Apple's new Digital ID
 

You can add your US passport to your iPhone wallet now. I did it yesterday. Apparently it will work for the TSA (though not for international border crossings).

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/...-apple-wallet/

Has anyone actually used it?

Following.

I will try to add mine this afternoon.

I can see a few practical applications here - i.e. backup ID in case of misplaced or forgotten DL. I currently carry my global entry card and passport card for this purpose currently.

The only use I see for it currently is not having to dig my passport out at TSA (or being able to fly easily if I've lost it) since I don't have a Real ID license, but it'll be interesting to see what other uses they add over time. On one hand, it'd be cool to be able to use it to prove my identity to open a new bank account but on the other I can also imagine a future where you have to use it to access any kind of content someone thinks is inappropriate for kids, which could have some implications best discussed in OMNI/PR.

I also have a passport card and GE card, so it's unlikely the digital ID will be what saves my tail. But you can never be too prepared, right? At least this one is free and only took a couple minutes, unlike getting a Real ID license.

I was able to add it to my iPhone/Watch easily last night.

Last week flying home from JAX the TSA ID checker let me try to use the NYS Mobile ID app, but I couldn't get it to work (It kept going to apple wallet, since they have that in-app solution).

Do we know where else we're going to be able to use the digital ID?

Added mine while in the MCI Escape Lounge earlier this afternoon. It felt a bit funny holding my mouth open or closing my eyes so it could capture shots of me prior to verifying. Since I’ve got CLEAR, I’m not sure when I’ll have a chance to try it, but glad it’s an option since Kansas doesn’t do digital IDs.

I do think the design is a bit ugly — could’ve jazzed it up a bit with the same design as the passport cover..

If it's just for TSA, real ID from many states could already been added to Apple ID or Google Wallet long time ago. I had my CA driver license Real ID on my Google Wallet.

https://www.tsa.gov/digital-id/participating-states

I added mine last night as well. I am flying Tuesday, and I hope I will be able to try it out. It was pretty cool, actually! Could be nice to be able to keep the passport safely tucked away on this end of the trip if we can, but I am one of those who clings to my passport for dear life anyway.

Not all states support digital drivers licenses (annoyingly mine does not).

I added my digital ID to my phone the other day, but so far have not needed it (generally CLEAR+Pre is fastest).

Curious to see how this plays out compared to going the Touchless route.

not related to the Apple Wallet thing but I was flying back from Europe a a couples of weeks ago and when I went through GE it gave me the “see agent for assistance” message. For whatever reason it wasn’t finding me.

”Do you have Global Entry, Sir?”

“yes, of course. Here, I’ve actually got my GE card on me too”

and the agent looked at that and then just let me pass.

weirdest thing, I have never had an issue with GE since it was introduced.

How does this (whether its US Passport or state issued identification) actually "work" at TSA. Not to sound to paranoid, but the thought of giving my unlocked phone over to the govt isn't especially appetizing for me. Whether it's privacy or they just drop it and it breaks, or anywhere in between. It sounds like the device stays w/ you and locked. But maybe not.

If they have NFC scanner, you just tap your phone. If they have a QR code scanner, you can display the QR code and scan it. At least that's how the CA Driver License digital version work. It specifically say on the phone that you don't have to hand over your phone.

That's how it worked for the brief period I was able to use my non-Real ID license in Apple Wallet at TSA--they have an NFC reader at the checkpoint that you tap your phone on after selecting your ID the same way you'd select a payment card in a shop.

Ah. That's more comforting. Now, if the phone falls and breaks during the process, I have only me to blame.

Am I the only one who does not want this?