Digital IDs are here, and they're changing the game! Apple has just launched its much-anticipated Digital ID feature in Apple Wallet, allowing you to create and present your ID right from your iPhone. This is a huge leap forward, but how does it work, and what does it mean for you? Let's dive in!
This new feature uses your U.S. passport to create a secure Digital ID.
Here’s how to get started:
- Open the Wallet app on your iPhone.
- Tap the Add (+) button in the upper-right corner.
- Choose “Driver’s License or ID Cards.”
- Select “Digital ID” and follow the on-screen instructions.
During setup, you'll take a picture of your passport and use your iPhone to read the embedded chip. You'll also need to verify your identity with a selfie and some simple head movements. Once complete, your Digital ID will appear in your Apple Wallet within minutes.
But here's where it gets interesting: Apple emphasizes the security and privacy of this feature. Your passport data is stored on your device, encrypted, and Apple can't track where or when you use your ID. Plus, Face ID or Touch ID ensures only you can present it. Only the essential information is shared, unlike when you hand over your physical ID, potentially revealing more personal data than necessary.
This isn't just a digital copy of your passport; it's a Digital ID created using your passport information.
Where can you use it?
Currently, Digital ID is accepted at TSA checkpoints in over 250 U.S. airports for domestic travel. For international flights, you'll still need your physical passport.
To present your Digital ID, double-click the side or Home button to access Apple Wallet, select your Digital ID, and hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader. Then, authorize with Face ID or Touch ID.
Apple promises more uses in the future, including at select businesses and organizations, as well as online and in apps. Imagine verifying your age for alcohol purchases in apps like Uber Eats.
Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s VP of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, notes that this expansion builds on the success of adding driver's licenses to Wallet, providing users with a secure and convenient way to manage their IDs.
And this is the part most people miss... The Digital ID feature works regardless of whether you have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license.
Digital ID support complements the existing ability to add driver’s licenses in select states. While the Digital ID feature is available to anyone with a passport in the U.S., driver’s license support is currently limited to 12 states and Puerto Rico.
This is a significant step forward, especially given the slow adoption of mobile driver’s licenses by many states. Apple's solution allows anyone with a passport to participate, regardless of their state's progress.
Controversy & Comment Hooks: What are your thoughts on this new Digital ID feature? Do you see it as a convenient upgrade or a potential privacy concern? Share your opinions in the comments below! Would you be comfortable using a digital ID?
