Apple announced that U.S. users will soon be able to create a digital ID using their passport in Apple Wallet, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion beyond payments into identity management.
The new feature, revealed by Jennifer Bailey, Vice President of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, at the Money 20/20 USA conference, will allow travelers to use a verified passport-based digital ID at select TSA checkpoints for domestic air travel.
The functionality, first teased during the rollout of iOS 26, had not yet launched when the update debuted. Apple said the feature will arrive “in an upcoming software update,” positioning it as part of the company’s broader effort to make Wallet “a secure place for everything that represents you.”
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Bailey said the feature “builds on the progress we’ve made with state-issued IDs,” referring to Apple’s ongoing partnerships with U.S. state governments. So far, 12 states and Puerto Rico have adopted support for digital driver’s licenses or state IDs in Apple Wallet—representing roughly a third of U.S. license holders.
A Timely Move Amid Real ID Enforcement
The timing of the announcement aligns with new Real ID enforcement rules that took effect in May, which require compliant identification for air travel within the United States. Many state-issued IDs that haven’t yet met Real ID standards can no longer be used at TSA checkpoints, making Apple’s digital passport ID an attractive alternative for frequent travelers.
Although the feature won’t replace a physical U.S. passport, Apple says it will streamline travel by allowing passengers to verify their identity through their iPhone or Apple Watch, alongside existing digital boarding passes in Wallet.
Bailey emphasized that the integration with TSA will enhance “speed, convenience, and security,” as travelers can move through checkpoints without needing to hand over physical documents.
Wallet’s Expanding Role Beyond Payments
At the conference, Bailey also detailed Apple Wallet’s growing ecosystem, describing it as a digital hub that now extends far beyond payments.
She noted that Apple Pay is now active in 89 markets worldwide, supported by more than 11,000 banks and networks, including 15 domestic payment networks in the U.S. In addition, 90% of U.S. retailers now accept Apple Pay, up from just 3% at its launch 11 years ago.
Wallet’s non-payment capabilities have also expanded rapidly. Users can already store car keys, transit passes, and hotel room keys in the app. Transit support now covers over 250 regions and 800 cities globally, while more than 2 million hotel room keys have been issued through the app, covering 65,000 hotel properties. Meanwhile, 29 car manufacturers and over 300 models support Apple’s Car Key feature, allowing drivers to unlock and start vehicles with their devices.
A Step Toward a Broader Identity Future
Apple’s forthcoming passport-linked Digital ID initiative underscores its ambition to make the iPhone central to personal identity in the digital era. Analysts say the move could position Apple as a key player in the identity verification space, an area increasingly important for travel, fintech, and government services.
The company has framed Wallet as part of a privacy-centric approach, with all identity data encrypted and stored securely on the user’s device rather than in Apple’s cloud systems.
The digital ID project could ultimately lay the groundwork for future integrations — such as access to government portals, health credentials, or global travel verification — placing Apple Wallet at the center of how users prove who they are, both online and in person.