November 12, 2025
ID me, maybe?
Apple Introduced Digital ID in Apple Wallet
Your iPhone as ID at TSA: cheers, side‑eyes, and Google shade
TLDR: Apple’s new Digital ID lets U.S. travelers use a passport-verified ID in Wallet at TSA in 250+ airports, with on‑device security. The crowd is split: some want universal acceptance and celebrate simpler IDs, while others fear a smartphone-only future, privacy creep, and a looming Apple vs. Google showdown.
Apple just dropped “Digital ID” for Wallet, letting U.S. travelers use passport-verified ID on iPhone or Apple Watch at TSA checkpoints in 250+ airports — and the comments section lit up. The crowd splits fast: some are yelling finally, others shouting nope. One big mood: adoption drama. User willio58 wants “100% of state driver’s licenses supported” and for anyone who checks ID to accept it, period. Another camp is all-in on standardizing identity: altairprime cheers Apple for dragging the U.S. into a single, simple ID you can actually use outside a DMV maze. Privacy hawks aren’t having it. SilverElfin worries this, digital money, and app-only boarding passes mean consumers lose control. Cue the Black Mirror memes and “papers, please” jokes. Tech turf war alert: Google Wallet already supports some state IDs (not passports), and fans are betting Google’s passport move is next. Meanwhile, pedants clap back: “It’s only in the US,” so don’t toss that physical passport for international travel. Apple swears it’s secure — data lives on your device, it’s encrypted, and you choose what to share with Face ID or Touch ID — but skeptics still picture TSA “booping” your wrist while Big Tech watches. Drama now boarding
Key Points
- •Apple launched Digital ID in Apple Wallet, created using U.S. passport information.
- •Initial acceptance is in beta at TSA checkpoints at over 250 U.S. airports for domestic travel.
- •Digital ID is not a replacement for a physical passport and cannot be used for international travel.
- •Setup involves scanning the passport photo page, reading its embedded chip, taking a selfie, and completing facial/head movements.
- •Data is encrypted and stored on-device; users review and authorize requested info with Face ID or Touch ID, and Apple cannot see usage details.