By Staff Reporter
With the holiday travel season approaching, iPhone users can now store their US passport in Apple Wallet using Apple’s new Digital ID feature. The beta rollout allows travelers to use their digital passport at TSA checkpoints for domestic flights if they don’t have a Real ID, covering more than 250 US airports.
Apple stresses that Digital ID does not replace a physical passport and cannot be used for international travel or border crossings.
The company already allows users in 12 states and Puerto Rico to add driver’s licenses or state IDs to Apple Wallet, while TSA accepts some form of digital ID in at least 16 states and Puerto Rico.
According to TSA, using Digital ID can make airport screening faster and more secure, letting travellers breeze through checkpoints with Face ID or Touch ID on their iPhone or Apple Watch.
Open Wallet – Tap the plus (+) sign at the top of the app and select Digital ID. If it doesn’t appear, search for “Digital ID” in the Wallet app.
Scan your passport – Use your iPhone to scan the photo page of your passport. Then, authenticate the chip embedded on the back page.
Verify your identity – Take a selfie and complete a series of facial and head movements, such as turning your head or blinking, to confirm your identity.
Add to Wallet – Once verification is complete, your Digital ID is added to Apple Wallet.
How to use Digital ID
Presenting your Digital ID works similarly to Apple Pay:
Double-click the side or Home button to open Wallet.
Select Digital ID from your cards.
Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader at TSA.
Review the requested information, such as name and date of birth.
Authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID.
Security and privacy
Apple says all passport data is encrypted and stored on the device, and the company cannot see when or where your Digital ID is used, or what information is shared. Biometric authentication ensures only the ID owner can present it.
Users do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to present the ID. Only the information required for the transaction is shared, keeping the process private and secure.
Where you can use mobile IDs
Currently, more than a dozen US states accept some form of mobile ID at airport checkpoints, including:
Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico.
Travellers can check the TSA website for the latest list and details.
Source: Gulf News
