250 US airports now accept digital passports: Here’s how to use yours

Google Wallet added support for digital passports in 2024, and Apple Wallet gained digital passport support last year. Whether you use an iPhone or an Android phone, you can add your U.S. passport to your phone's digital wallet app. The two largest mobile operating systems finally support this feature, but now, it's up to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to accept digital passports at security checkpoints. Surprisingly, the TSA rose to the challenge — it already accepts digital IDs at more than 250 airport checkpoints.

There's a bit more to the process of adding a passport to a digital wallet app than, say, loading up a boarding pass or concert tickets. You need the right documents and must complete an identity verification process. By using a digital ID, you also consent to using TSA's facial comparison technology as you go through a checkpoint or board a plane. Here's what you need to know about using a digital U.S. passport to fly, from the setup process to the fine print.

What to know about digital passports

They're widely supported, but keep your physical copy close

There isn't a universal standard for digital IDs, which makes compatibility complicated. There are numerous implementations of digital state IDs and driver's licenses, and the TSA website lists every mobile identification type accepted at airport security checkpoints. However, we're only talking about U.S. passports here, simplifying matters. There are only three kinds of digital passports TSA security checkpoints accept: Google Wallet, Apple Wallet, and Clear ID. Crucially, security checkpoints at U.S. airports will only accept digital passports issued by the United States, and only for domestic flights.

By using a digital ID of any kind, including a passport, you consent to the TSA using biometric cameras to verify your identity. This system uses facial comparison technology to confirm that your photo matches the one on your ID. It's optional, but if you decline biometric verification, you must present your physical ID card or passport. The only way to use a digital passport with Google Wallet, Apple Wallet, or Clear ID is to also participate in the TSA's facial comparison technology program.

Finally, it's worth noting that you can only have one passport digitally stored on a device at a time. If you want to switch to another device, you will need to first remove the digital passport and restart the setup process. Everyone needs their own device, and even people with large families can't save multiple digital passports to the same one.

Adding a passport to Apple or Google Wallet is easy

Your identity will be verified, and you can only add one to a device

Before getting to the airport, you need to add your U.S. passport to the Apple Wallet or Google Wallet app. This process isn't instant, and it will take at least a few minutes for your identity to be verified before the digital passport is ready to use. Apple and Google both require a scan of your passport and its NFC chip to confirm its authenticity, plus a video selfie to confirm the person adding the pass is its owner.

If you’re using the Google Wallet app, start by tapping the + button for Add to Wallet. Press ID as the kind of pass and choose ID pass. Follow the on-screen instructions to scan and verify your passport, including the capture of a video selfie. Wait for the pass to be confirmed and added to your phone. Then, it will be ready for use at TSA checkpoints.

The process is slightly different for iPhone users, who will need to open the Apple Wallet app and tap the + button to start. Tap the Driver's License and ID Cards button and choose Digital ID (U.S. Passport). From there, follow the steps onscreen to confirm the pass and add it to your Apple Wallet. Since this is a relatively new feature for iPhone owners, they’ll need to be running iOS 26.1 or later on an iPhone 11 or newer to use a digital passport.

How to show your digital passport at the airport

Don't stress — at most US airports, they're accepted like other documents

Showing your digital passport to a TSA agent is as simple as buying a coffee with contactless payments in your preferred wallet app. The technology primarily uses the NFC chip in your phone to authenticate your digital passport. So, you should only have to tap your ID on the TSA scanner when instructed by the security agent. Alternatively, you can tap the QR code button in the top-right corner of the Google Wallet app to present a code for scanning. The TSA agent will provide further instructions as necessary, but it's really as simple as that.

If you want a deeper dive, the entire mobile ID experience at TSA checkpoints is powered by second-generation Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2). This system uses a combination of hardware and software to scan a physical or digital ID and compare it against real-time biometric data and boarding pass information. It's the reason why using a digital passport requires you to let the TSA take your photo — it's a necessary part of the process.

Keep your physical passport nearby while moving through a TSA checkpoint, because you can hit a few snags along the way. Since CAT-2 equipment is at the heart of the TSA's digital ID program, it is also the reason why things can go sideways. If a security checkpoint's CAT-2 machines are not working, or if the TSA agent you encounter is not CAT-2 trained, you will be asked to present your physical ID. Of course, a physical ID also comes in handy in the event your phone dies or something goes wrong with the Apple or Google Wallet digital passport presentation.

Otherwise, using a digital passport at more than 250 U.S. airports is actually as easy as buying a coffee with Google or Apple Pay, if you take the time to set everything up beforehand.