Apple’s new digital ID can be used at TSA but not for international travel

Apple will soon let iPhone users upload their US passport to Apple Wallet. This will let users safely store and show their ID using their iPhone or Apple Watch.

Published on: Jun 16, 2025, 13:06:26 IST

By HT News Desk

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Apple is adding a new feature this fall that will let iPhone users upload their US passport to Apple Wallet. This feature is meant to help users go through ID checks at airports more easily. But officials say the digital version will not replace the physical passport, especially for international travel, reported New York Post.

The Wallet app is also getting a new design to make using boarding passes and travel features better. (Pexels)

The new Digital ID will work at TSA checkpoints in the US only. “While not a replacement for your physical passport, digital ID can be used for domestic travel and at supported TSA checkpoints,” an Apple spokesperson said, according to USA TODAY.

Also Read: Apple CarPlay gets its smartest upgrade yet with iOS 26

Apple says the feature will let users safely store and show their ID using their iPhone or Apple Watch. People will be able to make and add a Digital ID using their US passport. The Wallet app is also getting a new design to make using boarding passes and travel features better, as per NYP.

The TSA made it clear that the digital passport is only for use inside the US. “It is important to have the physical US Passport available in case it is needed, and a physical US Passport is still required for international travel,” the agency told SF Gate.

This update is coming just weeks after the May 7 Real ID deadline, which confused many travelers. As per NYP, some people tried to break the rules by spreading wrong information, like a rumor that Costco cards could be used as airport ID.

The TSA ended that rumor, saying, “We love hotdogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a Real ID because it absolutely does not.”

So, Apple’s new passport feature may help make things easier for travelers, but people still need to carry their real passport, especially for trips outside the country.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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