**Apple Introduces Digital Passport Storage on iPhone: What You Need to Know**
Apple has announced an innovative new feature for iPhone users: the ability to store your passport information digitally within the Apple Wallet app. This addition builds on previous efforts by Apple to digitize important identification documents, such as driver’s licenses and state IDs, making it easier and more convenient for users to prove their identity in everyday situations.
**How Digital Passport Storage Works**
The Digital ID feature allows users to scan the photo page of their physical passport, including the embedded security chip, directly with their iPhone. The setup process is straightforward but secure: after scanning the passport, users are prompted to take a selfie to confirm that they match the photo on the passport. The app may also request additional facial movements to further verify your identity. Once verified, the digital passport information is stored securely in the Wallet app. From there, users can present their Digital ID using either their iPhone or Apple Watch.
This new feature is available starting today and is part of Apple’s broader push to make its devices more integral to users’ daily lives, particularly when it comes to personal security and convenience.
**Where Can You Use Your Digital Passport?**
Currently, the digital passport in Apple Wallet is accepted as a form of identification at over 250 TSA checkpoints in airports across the United States. However, there are important limitations to be aware of. The digital passport is only valid for domestic flights within the US and cannot be used as a substitute for your physical passport when traveling internationally or crossing borders. In those cases, your original passport remains essential.
Apple’s move follows the earlier rollout of digital driver’s licenses and state IDs, which are currently available in a limited number of US states. Some states have also developed their own digital wallet solutions, but Apple’s integration aims to make digital identification more seamless for iPhone and Apple Watch users.
**Security and Privacy Considerations**
With sensitive personal information involved, security and privacy are at the forefront of Apple’s Digital ID system. Digital passports stored in the Wallet app are encrypted and kept only on your device—not uploaded to Apple’s servers or stored in the cloud. This means only you have access to your passport details.
To present your Digital ID, you must authenticate each use with Face ID or Touch ID, ensuring that only the authorized user can access or share the information. When you share your ID, only the information required for the specific transaction is transmitted, and you have the opportunity to review exactly what data will be shared before approving the request. This process also means you never need to physically hand over your device or unlock it fully to present your identification.
Moreover, Apple has stated that it cannot track when, where, or how you use your Digital ID, nor can it see which data you have chosen to share. These measures are designed to maintain user privacy and control at all times.
**Setting Up Your Digital Passport**
Getting started with a digital passport on your iPhone is simple.