Apple says U.S. passport digital IDs are coming to Wallet ‘soon’

Apple said it will soon introduce an Apple Wallet feature that will allow US users to create a digital ID using their passport, which can then be used at select TSA checkpoints for domestic travel. properties, previously declared as part of iOS 26 releaseIt comes on the heels of Apple’s expansion of Wallet as a payment mechanism or ticket holder, but also as a secure place to store a user’s digital identity.

Currently, support for government IDs in Apple Wallet extends to 12 states and Puerto Rico, or about a third of US licensees. However, the passport-bound Digital ID feature did not arrive with the debut of iOS 26, as Apple said it would arrive in a future software update.

While the new digital IDs won’t replace a US passport, they could allow travelers to get through TSA checkpoints more quickly in addition to Wallet’s existing support for digital boarding passes.

Change is especially important Real ID ruleswhich went into effect in May, rendering many state IDs insufficient for TSA checkpoints.

The upcoming launch of the passport-linked digital ID was announced on Sunday by Jennifer Bailey, VP of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. Money 20/20 USA conference, where the executive also shared other statistics on wallet adoption.

For example, he noted that Apple Pay was now live in 89 markets around the world, with more than 11,000 banks and networks supporting Apple Pay, including 15 domestic networks. Additionally, 90% of US retailers support Apple Pay, up from 3% at launch 11 years ago.

Bailey also pointed to other non-payment features for the Wallet app, such as the ability to store car keys, transit passes, hotel keys and more. Transit Options is supported in more than 250 regions and 800 cities worldwide, and has been delivered to more than 2 million hotel room keys, supporting more than 65,000 hotel rooms. In addition, 29 car manufacturers and more than 300 models now support Car Key in Wallet, according to XC.