iOS 26's New U.S. Passport Feature is Still Not Available - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

iOS 26's New U.S. Passport Feature is Still Not Available

by

iOS 26 will be widely released tomorrow, but the new feature that lets you add a digital version of your U.S. passport to Apple's Wallet app is still not available.

ios 26 digital id passport wallet
The "Digital ID" feature is not functional in the iOS 26 Release Candidate, which is typically the final beta version, despite being listed on the iOS 26 features page in the present tense. Hopefully, it is either enabled with a server-side update when iOS 26 is released tomorrow, or Apple provides an update on when it will be available.

Apple did not immediately respond to our request for comment.

After creating a Digital ID in the Wallet app, you will be able to present it in person at TSA checkpoints in select U.S. airports for identity verification purposes during domestic travel. However, Apple says it is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel and border crossing purposes.

Apple says the Digital ID feature is secure, private, and compliant with REAL ID.

The passport-based Digital ID can also be used for age and identity verification in apps, online, and in stores, according to Apple.

Apple said the feature would also be available on the Apple Watch, starting with watchOS 26.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Tag: Apple Wallet
Related Forum: iOS 26

Popular Stories

bmw car key photo

iPhone Car Keys in Apple Wallet Expanding to Three More Vehicle Brands

Tuesday September 15, 2026 6:35 am PDT by
Apple Wallet car keys are coming to three more vehicle brands, including Lincoln, Lucid Motors, and China's Freelander, according to code uncovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. However, the code does not provide a timeframe for availability. The digital key feature allows you to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. It is already offered by...
Read Full Article • 16 comments
iOS 26 6 2

Apple Releases iOS 26.6.2

Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:47 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 26.6.2 with a fix for "an issue that prevents downloading a software update over a cellular connection." The minor software update is rolling out now for the iPhone 11 series and newer. To update your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. It might take a few minutes for the update to be visible to everyone. iOS 26.6.2 arrives...
Read Full Article • 94 comments
ios 26 7

Apple Releases iOS 26.7 With Security Fixes

Monday September 14, 2026 10:32 am PDT by
Alongside iOS 27, Apple today released iOS 26.7, an update to the existing iOS 26 software. Users who check for new software will see iOS 26.7 as the default update, with iOS 27 listed as an option at the bottom of the Software Update interface. According to Apple's release notes, iOS 26.7 includes security fixes, but it does not have any other features. Apple will eventually show iOS 27 ...
Read Full Article • 61 comments

Top Rated Comments

J
jole
13 months ago
As long as digital IDs continue to have "you should still carry physical ID card" or something along those lines in the terms of service, the value remains 0.

For example: I do have a digital California DL (both the Apple Wallet and DMV app versions). They sometimes are accepted at TSA checkpoints. Sometimes they are not. With this, I would never go to airport without a physical ID.

Either it is accepted 100% of the time or it is useless.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
J
jaytv111
13 months ago

As long as digital IDs continue to have "you should still carry physical ID card" or something along those lines in the terms of service, the value remains 0.

For example: I do have a digital California DL (both the Apple Wallet and DMV app versions). They sometimes are accepted at TSA checkpoints. Sometimes they are not. With this, I would never go to airport without a physical ID.

Either it is accepted 100% of the time or it is useless.
No one is saying you can go without a physical ID card. It’s not useless because sometimes it can be used; however since the tech is new it still has times when the readers aren’t working, or the TSA agents don’t know the system, or whatever.

This is like going back to 2015 and saying if Apple Pay isn’t accepted 100% of the time it’s useless. And it still isn’t accepted at Walmart! Stupid Walmart.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Justin Cymbal Avatar
Justin Cymbal
13 months ago
This is such an awesome new feature that Apple has added to iOS 26

I currently live in Rhode Island, and we don’t have the mobile drivers license feature (as of yet) but the ability to use a passport in place of a drivers license at the airports that do accept this feature will be great to have

I fly to Cleveland Hopkins airport pretty regularly to visit my relatives so I’ll be able to use this when I fly there in the future
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
al256 Avatar
al256
13 months ago

As long as digital IDs continue to have "you should still carry physical ID card" or something along those lines in the terms of service, the value remains 0.

For example: I do have a digital California DL (both the Apple Wallet and DMV app versions). They sometimes are accepted at TSA checkpoints. Sometimes they are not. With this, I would never go to airport without a physical ID.

Either it is accepted 100% of the time or it is useless.
You can also use it for apps and web apps to verify your age.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gtmead09 Avatar
gtmead09
13 months ago

Well, iOS 26 Developer Beta and Public Beta have been nightmares, and the Release Candidate is nowhere near being ready for release.
This is not accurate, been using it since beta 4 and currently on the RC. Some things here and there, but is is no where near a nightmare. It is ready to go tomorrow and I would imagine a .0.1 will follow in a week or two.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G
George Bailey
13 months ago

My Pixel has this capability for years now
That's "years" as in (maybe) 0.8 years.


* December 2024: The feature began its broader rollout to eligible Android users.
* April 2025: Google confirmed an expansion of digital ID support, noting that the ID pass from a U.S. passport could be used at supported TSA checkpoints for domestic travel.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments