TSA Check (Representative Image)
Photo : iStock
The new Digital ID will be accepted at TSA checkpoints within the US only. “While not a replacement for your physical passport, digital ID can be used for domestic travel and at supported TSA checkpoints,” an Apple spokesperson said, according to USA TODAY.
Apple says that the feature will allow users to securely store and show their ID using their iPhone or Apple Watch. Users will be able to create and add a Digital ID using their US passport. The Wallet app is also getting a design update to improve boarding pass features and travel use, as per NYP.
The TSA has emphasised that the digital passport is for domestic use only. “It is important to have the physical US Passport available in case it is needed, and a physical US Passport is still required for international travel,” the agency told SF Gate.
The rollout comes just weeks after the May 7 Real ID enforcement deadline, which caused confusion among travelers. As per NYP, some people tried to bypass the rules with misinformation, including a rumor that Costco cards could be used for airport ID.
The TSA shut down the rumor, stating, “We love hotdogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a Real ID because it absolutely does not.”
So, Apple’s new passport feature is a step to make things easier for people, but travelers still need to keep the physical passport on hand, especially for international trips.
