Google Brings U.S. Passports to Digital Wallet

Google has announced that it will begin beta testing a feature in Google Wallet that allows U.S. passport holders to create a digital ID. The new capability is expected to work at select TSA checkpoints across the U.S. for domestic travel, although users are still advised to carry their physical ID as a backup.

To generate the digital ID, users will need to scan the security chip on the back of their passport, take a selfie video for identity verification, and within a few minutes, the digital ID will be ready for use.

In addition to its potential use at TSA checkpoints, Google is collaborating with partners to expand the functionality of digital IDs for situations like car rentals, account recovery, and identity verification. While the feature offers added convenience, Google has emphasized that the digital version is not meant to replace physical IDs entirely.

Google has also introduced several other updates to Google Wallet. In the U.S., users can now add certain prepaid commuter benefit cards, such as Edenred and HealthEquity, to their Wallet. Google is also working to bring mobile payment capabilities to more transit and payment systems worldwide. And Google Wallet will soon automatically import transit tickets from Gmail booking confirmations and allow users to view live train updates directly within the app.

For state IDs and driver’s licenses, Google has announced that residents of Iowa, New Mexico, and Ohio will soon be able to save their IDs in Google Wallet, joining a growing number of states offering this feature. Alongside these updates, Google has enhanced the app with notifications that inform users of changes to passes, such as boarding pass seat assignments, and has enabled web access to Google Wallet passes.

Sources: TechCrunch, The Verge

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September 12, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy