Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Apple Pay and Wallet, revealed earlier at the Money20/20 financial conference in Las Vegas, that iPhone users in the United States will soon be able to scan their physical US passports and add them to the Apple Wallet app, making them digital IDs that comply with the US "REAL ID" Act.
This move is Apple's continued expansion of its wallet function, making it not only limited to payment functions, but also widely used inIdentity recognition fieldPrior to this, some states in the United States already allowed users to add their driver's licenses to Apple Wallet. Jennifer Bailey said that Apple's goal is to allow Wallet to integrate more daily necessities, including concert tickets, student ID cards, house keys, car keys, etc.
What if your phone could replace everything in your wallet? Jennifer Bailey, VP of Apple Wallet and Apple Pay, says that's exactly where we're headed. Loyalty cards, tickets, keys, student IDs – Apple's making it happen. #Money2020USA pic.twitter.com/DZliENRFRn
— Money20/20 (@money2020) October 27, 2025
How to operate: Take a photo of your physical passport and add it to your wallet
According to the description, when this feature is officially launched, iPhone users can take a photo of their physical US passport and add it to the Wallet app to create a digital ID that meets the REAL ID standard. REAL ID is a mandatory identification requirement for boarding flights and entering some federal facilities within the United States.
Application scenario: Simplifying the TSA inspection process for domestic flights in the United States
In the future, passengers holding this digital passport will be able to present their digital ID stored on their iPhone or Apple Watch at participating Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints when boarding domestic flights in the United States, replacing their physical passport for identity verification.
Important restrictions: Physical passports are still required for international travel and land border crossings
However, Apple also clarified the limitations of this digital passport. It cannot currently be used for international travel, even to neighboring Canada or Mexico. Similarly, a physical US passport is still required when crossing land borders between the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Safety concerns: Risk considerations behind convenience
While storing your passport in Apple Wallet offers convenience, the Identity Management Institute, a global organization for identity and access management, points out that digital IDs also come with potential risks, including security breaches, identity theft, data privacy issues, and significant risks posed by lost devices.
The organization recommends that users of digital IDs take several precautions, which also apply to all online activities, including:
• Use a strong and unique password or PIN.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
• Keep your devices and software up to date.
• Be wary of websites that conduct digital transactions or use digital IDs and verify their legitimacy.
Obviously, while enjoying the convenience of digital certificates, how to ensure the security of personal information will be an issue that users and platform providers need to face together.
