Travelers soon won’t need to fumble for plastic licenses or Real ID cards at U.S. airports. A forthcoming Apple Wallet feature, expected with iOS 26 this fall, lets passengers create a secure digital ID from their U.S. passport and present it at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints for domestic flights.
The TSA has confirmed it will accept the new passport‑based Digital ID at lanes equipped with its credential authentication technology. That means quicker scans, fewer documents, and one less panic‑inducing pocket search before boarding.
Digital passport in Apple Wallet promises faster TSA lanes for domestic flyers
Apple’s system builds on the mobile driver’s licenses already in limited use at several U.S. airports. By adding a machine‑readable chip from your physical passport and tying it to Face ID or Touch ID, the iPhone becomes your government‑issued credential.
Think of it as a virtual passport card: valid for identity checks inside the country, but not for crossing borders or international departures. Still, it is a welcome fix for anyone who has not yet upgraded to a Real ID license. Below is a quick overview. You’ll need an iPhone XS or later and the free iOS 26 update.
| Step | What you do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Update to iOS 26 when it lands this fall |
| 2 | Open Wallet and tap “+” then “Digital ID” |
| 3 | Scan the photo page of your physical passport |
| 4 | Follow the on‑screen liveness checks (Face ID or Touch ID) |
| 5 | Wait for confirmation, typically under a minute |
Here is how to add your U.S. passport to iPhone Wallet step‑by‑step
When the process finishes, the Digital ID sits next to your boarding passes. At TSA, simply hold the top of the phone near the reader, glance at Face ID, and you’re done. No more paper shuffle. Pretty neat, right? What travelers still need to know about Real ID, physical documents, and backup plans:
- The feature only works at TSA lanes that display the Digital ID logo. Check your airport ahead of time.
- You must still carry a physical passport—or another compliant ID—just in case systems go offline.
- The Digital ID is for domestic flights only. International itineraries still require the booklet version for check‑in and immigration.
Consequently, frequent flyers, college students headed home, and anyone who misplaced their wallet mid‑trip may find this update a lifesaver. This fall’s iOS 26 turns your passport into a TSA‑approved Digital ID for domestic flights, eliminating the need for Real ID licenses at supported checkpoints. Setup takes minutes, authentication is biometric, and your physical passport remains the gold‑standard backup.