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Apple Delays iOS 26's New U.S. Passport Feature

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iOS 26 was widely released today, but the new feature that lets you add a digital version of your U.S. passport to Apple's Wallet app has been delayed.

ios 26 digital id passport wallet
Apple updated its iOS 26 features page today to indicate that the "Digital ID" feature for U.S. passports will be coming in a later software update:

Digital ID will be available in a software update with U.S. passports only.

Apple did not mention a specific version, but hopefully the feature arrives in iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2.

Until now, the feature had been listed on the iOS 26 page in the present tense.

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.

It will also be possible to use the Digital ID feature for age and identity verification in apps, online, and in stores, according to Apple.

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

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Top Rated Comments

bailsafe Avatar
bailsafe
11 months ago

Absolutely no way would I travel without a physical passport. The fun of traveling to a rural hotel in Croatia when they ask for your passport and you show your iphone. Really bad idea. Even an American airport would probably freak.
That's not what this feature is intended for, and they're very clear about that.

"However, Apple says it is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel and border crossing purposes."
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robert.Walter Avatar
Robert.Walter
11 months ago

The convenience is nice.

But in the current climate you would be a fool to hand, show or even unlock your device anywhere near a US law enforcement officer.

Paper boarding passes and passports all the way.
Please read and inform yourself about how this works.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robert.Walter Avatar
Robert.Walter
11 months ago

As cool as it is to live in the future, I have yet to go through a TSA checkpoint that was equipped to scan my digital ID. YMMV
This is how it was with Apple Pay in 2015. Now (except for evil Walmart) Apple Pay is ubiquitous.


Nothing of significant complexity is ever built in a day.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yukari Avatar
yukari
11 months ago

My state allows digital IDs on phones. I have one, but I will never ever use it in front of law enforcement officers. It's a bad idea to hand over your iphone to any leo. For example, during a traffic stop, you hand over your iphone to a leo. He may access not only your ID but also your photos, emails, and instagram. Since you've voluntarily handed over and unlocked your phone, it may be legal for them view its contents. This applies to digital passports.

I will keep a digital passport in my phone just in case, but I will never use it.
You do NOT hand over your phone. They are suppose to have a device where you simply tap (like using a credit card in Apple Wallet).

Why do people keep thinking you have to hand over the phone???
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
jz0309
11 months ago

Disappointing Apple, very disappointing.
Do you know that the delay is on Apples dime or on the government's???
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
What_Is_George Avatar
What_Is_George
11 months ago

As cool as it is to live in the future, I have yet to go through a TSA checkpoint that was equipped to scan my digital ID. YMMV
I have, and it is kinda cool. I like the idea that it can’t get scanned by anything else and no one looks at my id. However the returning airport didn’t have it and if it was all I brought I would have been screwed.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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