Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) has begun accepting Ohio mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs stored in Apple Wallet for TSA verification, marking the latest expansion of digital identity acceptance at U.S. airports. Ohio, which became one of ten U.S. regions to adopt this technology, launched its mobile ID system last summer.
The implementation at CLE allows travelers to present their Ohio Mobile ID by holding their iPhone or Apple Watch near TSA’s Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) readers. The process requires Face ID or Touch ID authentication to share encrypted identity data.
To use the service, residents must have an iPhone 8 or newer running iOS 15.4 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer, a valid Ohio driver’s license or state ID, and a verified Apple account.
The system incorporates significant security and privacy measures, with data encrypted on the device. Neither Apple nor the state can track usage of the mobile IDs. However, TSA guidelines still require travelers to carry their physical IDs as backup.
The adoption has seen strong initial uptake, with over 75,000 Ohioans adding their IDs to Apple Wallet within the first two days of launch. This expansion aligns with broader TSA initiatives, as the agency continues to expand digital ID acceptance across U.S. airports.
A recent TSA rule allows states to apply for waivers to accept non-REAL ID-compliant mobile licenses until 2027, ensuring continued use at CLE and other airports after REAL ID enforcement begins. Currently, the system has some limitations – Android users cannot yet use Ohio Mobile IDs, and physical IDs remain mandatory for activities such as voting or traffic stops.
The implementation at CLE represents part of a larger trend in modernizing airport security processes, with increasing adoption of biometric and mobile ID technologies across the air travel industry.
Sources: AFAR, Governor Ohio, TSA
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February 5, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team
