TSA 2025 Security Updates: Shoes-Removal Ends, Liquids Eased

(UNITED STATES) The Transportation Security Administration has ended routine shoe removal at airport checkpoints nationwide, marking the most visible change to U.S. security rules in nearly two decades. The shift, effective July 8, 2025, follows upgrades in screening technology and a broader push by the Department of Homeland Security to speed travel without lowering safety. Officials also confirmed that while liquid limits are under review and certain exemptions have expanded, the core 3-1-1 standard still applies for most items. And despite social media chatter, there is no official $25 discount tied to the new TSA measures. DHS leaders say the changes will roll out in phases as equipment arrives at airports across the country.

What changed: shoe removal and screening tech

Ending the shoe removal policy brings a clear everyday improvement for travelers. TSA officers no longer ask passengers to take off footwear as a default step, a rule that had been in place since 2006.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem framed the move as a technology milestone: modern scanners can detect threats inside footwear without slowing the line. Airports with older lanes may take time to fully switch over, but the national policy is set.

Security experts say the upgrade matches a broader global trend, where machine learning and advanced imaging reduce manual steps while maintaining high detection standards.

Liquids: easing, not elimination

Liquid rules are the next major frontier. For now, most passengers should continue following the 3-1-1 rule:

• 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less per container
• All containers placed in a single quart-size bag

The Department has added more exemptions for medical and infant items and is testing wider changes as computed tomography (CT) systems spread to more checkpoints. CT scanners create detailed 3D images of bags, helping officers differentiate harmless items from suspicious ones.

Important points:

• The government has not set a date to end 3-1-1 entirely.
• Travelers should pack liquids carefully and be prepared to present exempted items when asked.
• There are now 11 exemptions for medical needs, infant nourishment, and certain medical gels.

Identity checks, facial recognition, and automation

Facial recognition and automated entry points are expanding. At lanes with the newest systems, a traveler scans a boarding pass and looks at a camera; if the match succeeds, automated doors or turnstiles open and the traveler proceeds.

TSA emphasizes:

• Identity verification remains mandatory.
• Officers can assist or revert to standard manual checks when needed.
• Privacy groups demand clear notices, strong data safeguards, and a reliable opt-out path.
• The agency continues to provide human screening and manual ID checks.

Family-friendly changes

A change aimed at helping parents is the rollout of dedicated family lanes under the “Families on the Fly” campaign. These lanes:

• Provide space for strollers, diaper bags, and child carriers
• Allow more time for children under 12 to move through without pressure
• Help standard lanes flow more smoothly by reducing bottlenecks

Combined with the end of routine shoe removal, these lanes can make security less frantic for families.

REAL ID and ID verification tech

REAL ID enforcement is fully active for domestic flights. As of May 7, 2025, adults must present a REAL ID–compliant driver’s license or an acceptable alternative (passport or federal/military ID) at the TSA ID check.

Notes and cautions:

• Some airports accept approved mobile driver’s licenses stored in digital wallets, but not all states/airports support this yet. If you plan to rely on a mobile ID, confirm support with your departure airport in advance.
• International visitors flying within the U.S. should carry a passport as an acceptable ID.
• Analysis by VisaVerge.com shows REAL ID issues are a common reason for last-minute delays in 2025.

To support ID checks, TSA is installing CAT-2 (Credential Authentication Technology) units across the network. These devices verify IDs faster and more accurately, reducing document handling and aiming to shorten lines.

Debunking the $25 rumor

Rumors about a “$25 discount” tied to the new security rules are unfounded. There is no TSA policy offering a cash incentive because of the shoe removal change or other updates.

• Any $25 offers likely originate from airlines, credit card companies, or third-party services—not from federal screening policy.
• If you see a discount claim using the TSA name or logo, treat it with caution and verify details on the agency’s official site.

Policy changes overview

• Shoe removal ends nationwide: Keep your shoes on unless an officer requests targeted screening.
• Liquids easing, not ending: 3-1-1 remains for most items; 11 exemptions now exist for medical and infant needs. CT deployment will drive broader changes.
• Facial recognition and automated entry: Wider use of cameras and touchless checks; manual alternatives remain available.
• Dedicated family lanes: For children under 12 with more space and time to process items.
• REAL ID enforcement: In effect since May 7, 2025.
• CAT-2 rollout: Faster, more accurate ID checks; may change checkpoint flow during installation.

These updates reshape the experience at American checkpoints: more technology, fewer manual steps, and a continued focus on layered security.

Industry groups welcome the changes, predicting shorter queues and better on-time performance. Some security specialists caution that full benefits depend on consistent nationwide equipment and officer training, especially during peak travel periods and holidays.

What travelers should expect in 2025

1. Show your ID at the start of screening. Use a REAL ID–compliant license, passport, federal/military ID, or supported mobile ID where available.
2. Keep shoes on unless an officer instructs otherwise.
3. Place carry-on bags on the belt. At many CT lanes, you may keep standard liquids and electronics in your bag—follow signage and officer instructions.
4. Follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids, except for exempt items like baby formula, breast milk, certain medications, and approved medical gels. Declare exempt items if asked.
5. Proceed through the body scanner or metal detector when directed.
6. If using a lane with facial recognition and automated doors, follow prompts and hold still for the camera. Ask for a manual ID check if you prefer.
7. Families with children under 12 can use dedicated lanes where offered.
8. Collect belongings and recheck pockets before heading to your gate.

Expect variations by airport: large hubs with full CT coverage may offer simplified bin rules that smaller regional airports do not yet have. Officers will continue random checks to manage risk. Patience and clear communication help maintain flow even when equipment differs by location.

Traveler benefits and cautions

Benefits:

• Frequent flyers may save minutes per trip and face less stress at hubs.
• Business travelers report fewer bins and simpler steps, reducing the chance of leaving items behind.
• Families and travelers with disabilities benefit from easier screening and less need to bend or remove footwear.

Cautions:

• Peak travel times (mornings, evenings, holidays) will still strain systems.
• Full benefits require consistent equipment deployment and officer training.
• Privacy advocates seek strict guardrails on facial recognition: clear signage, limits on data storage, and audits. TSA says automation supplements officer work and does not replace human judgment.

Background and context

Shoe removal and strict liquid limits began after early-2000s plots targeting aviation. Modern scanners now measure density and shape more precisely, enabling officers to flag real threats while allowing harmless items to pass. This supports a risk-based approach that focuses resources on higher concerns and removes steps that add little value.

Travelers seeking official updates, including ID requirements and technology rollouts, can check the TSA official website: https://www.tsa.gov. The agency posts policy notices, airport lists for supported digital IDs, and tips for packing medical and infant items.

If you hear about discounts or special offers tied to new screening steps, verify the source and avoid sharing personal data with unofficial sites.

The U.S. aviation system is large, so nationwide changes will not land perfectly on the same day, but the direction is clear: smarter lanes, fewer burdens on passengers, and steady safeguards behind the scenes. With shoe removal ending and select liquid rules loosening through exemptions, the TSA is rewriting daily routines while keeping watch for evolving threats. For millions of travelers, that means shorter lines—and a little less time barefoot at the airport.