In the upcoming iOS 26, Apple is introducing an innovative Digital ID feature that enhances the existing integration of Driver’s Licenses within the Wallet app. Beginning this fall, iPhone users will have the capability to add a U.S. passport to their Wallet, enabling them to use it as a digital substitute for a physical passport during domestic travel.
The Digital ID can be conveniently stored on both the iPhone and Apple Watch. Users can utilize it at designated TSA checkpoints across the United States.
Significantly, this feature is compliant with Real ID requirements, allowing travelers to present a digital passport instead of a Real ID. However, it’s essential to note that while Digital IDs simplify domestic travel, they don’t replace physical passports.
For international travel or border crossings, users will still need to carry their physical passports. Beyond its use in transportation, Digital IDs will be functional for age and identity verification across various platforms, including apps, retail locations, and, notably, websites in iOS 26.
This new capability aims to extend digital identification access to a broader cohort of iPhone users. Currently, the rollout of IDs in the Wallet app is limited to a few U.S. states and territories, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio, and Puerto Rico.
However, Apple is actively working to expand this feature. Additionally, the Wallet app will receive several enhancements for travelers.
It includes a revamped boarding pass experience that provides users with a real-time overview of their flight and options to access maps for airport details and track luggage via Find My. Apple is collaborating with airlines such as Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, and others to introduce these updated boarding pass features.
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