Apple Confirms iOS 26 Digital ID Passport Feature Arrives in 2025

iPhone screen showing the iOS 26 Digital ID passport feature inside the Apple Wallet app, confirming a verified U.S. passport for identity verification.

Apple has officially confirmed that the long-awaited Digital ID passport feature in iOS 26 will launch later in 2025. The update will allow U.S. passport holders to add their passports directly into the Wallet app for secure, digital use. On its official iOS 26 feature page, Apple revised the rollout wording to: “Digital ID will be coming later this year with U.S. passports only,” confirming that the feature is on its way but removing mention of a specific software update version.

While the feature isn’t yet visible in the iOS 26 developer beta, it’s expected to debut in a later release — possibly iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2 — before the end of the year. This new addition builds on Apple’s existing digital driver’s license integration and represents a major step forward for secure mobile identity.

The iOS 26 Digital ID passport will let iPhone users scan and store their passports within the Wallet app using encrypted, on-device storage. The system leverages biometric verification via Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate users. Once set up, a digital passport can be used in place of a physical one for domestic air travel at TSA checkpoints where the feature is supported.

To set it up, users will scan their physical passport using their iPhone’s camera, complete biometric verification, and wait for the encrypted credential to be approved. Apple highlights that all data remains private and encrypted — users retain full control over what information is shared and with whom.

At launch, the Digital ID passport will be available only for U.S. passports and limited to domestic use. It cannot replace a physical passport for international travel or border crossings. Early adoption is expected at select TSA checkpoints across the U.S., with more airports likely to join as the program expands.

Beyond air travel, the Digital ID passport will also function with the Verify with Wallet feature. This means users can prove their identity or age within apps, websites, and stores that support Apple’s secure verification system — all without sharing unnecessary personal data.

Apple’s growing list of partners for digital identity already includes Uber Eats, Turo, Chime, and U.S. Bank, along with participating state DMVs in Arizona, Georgia, and Maryland. Expanding digital ID support to passports could significantly accelerate adoption of digital credentials across the U.S.

Industry experts see this move as part of a broader digital identity trend. By integrating official IDs into Wallet, Apple is positioning the iPhone as a central hub for identity management, just as it became for payments and tickets in previous years. Privacy, convenience, and interoperability remain Apple’s top priorities, ensuring users can share verified identity data without sacrificing control.

For now, Apple emphasizes that the Digital ID passport in iOS 26 is a U.S.-only feature. The company hasn’t confirmed any international rollout, but many analysts expect expansion to other countries once regulatory frameworks allow it.

The introduction of a digital passport in iOS 26 represents another leap in Apple’s mission to simplify and secure everyday experiences. With Wallet already storing credit cards, car keys, tickets, and IDs, adding passports feels like a natural next step — and could eventually make physical identification obsolete for most domestic travelers.