US Digital Passport Is (Almost) cleared to Fly 

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Byte-Sized Summary: 

• U.S. passports can be added to Apple Wallet starting fall 2025. 

• Works with iPhone or Apple Watch. 

• For now, only valid for domestic flights. 

Boarding the Future 

Beginning this fall, navigating TSA lines may get a bit smoother — at least for Apple users. With the launch of iOS 26, Apple will introduce a long-awaited feature: the ability to store a U.S. passport digitally in Apple Wallet. It’s a step toward a more frictionless future, one where boarding passes, hotel keys, and now identity documents coexist on a single device. 

The rollout comes just in time. With REAL ID enforcement in place at select Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, digital identification is no longer theoretical. Apple is responding to a very real moment — and a growing appetite for paperless convenience. 

But as with all digital revolutions, there’s fine print. 

Not for International Use — Yet 

Let’s be clear: You’ll still need your physical passport for international travel. The digital version will be accepted only at participating TSA checkpoints for domestic flights. And acceptance isn’t universal just yet — only select airports and terminals will support it. 

Even domestically, compatibility depends on where you live and what you carry in your pocket. Most U.S. users will need an iPhone 8 or newer running iOS 16.5 or above. Californians will need at least an iPhone XS and iOS 17.5. Puerto Rican travelers face the steepest requirements: iPhone XS and iOS 18.1 or later. 

Apple vs. Google: The Digital ID Race 

Apple’s move also marks a strategic escalation in its quiet war with Google. Google Wallet has already begun supporting digital passports in both the U.S. and the U.K., signaling a broader global ambition. By adding U.S. passport integration, Apple Wallet is narrowing the gap — but only on home turf, for now. 

The Bottom Line 

For travelers eager to leave paper behind, this is a meaningful step. Starting in fall 2025, Apple users will be able to upload their U.S. passports to Apple Wallet, giving them one more reason to tap rather than unzip. 

Just don’t throw out the passport book quite yet.