Apple is expanding the capabilities of its Apple Wallet with a new feature called Digital ID, aiming to revolutionize how we present our identification documents in digital form. Initially launching as a beta program, this technology allows users to store their U.S. passport information securely within their iPhone’s Wallet and utilize it for TSA checkpoints at over 250 airports across the country.
While this marks a significant step towards a more streamlined travel experience, Digital ID is currently limited to domestic travel within the United States. For now, physical passports are still required for international journeys.
Setting up Digital ID is a relatively straightforward process. Users can add their passport details to Wallet by scanning both the physical document and its embedded chip. This may also involve completing facial recognition tasks during setup to enhance security measures.
When presenting your Digital ID at TSA checkpoints, you simply double-click your iPhone’s side button to access Wallet, select your Digital ID card, hold your phone near an identity reader, and authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. This contactless method also extends to Apple Watch users.
Apple emphasizes that Digital ID enhances privacy by only allowing authorized venues to verify specific data points, such as age and photo, without accessing the entirety of your passport information. This selective data sharing model aims to mitigate concerns surrounding potential misuse of sensitive personal data.
The Digital ID rollout builds upon the company’s existing initiative of digital driver’s licenses and state IDs, which are already accepted in 12 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. Apple envisions a future where Digital ID transcends mere TSA check-in; it could potentially be used for age verification at venues, online identity confirmation within apps, and various other applications requiring secure identification.
This initial step towards a more digitalized identity system opens the door to numerous possibilities, promising to reshape how we interact with physical and virtual spaces in the coming years.
