Imagine breezing through airport security without ever touching a passport. No more rummaging through bags or fumbling for documents at the TSA checkpoint. Apple is turning this vision into reality. Apple stated in its newsroom that soon, iPhone users in the US will be able to store their passports digitally in the Wallet app. The move promises a future where a smartphone could be as much a key to your identity as it is a communication device.As per apple.com, “With REAL ID implementation in effect, at launch, Digital ID provides another way for users to conveniently and securely present an ID in person at select TSA checkpoints for identity verification purposes during domestic travel. Digital ID is not a replacement for a physical passport, and cannot be used for international travel and border crossing in lieu of a U.S. passport. Like all IDs in Apple Wallet, this new solution takes advantage of the privacy and security features already built into iPhone and Apple Watch.”

The concept is simple but groundbreaking. With digital passports in Apple Wallet, travellers will be able to verify their identity using just their iPhone at select TSA checkpoints. Apple emphasizes security: the system relies on encrypted storage and biometric verification, ensuring that only the owner can access or share their credentials. This digital credential doesn’t entirely replace the physical passport, especially for international travel, but it represents a major step toward a streamlined, paperless travel experience.Additionally, the TSA’s Digital ID program outlines that travelers can use their Digital ID at more than 250 airports to verify their identity at TSA checkpoints through platforms such as Apple Wallet.Read more: Photos: Superstar Rajnikanth seen meditating peacefully inside a cave in UttarakhandThe company has been exploring ways for iPhones to replace traditional IDs like driver’s licenses and passports. Numerous patent filings detail the technology necessary to confirm a user’s identity via biometric authentication and securely store it on a mobile device. Now, the company has signaled that the launch of digital passports is imminent.Apple’s plan for digital passports builds on its existing work with digital drivers’ licenses, which have been slowly rolling out across the US. States like Arizona and Georgia have already begun supporting digital driver’s licenses in Wallet. Once passports are added, it is expected that support will expand nationwide, offering a unified digital identity solution for US travelers.The implications of this development extend beyond convenience. It positions the iPhone as a trusted digital gatekeeper, capable of carrying sensitive personal information securely. By integrating passports into Wallets, Apple is redefining what a smartphone can do, moving from a tool for communication and payments to a central hub for identity verification. While traditional documents will still be necessary for international travel for now, the system marks a significant step toward paperless identity management, aligning with broader trends in digital ID adoption globally.Read more: What! Top Delhi malls to close down due to water shortage? Fact check Security will remain central. Apple’s patent filings emphasize biometric authentication, ensuring that only the rightful owner can access the digital passport. Encrypted storage further safeguards the credential, minimizing the risk of data theft or unauthorized access. These measures aim to make digital passports not just convenient but also trustworthy for everyday use in airports and beyond.In short, Apple is set to take a major leap in digital identity by allowing iPhone users to store their passports in Wallet. While this doesn’t replace the physical passport entirely, it will likely make life easier for travellers navigating TSA checkpoints and signals a future where smartphones may hold more than just money or apps, they could hold your very identity. With the year drawing to a close, iPhone owners in the US may soon experience a small but transformative step toward the paperless, streamlined travel future that Apple has long envisioned.