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Apple Joins Google in Offering Passport-Based Digital ID

Nov 12, 2025, 2:33 PM by Rich Brome @rbrome.bsky.social

Apple is launching a new type of digital identification for iPhone (and Apple Watch) that it calls simply "Digital ID". It is based on the user's existing passport and can be used in place of a Real ID at TSA checkpoints for domestic travel. (It does not replace a passport for international travel.) "At launch, Digital ID acceptance will roll out first in beta at TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports in the U.S. ... with additional Digital ID acceptance use cases to come in the future." Not all TSA checkpoints can accept this type of ID yet. Google's Android already supports this unique type of ID — which they call "ID pass" — having announced it over a year ago. On both Android and iOS, the system works the same way: To set it up, you scan your passport with your phone's camera, scan the NFC chip in the passport, and take a moving selfie to verify identity. To use it, just tap the NFC reader at the checkpoint and confirm the requested info to share with TSA. (Your phone stays in your hand.)

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SunnyB

Nov 12, 2025, 5:18 PM

but...

when you travel internationally, hotels and other places will ask for your passport. Since you will have to take your passport anyway for such occasions, this doesn't seem to save anything.

gloopey1

Perhaps not now, but eventually our phones will contain all of our cards and other items of importance. Physical wallets will become a thing of the past, along with physical currency.

Rich Brome

It's not intended for international travel at all.

"...can be used in place of a Real ID at TSA checkpoints for domestic travel. (It does not replace a passport for international travel.)"

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Apple Joins Google in Offering Passport-Based Digital ID

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