Apple has announced that it will soon add a new feature to Apple Wallet, enabling users in the United States to generate a digital ID using their passport. This digital ID can then be presented at certain TSA checkpoints for domestic flights. Initially revealed as part of the iOS 26 update, this feature highlights Apple’s ongoing efforts to transform Wallet into more than just a payment or ticketing tool, positioning it as a secure hub for digital identity storage.
At present, Apple Wallet’s support for government-issued IDs is available in 12 states and Puerto Rico, covering about one-third of U.S. license holders. However, the Digital ID feature linked to passports was not included in the initial iOS 26 release, as Apple indicated it would arrive in an upcoming update.
Although these digital IDs will not serve as a substitute for a physical U.S. passport, they may help travelers move through TSA security more efficiently, complementing Wallet’s current digital boarding pass functionality.
This update is especially timely in light of the Real ID regulations, which began being enforced in May and have made many state-issued IDs inadequate for TSA screening.
Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s Vice President of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, revealed the upcoming passport-based Digital ID feature on Sunday at the Money 20/20 USA conference, where she also provided additional insights into Wallet’s usage.
For example, she mentioned that Apple Pay is now operational in 89 countries and regions, with support from over 11,000 banks and networks, including 15 domestic ones. Additionally, 90% of retailers in the U.S. now accept Apple Pay, a significant increase from just 3% when it launched 11 years ago.
Bailey also highlighted other features of the Wallet app beyond payments, such as storing digital car keys, transit passes, hotel room keys, and more. Transit services are now available in over 250 regions and 800 cities worldwide, and more than 2 million hotel keys have been issued, covering upwards of 65,000 hotel rooms. Furthermore, 29 automakers and over 300 car models are compatible with the Car Key feature in Wallet, according to Bailey.
