Apple Unveils New Digital ID Feature for iPhone and Apple Watch
Apple has introduced an innovative Digital ID feature that allows U.S. travelers to securely store and present their identification using an iPhone or Apple Watch. Announced on Wednesday, this feature will be accepted at more than 250 domestic Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints nationwide.
Why It Matters
Apple’s new Digital ID has the potential to change how Americans prove their identity both at airports and eventually in everyday situations. The system enables TSA agents to verify travelers using an iPhone or Apple Watch, eliminating the need to handle physical IDs. This could speed up security lines while reducing the risk of lost or stolen documents.
What You Need to Know
Apple first announced last year that customers could add their IDs—such as driver’s licenses or other state-issued identifications—to their digital wallets. These digital IDs would be accepted at selected TSA checkpoints.
The Digital ID extracts information from either a U.S. passport or an eligible state-issued driver’s license, allowing users to create a verified digital version of their ID within the Apple Wallet app. This replaces the need to present a physical ID at participating locations.
Currently, the feature is available only to individuals with an iPhone 8 or newer running iOS 16.5 or later. It is supported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio, and Puerto Rico.
While the Digital ID speeds up security screening for domestic flights, it cannot replace a physical passport for international travel or immigration purposes. Passengers traveling internationally must still carry their physical passport.
Privacy Concerns
Some privacy advocates have expressed concerns regarding Apple’s Digital ID feature. They worry it could expose sensitive location or usage data, potentially allowing law enforcement or other parties to build usage profiles over time.
Swiss info security expert Jean-Paul Donner highlighted on LinkedIn that both “law enforcement and hackers have tools to bypass iPhone security in certain cases.”
Additionally, a coalition of privacy and digital rights organizations—including the ACLU, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the Center for Democracy and Technology—issued a statement emphasizing that identity platforms should be designed to prevent authorities from tracking when or where users present their IDs.
Privacy advocate and Co-Founder of The Free Thought Project, Jason Bassler, commented on X (formerly Twitter), saying: “The surrender of privacy is about to hit warp speed. This is step one of your digital leash, gift-wrapped as convenience. Once it’s ‘normalized,’ it’s irreversible. Then it’s ‘optional.’ Until it’s not.”
Apple’s Response on Security and Privacy
In response, Apple assures users that the Digital ID system uses advanced security and privacy safeguards built into their devices. All identity data is fully encrypted and stored only on the user’s personal device, preventing Apple or third parties from accessing it.
Authentication is secured through Face ID or Touch ID, ensuring only the rightful owner can use the Digital ID. Before sharing any information, users are shown exactly what details will be transmitted to TSA agents.
At TSA checkpoints, travelers present their Digital ID by holding their iPhone or Apple Watch near a reader, review the requested information, and approve the process with Face ID or Touch ID—without unlocking or handing over their device.
Digital ID for Android Users
Android users also have access to a similar feature. In California, digital IDs are already accepted at select TSA checkpoints, with Iowa, New Mexico, and Ohio slated to follow.
Android users can create a digital ID by scanning the security chip on their passport through Google Wallet. This digital ID is currently accepted for domestic travel in more than 20 states, including California, Texas, and Florida.
What People Are Saying
Apple states:
“Digital ID leverages the privacy and security features of iPhone and Apple Watch to help protect against tampering and theft. Digital ID data is encrypted and stored only on the device, and Apple cannot see when, where, or how an ID is used.”
They add, “Face ID or Touch ID ensures only the owner can present their ID, and users review exactly what information is shared before it’s sent. There’s no need to unlock, show, or hand over the device, and users are only ever sharing the information necessary.”
Looking Ahead
Apple plans to expand the Digital ID beyond airports soon. The feature will enable users to confirm their identity or age at participating businesses, online services, and mobile apps, further increasing its convenience and utility.
Stay tuned for updates as this innovative feature rolls out to more states and new use cases become available.
https://www.newsweek.com/how-tsa-will-use-apples-new-digital-id-11040813