{"id":279962,"date":"2025-11-08T20:22:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T20:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/279962\/"},"modified":"2025-11-08T20:22:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T20:22:08","slug":"tsa-makes-it-official-apple-wallet-and-google-wallet-now-work-as-official-id-at-u-s-airports-but-with-a-key-caveat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/279962\/","title":{"rendered":"TSA makes it official – Apple Wallet and Google Wallet now work as official ID at U.S. airports, but with a key caveat"},"content":{"rendered":"

The TSA has just issued a warning<\/a> because yes, technology is very cool and we love it, but for now you still have to travel with your physical document. There have been dozens of cases where travelers thought that by having their license or Real ID on their phone (yes, you can do that!!!) using Apple, Google, or Samsung Wallet, they no longer needed to carry the original document with them.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s explain this step by step. Yes, you can now carry your documents<\/a> on your phone and avoid having your wallet full of papers, but when it comes to traveling, you still need your physical license, and the reason is very clear: the scanners still don\u2019t work perfectly, and not being able to identify yourself correctly could mean you miss your flight.<\/p>\n

The era of digital IDs<\/p>\n

More than 250 airports in the country already accept digital IDs to confirm who you are without having to hand over your document. It\u2019s fast, avoids physical contact (which many people hate), and feels like we\u2019re in the future (yes, that\u2019s what some of you like most).<\/p>\n

But since we\u2019re not fully in the future yet and don\u2019t know when it will come, it doesn\u2019t cost you anything to carry your document with you, and besides, it\u2019s mandatory as a backup. Mainly because technology can fail, and also because not all airports (or states) are in sync on this matter.<\/p>\n

Why you shouldn\u2019t leave your ID at home<\/p>\n

Yes, you might think: \u201cWhat if I just trust my phone?\u201d Well, that\u2019s a bad idea. Your phone could die, run out of battery, or the airport scanner might not work\u2026 Or maybe the state you\u2019re in doesn\u2019t support that format (and yes, that can happen).<\/p>\n

Hawaii and Ohio only accept digital IDs in Apple Wallet.
\nArizona and Georgia also allow Google and Samsung Wallet.<\/p>\n

So, even though technology is advancing, systems still aren\u2019t universal unfortunately, and you don\u2019t want to end up stranded at the airport like Tom Hanks, right?<\/p>\n

How to use your digital ID<\/p>\n

They\u2019ll confirm your identity and let you through without handing over your phone, showing your screen to the agent, or anyone bothering you!<\/p>\n

Real IDs, electronic passports, permanent resident cards, military credentials, and Trusted Traveler Cards (like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck) already work.<\/p>\n

How to add your digital ID:<\/p>\n

Open Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or your state\u2019s digital ID app.
\nSelect \u201cAdd ID\u201d or \u201cAdd driver\u2019s license\u201d
\nFollow the prompts to scan your physical ID and take a selfie for verification.
\nWait for confirmation from your state\u2019s DMV or issuing agency.
\nOnce verified, your ID will appear in your wallet and can be used at TSA checkpoints or participating venues.<\/p>\n

Where can I use my Digital ID?<\/p>\n

Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia accept digital IDs stored in Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet.
\nHawaii, Ohio, and Puerto Rico support Apple Wallet digital IDs only.
\nUtah requires travelers to present a digital ID through the GET Mobile ID app.<\/p>\n

An increasingly digital future\u2026<\/p>\n

We love that everything is becoming digital, and we can\u2019t wait for it all to be 100% digital, faster, safer\u2026 But for now, each state is moving at its own pace to meet federal standards, so for now, don\u2019t forget to carry your physical document, and remember, it\u2019s not about choosing one or the other, but about using both, the famous \u201cjust in case\u201d your mom always says when you travel.<\/p>\n

Better safe than missing your flight, don\u2019t you think?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The TSA has just issued a warning because yes, technology is very cool and we love it, but…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":279963,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[165,74],"class_list":{"0":"post-279962","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mobile","8":"tag-mobile","9":"tag-technology"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/279962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=279962"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/279962\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/279963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=279962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=279962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=279962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}