How TSA will use Apple’s new digital ID

Apple has unveiled a new Digital ID feature that the company says will allow U.S. travelers to securely store and present their identification using an iPhone or Apple Watch.

The feature, announced Wednesday, will be accepted at more than 250 domestic Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints nationwide.

Why It Matters

Apple’s new Digital ID could change how Americans prove their identity both at airports and, eventually, in everyday situations.

The system lets TSA agents verify travelers using an iPhone or Apple Watch, eliminating the need to handle a physical ID and potentially speeding up security lines while reducing the risk of lost or stolen documents.

What To Know

Apple announced last year that customers can add their ID, such as their driver’s license or other state-issued ID, to their digital wallets, which will be accepted at certain TSA checkpoints.

The Digital ID draws information from either a U.S. passport or an eligible state-issued driver’s license, allowing users to create a verified digital version of their ID in the Apple Wallet app rather than presenting a physical ID.

The feature is only available to people with an iPhone 8 or newer running iOS 16.5 or later in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio and Puerto Rico.

While it cannot replace a physical passport for international travel or immigration, Apple says it’s designed to speed security screening for domestic flights. For international travel, passengers must still carry their physical passport.

Some privacy advocates worry that Apple’s Digital ID could expose sensitive location or usage data. Because Apple’s system allows users to choose which bits of their identity to share, observers say it could be used by law‑enforcement or other parties to build a usage profile over time.

Swiss InfoSec expert Jean-Paul Donner wrote on LinkedIn that both “law enforcement and hackers have tools to bypass iPhone security in certain cases.”

Meanwhile, A coalition of privacy and digital rights organizations—including the ACLU, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the Center for Democracy and Technology—issued a statement asserting that identity platforms should be designed to prevent authorities from tracking when or where users present their IDs.

Privacy advocate and Co-Founder of The Free Thought Project, Jason Bassler wrote on X: “The surrender of privacy is about to hit warp speed. This is step one of your digital leash, gift-wrapped as convenience. Once it’s ‘normalized,’ it’s irreversible. Then it’s ‘optional.’ Until it’s not.”

Apple says the system use advanced security and privacy safeguards built into its devices. Each user’s identity data is fully encrypted and stored only on their personal device, preventing Apple or third parties from accessing it. Authentication requires Face ID or Touch ID, ensuring that only the rightful owner can use the digital ID. Before sharing, users will see exactly what information is being transmitted to TSA agents.

At TSA checkpoints, travelers can present their Digital ID by holding their iPhone or Apple Watch near a reader, reviewing which details are requested, and approving the process with Face ID or Touch ID—without unlocking or handing over the device.

Android users have access to a similar feature. Those in California can already use a digital ID at select TSA checkpoints, with Iowa, New Mexico and Ohio next in line. Android users can also scan the security chip on their passport to create a digital ID through Google Wallet, which is currently accepted for domestic travel in more than 20 states, including California, Texas and Florida.

What People Are Saying

Apple, in its announcement: “Digital ID leverages the privacy and security features of iPhone and Apple Watch to help protect against tampering and theft. Digital ID data is encrypted and stored only on the device, and Apple cannot see when, where, or how an ID is used.

“Face ID or Touch ID ensures only the owner can present their ID, and users review exactly what information is shared before it’s sent. There’s no need to unlock, show, or hand over the device, and users are only ever sharing the information necessary.”

What Happens Next

Apple says the Digital ID will soon expand beyond airports, enabling users to confirm their identity or age at participating businesses, online services and mobile apps.