Apple has officially launched Digital ID, a new feature that allows users to securely create a verifiable identity credential within their Apple Wallet using their U.S. passport.
This launch represents one of the most substantial mainstream pushes for digital identity credentials, moving beyond the state-level driver’s license program Apple had previously initiated. In a major step for real-world adoption, Apple announced that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is rolling out acceptance in a beta program. Travelers will now be able to use their Apple Digital ID for identity verification during domestic travel at TSA checkpoints in over 250 U.S. airports.
Privacy-First Design
The feature is designed with a heavy emphasis on security and privacy, a core tenet of Apple’s ecosystem. To create a Digital ID, users tap the “+” button in the Wallet app, select ID Cards, and are guided through a process to capture their U.S. passport information.
When presenting the ID at a TSA checkpoint, the user simply double-clicks the side button on their iPhone or Apple Watch and authenticates using Face ID or Touch ID. They do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to the officer. The system uses secure, encrypted communication between the device and the identity reader.
A key privacy feature is selective disclosure. The device will show the user exactly what information is being requested by the verifying party (e.g., the TSA reader) and requires explicit user consent via biometrics to proceed. This ensures only the necessary information is shared. Apple has built the system so that it cannot see when or where a user presents their Digital ID, and all data is encrypted and stored in the Secure Element of the user’s device.
Expanding the Digital ID Ecosystem
This new passport-based Digital ID expands on Apple’s existing program for storing state driver’s licenses and IDs in Wallet, which is currently live in 12 states and Puerto Rico. The inclusion of a federal document like a passport signals a major acceleration in the development of a standardized, interoperable digital identity framework.
As Apple continues to expand its Digital ID program beyond state borders, the passport-based credential provides a universal, federally compliant option for the millions of Americans who hold U.S. passports but live in states that have not yet adopted mobile driver’s licenses.
Sources: Apple Newsroom
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By Ali Nassar-Smith
