Apple Digital ID
Apple (MacRumors, Hacker News, The Verge):
Apple today announced the launch of Digital ID, a new way for users to create an ID in Apple Wallet using information from their U.S. passport, and present it with the security and privacy of iPhone or Apple Watch. At launch, Digital ID acceptance will roll out first in beta at TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports in the U.S. for in-person identity verification during domestic travel, with additional Digital ID acceptance use cases to come in the future.
Digital ID gives more people a way to create and present an ID in Apple Wallet even if they do not have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID. 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.
[…]
In the future, users will be able to present their Digital ID at additional select businesses and organizations for identity and age verification in person, in apps, and online.
I find this a bit confusing. Who, other than a minor, has a passport but no state ID? It’s based on your passport but can only be used domestically? How do I know which airports will support this? Does it work for checking in, too, or only for TSA? With Apple Watch, it seems useful in that I wouldn’t have to get my ID out of my wallet and make sure that I get it back from the agent. I don’t see how it makes sense for iPhone, though. When I get to the TSA desk, my phone and wallet are already in my bag, ready to go in the scanner. So it seems like handing my ID over would be easier than using my phone. Also, in the event that I get separated from my bag, I don’t really like the idea of only having the digital watch ID on my person.
Previously:
Update (2025-11-13): Anonymous, answering my question about who doesn’t have a state ID:
The US expat population is larger than the population of half the US states. If I were flying domestically, I would much rather use an Apple Digital ID than my US passport. As an expat, I get hassled by TSA, or more often border patrol, on a regular basis. With Apple Digital ID, I’m no longer an expat, just another tech bro.
Update (2025-12-03): Matt Birchler:
See, I did drive a few places without my wallet, and felt free! I was a bit worried that if I was stopped, the cop would not know what to do with it since it was just released. I haven’t been pulled over in well over a decade, but it was still on my mind. But okay, that’s fine, it’ll sort itself over time.
But then I bought some Draino and needed to prove my age. I can’t flash my digital ID to the cashier and they certainly don’t have an NFC reader for me to tap and prove my age.
And then I went to Best Buy to pick up an online order, and they needed to see a photo ID to validate I was who I said I was. The digital ID has no photo, and again, they don’t have hardware for me to tap my phone.
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I think it’s still early days… this can’t replace our physical IDs yet, obviously. But I think over time, maybe in 5-10 years, we’ll start seeing how this can be helpful. If all you need is your phone, and can leave your wallet and keys at home, that will be ideal.
I think the key is being REAL ID compliant. I think every state now offers real ID compliant drivers licenses and ID cards, but some states were real slow in rolling them out. With that and some states ID cards that don’t expire for a long time, there might be still people who don’t have a REAL ID compliant card
This is just the chicken (or the egg) to getting everyone enrolled in an electronic government ID.
I don't think it's a coincidence that so many things in the arena of verified electronic IDs is happening at the same time.
All for the children's protection, of course.
The US expat population is larger than the population of half the US states. If I were flying domestically, I would much rather use an Apple Digital ID than my US passport. As an expat, I get hassled by TSA, or more often border patrol, on a regular basis. With Apple Digital ID, I'm no longer an expat, just another tech bro.
@ bart >>This is just the chicken (or the egg) to getting everyone enrolled in an electronic government ID.<<
Aren't we all enrolled in an electronic government ID already? The government have it all collated electronically its just that the citizens are currently only given paper versions.
As someone who had their wallet (with ID) stolen in Las Vegas a couple weeks ago, this would have saved me so much time going through TSA to get home without ID as my state doesn't participate in digital ID yet. I did have a photo of my drivers license on my phone and had to go through additional TSA screening (after a few hours on the phone figuring out how I was going to get home).
One advantage of this approach is that it improves privacy. From the link:
"Only the information needed for a transaction is presented, and the user has the opportunity to review and authorize the information being requested with Face ID or Touch ID before it is shared."
This is better than showing a physical ID, since that provides access to all the information on the ID.
I'm guessing it might be used to login on-line?
I just applied to move my mortage to another bank and everything was done on-line using eID. Two different banks and my company payrollsystem. Then me and my wife signed everything as well.
@Plume I assume that only pertains to age verification because in Apple’s example it looks like they give the TSA everything except the place of birth.
I still don't have Real ID. I was offered the option but if I wanted to get it I would have had to go in person to the DMV but I was able to renew my license without Real ID from the comfort of my home.
I don’t have a Real ID. Here in NC, when you look up official information anout it online, you are sent to a form that asks questions to determine if you should get one.
One of the questions is “do you have a passport?”
If you do, the site says you shouldn’t bother getting a Real ID
"I wonder how many elderly folk continue needing an ID after they lose their drivers license."
Speaking as someone who flies with my elderly mother: any elderly person who still wants to fly, as one population.
The Apple support document clarifies that this is only available for US residents: https://support.apple.com/123719
Expats stay out!
> I find this a bit confusing. Who, other than a minor, has a passport but no state ID?
Notably, only a dozen or so states currently support digital IDs, whereas anyone from any state could add a passport-based digital ID to their Apple Wallet.
