Speaking at the Money20/20 USA fintech conference on October 27, Apple Wallet chief Jennifer Bailey told attendees that the long-awaited ability to add a digital copy of a U.S. passport to the iPhone “is coming very soon.” The company removed the “software-update required” footnote from its iOS 26 features page and now says only that the capability will arrive “later this year.”
The digital-ID feature will initially work at select TSA checkpoints for domestic flights—mirroring how some states already allow digital driver’s licenses. Although it will not substitute for a physical passport at international borders, the change is expected to streamline airport security for frequent domestic travelers and business flyers who prefer to leave physical documents in secured luggage.
For mobility managers, Apple’s move signals a broader shift toward mobile identity verification that could eventually integrate with airline apps, hotel check-in and corporate-badging systems. Early adopters should review their travel-risk policies to ensure employees understand the feature’s limitations and continue to carry physical ID when required.
Privacy experts say Apple’s device-side credential encryption and user-consent architecture exceed many state DMV standards, but companies will still need to train assignees on best practices: keep devices updated, enable Face ID and disable lock-screen previews to prevent shoulder-surfing of boarding-pass or passport data.
The digital-ID feature will initially work at select TSA checkpoints for domestic flights—mirroring how some states already allow digital driver’s licenses. Although it will not substitute for a physical passport at international borders, the change is expected to streamline airport security for frequent domestic travelers and business flyers who prefer to leave physical documents in secured luggage.
For mobility managers, Apple’s move signals a broader shift toward mobile identity verification that could eventually integrate with airline apps, hotel check-in and corporate-badging systems. Early adopters should review their travel-risk policies to ensure employees understand the feature’s limitations and continue to carry physical ID when required.
Privacy experts say Apple’s device-side credential encryption and user-consent architecture exceed many state DMV standards, but companies will still need to train assignees on best practices: keep devices updated, enable Face ID and disable lock-screen previews to prevent shoulder-surfing of boarding-pass or passport data.
