The Essentials
Digital Passports Are Speeding Up TSA Lines
There’s a new way to get through TSA checkpoints faster, and the solution may already be in your pocket. A growing number of TSA airport locations across the U.S. now accept digital passports stored in your Apple or Google Wallet. And these serve as a Real ID compliant ID for domestic flights.
How does it work? It’s not a photo of your passport. It’s an encrypted, verified version issued through your phone. When you tap at TSA, only the information needed to identify you is shared, and all this can take less than two minutes.
On Apple, open Wallet, tap the plus sign, select “Add ID,” scan your passport, and confirm with Face ID. On Google, open Wallet, tap “Add to Wallet,” choose “ID,” scan your passport, and verify with the camera.
And where can you use it? Almost every major U.S. airport, from LAX to Atlanta, Dallas–Fort Worth, Miami, Denver, Boston and dozens more. But remember, for international travel, you still need to carry your physical passport.