Passport on the smartphone: Apple introduced the Digital ID feature for iPhone and Apple Watch

Apple has introduced a new Digital ID feature that allows users to store a US passport in the Wallet app. Thanks to this innovation, passengers will be able to use a digital copy of the passport as an official document for identification at TSA checkpoints during domestic flights.

What is known

The feature works on both iPhone and Apple Watch and is already being implemented at more than 250 US airports. At the same time, the company warns that the TSA has not yet widely implemented digital document reading technology, so it is worth taking a paper passport with you for now. Moreover, for international flights, a physical document remains mandatory.

When creating a digital ID, the user's passport data is stored directly on their device. Apple does not have access to information about when or where this ID is used, nor which specific data was provided. Thanks to biometric verification through Face ID or Touch ID, only the device owner can use their digital ID.

Apple also plans to extend the use of Digital ID beyond air travel. In the future, businesses will be able to use this technology to verify age or other needs. Adding a passport to Wallet is quite simple: just take a selfie and make a few head movements to confirm identity.

Source: Apple