Meta Description: Apple’s Digital ID in Wallet brings a new, secure way to store and present identification using your U.S. passport. Here’s how it works, how to set it up, and where you can use it.
Apple’s New Digital ID: What It Is and Why It Matters
Apple has once again made life simpler with the introduction of Digital ID in Apple Wallet. This new feature allows users to create a secure digital identity using information from their U.S. passport and present it directly from their iPhone or Apple Watch.
With Digital ID, you no longer have to pull out your wallet at airport checkpoints. Starting with a beta rollout across 250 TSA locations in the U.S., Apple is making it easier and safer to verify your identity during domestic travel.
Creating Your Digital ID Step-by-Step
Setting up your Digital ID in Apple Wallet is quick and secure. Here’s how it works:
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the Add (+) button.
- Choose Driver’s License or ID Cards, then select Digital ID.
- Use your iPhone to scan the photo page of your U.S. passport.
- Allow your iPhone to read the embedded chip for data verification.
- Take a selfie and complete some facial movements for security checks.
- Once verified, your Digital ID appears safely inside your Apple Wallet.
This process ensures that your identity is verified through multiple secure steps — all without handing your passport to anyone.
Where Can You Use Your Digital ID?
Currently, Digital ID can be used at TSA checkpoints in over 250 airports across the United States. You simply double-click the side button or Home button, select your Digital ID, and hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader.
You can review which information is being requested and approve it using Face ID or Touch ID. In the near future, Apple plans to expand this to businesses, apps, and online identity verification — making digital ID even more useful in daily life.
Digital ID vs. Physical IDs — Which Is Better?
| Feature | Digital ID in Apple Wallet | Physical ID / Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Portability | Always available on iPhone or Apple Watch | Must carry physically |
| Security | Protected by Face ID / Touch ID | Can be lost or stolen |
| Data Privacy | Only shares required info | Exposes full details |
| Convenience | Fast and contactless | Manual verification |
| International Use | Not valid for border crossing | Required for travel abroad |
While the Digital ID adds great convenience, Apple reminds users that it cannot replace a physical passport for international travel.
Apple’s Promise of Privacy and Security
Apple’s biggest focus with Digital ID is privacy and protection. All your ID data stays encrypted and stored locally on your device. Apple itself cannot access or track when and where your ID is used.
You control what information is shared, and every action requires your biometric authentication. This ensures that only you — and no one else — can use your Digital ID.
The Future of ID Verification on iPhone and Apple Watch
The launch of Digital ID represents a major step in Apple’s mission to create a more secure, connected digital ecosystem. With driver’s licenses already supported in 12 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and even Japan adopting digital ID options, Apple is shaping the future of how we identify ourselves.
Digital ID in Apple Wallet combines convenience, privacy, and modern technology, giving users confidence that their identity is always secure — right on their wrist or in their pocket.
