Apple is making its Wallet similar to a digital passport — but don’t expect to fly internationally without a physical passport just yet.
On Wednesday the company launched Digital ID, a way to securely and privately present your ID in Apple Wallet.
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The new feature is launching as a very limited beta. Initially it will be available in the US only for domestic travel, delivered to TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports across the country.
To create a digital ID, users will have to scan their US passport. To do this, open Wallet on your iPhone, tap the Add + button at the top of the screen, choose a driver’s license or ID card, then choose Digital ID and follow the instructions.
The process involves scanning your passport with your iPhone, then scanning the chip embedded in the passport, and sometimes completing a series of facial and head movements (such as closing your eyes) during setup.
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Instead of scanning your passport, you’ll be able to scan your digital ID at select TSA checkpoint locations.
Credit: Apple
When presenting a digital ID (for example, at a TSA checkpoint), you’ll need to double-click the iPhone’s side button to open Wallet and select your digital ID, hold your iPhone near an identification reader, and then use Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate. This process also works with Wallet on Apple Watch.
Apple points out that right now, you can’t use Digital ID to travel internationally.
This is just a start for Digital ID, but Apple has big plans for the feature. For example, in the future you may be able to present your ID to prove your age at a location where it is required, and you will be able to use it for identity verification in some apps.
The advantage of using Apple’s digital ID compared to a physical ID is that the location that’s reading it can only verify certain data, like your age and photo, but they don’t get to see all the data on the ID.
The feature is based on Apple’s digital driver licenses and state IDs, which are set to launch in 2022. These can already be added to wallets in 12 US states, as well as Puerto Rico.