Yes, we know we should be grateful that we don’t have to travel by horse, train, or cross the United States as if it were the Oregon Trail. However, we can’t help but feel a little anxious when we think about having to go to the airport and being constantly aware of our luggage, personal belongings, and driver’s license or passport. Nevertheless, the TSA spends its days trying to make our trips a little more efficient—or not, depending on each person’s experience—and they have recently given us carte blanche to stop rummaging through our wallets to show a physical ID card.
From now on, the Transportation Security Administration will accept digital ID documents stored in Apple Wallet. Who would have thought that buying an iPhone would ultimately be an investment in more comfortable travel? Whether it’s your driver’s license or passport, your iPhone can store this document and become a travel credential.
Digital identification at airports
The TSA has allowed the use of state IDs for several years now. Ultimately, Apple and the TSA had signed an agreement to digitize driver’s licenses. However, this was limited to 16 jurisdictions (15 states plus Puerto Rico). The real news is that from now on, the security agency will allow the use of a digital ID based on the US national passport.
This option is now available to any U.S. citizen with a valid passport and a compatible iPhone, regardless of whether they reside in one of the 16 states or not. This new digital passport option is being implemented at checkpoints in more than 250 airports across the country.
Digital Passport in your iPhone
Although it may seem dangerous, registering your physical passport on your iPhone is safer than keeping it in your pants pocket. This iPhone feature transforms your physical passport information into a highly secure digital credential. Your data is encrypted and stored on the secure chip in your iPhone or Apple Watch.
To use this feature on your iPhone, you need to meet some key technical requirements. It is only available on iPhone 11 or later models. You also need to have the latest version of iOS or watchOS installed on your device. Although it may seem obvious, you also need to have a valid U.S. passport that has not expired.
If you are interested in adding your passport to your iPhone (and already meet the technical requirements), here is a short tutorial:
- Open the Wallet app and tap the “Open” (+) button at the top.
- Select the “Digital ID” option or the one that says “Passport.”
- You will need to scan your physical document—which in this case means taking a photograph with your camera. [Take a photo of your passport open to the page with your photo and details… there’s no need to photograph every single page!]
- To validate the chip, place your iPhone on the back of your passport so that the phone can read the integrated chip using NFC technology.
- The system will then require biometric verification: you will need to take a selfie or perform a series of facial movements—turning your head, blinking, etc.—so that it can associate your face with your ID.
The TSA Checkpoint
No more cold sweats in the TSA line trying to find your passport: when you arrive at a checkpoint that supports this technology, all you need to do is activate your digital ID. To do this, simply double-click the side button or Home button on your iPhone or Apple Watch. Then, you’ll need to hold your device close to the TSA identity reader.
This is where your iPhone screen will light up and ask for consent: verify exactly what specific information the TSA is requesting before consenting to give it. All users must authorize the transfer of data with their fingerprint or face. Best of all, travelers never need to show or hand over their cell phone to the TSA officer.
Apple assures users that all passport data is encrypted using the highest security standards on the market. What’s more, passport information is stored solely on the device, not on Apple’s servers, so there is no risk of data leaks.