Particle.news
Download on the App Store
50 ARTICLES
·
2h ago

Apple Launches Digital ID, Letting U.S. Passport Holders Use iPhone at TSA Checkpoints

The feature creates an encrypted on‑device passport credential gated by biometrics for use at select TSA readers during domestic travel.

Apple Digital ID creation
Image
FILE - The cover of a U.S. Passport is displayed in Tigard, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
People seen walking past an Apple store in Paris, France on Aug. 17, 2025.

Overview

  • The rollout is a public beta with acceptance at more than 250 U.S. airports, and not all TSA checkpoint readers support it yet.
  • Setup involves scanning the passport photo page and NFC chip, taking a selfie, and completing guided head movements before the ID appears in Wallet on iPhone or Apple Watch.
  • Eligibility requires an iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26.1 or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later with watchOS 26.1, plus Face ID or Touch ID and two‑factor authentication.
  • The digital credential does not replace a physical passport, is not valid for international travel or border crossings, and travelers are still advised to carry physical ID.
  • Apple says data remains encrypted on device with selective data sharing, while privacy advocates warn broader use could increase routine identity checks.