CALIFORNIA (Kashmir English): In another step towards transforming the smartphone into a digital hub for payments, identification, and travel, iPhone users in the United States will be able to create a digital ID based on their US passport later this year.
According to the latest update, Apple’s upcoming iOS 26 feature which is scheduled for release later this year, will enable iPhone users in the US to create a digital ID based on their US passports.
Apple’s goal
The feature will be available in the iPhone’s Wallet app and marks another step towards Apple’s goal of transforming the smartphone into a digital hub.
The digital ID will not fully replace a passport hardcopy but will serve in some settings where identification is required such as select airport checkpoints and mobile applications.
Feature limited to domestic use — for now
While the idea may suggest international travel ease, Apple has clarified that the digital passport ID will not be valid for global travel.
Instead, it will work only at a growing number of TSA checkpoints within the US, allowing travellers to verify their identity without pulling out a physical ID.
Currently, only 14 airports across the US and Puerto Rico accept digital IDs through Apple Wallet, but this number is likely to increase as adoption expands.
Currently, residents of nine US states and Puerto Rico can store state-issued IDs in their iPhones. These states include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, and Ohio.
Apple hopes that additional states will support the feature in the future.
