become even more common and widely accepted.
If you’re planning to use this new feature, remember to keep your physical passport safe and up to date, as it’s still required for international travel and many official processes. For more details on U.S. passports and digital ID developments, visit the U.S. Department of State’s official passport page.
As digital identity continues to grow, features like those in iOS 26 are likely to shape the way we travel, work, and live—making everyday tasks simpler, faster, and more secure.
Learn Today
Apple Wallet → A digital app on iPhone and Apple Watch that holds payment cards, IDs, tickets, and now digital passports.
Biometric authentication → Security process using Face ID or Touch ID to confirm a user’s identity via unique physical traits.
Digital passport → A secure, encrypted version of a U.S. passport stored digitally on Apple devices for domestic ID use.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) → U.S. government agency managing security at airports, approves digital passport acceptance at checkpoints.
Encryption → The process of converting data into code to prevent unauthorized access, protecting digital passport information.
This Article in a Nutshell
Apple’s iOS 26 introduces digital U.S. passports in Apple Wallet, enabling secure biometric verification at TSA checkpoints for domestic travel. This advancement enhances convenience and security but does not replace physical passports required for international journeys, marking a major step toward widespread digital identity adoption.
— By VisaVerge.com
