Android users can upload a digital passport for travel
As Apple and Google respectively expand their digital ID technologies to house state mobile driver's licenses in Apple and Google Wallet, Google has added an international travel feature to its wallet.
In a recent announcement, we learned U.S. passport holders will now be able to store a digital passport in Google Wallet for use at select U.S. Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.
Digital IDs are accepted at 28 U.S. airports, per the TSA, but only Apple and Google support digital IDs (for select states) through a state's Department of Motor Vehicles. Individual states are responsible for verifying digital IDs by confirming a user's identity. After verification, you can create and store a digital ID on your phone.
Apple's digital ID is currently available in Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia and Ohio, with plans to launch in California later this year. In 2023, Google added a feature for Android users to store their digital ID in California — Iowa, New Mexico and Ohio are expected to follow later this year (and Colorado down the line).
Although Android users can download Google Wallet immediately, Google Wallet is not compatible with Apple software. Digital IDs can be used with the iPhone 8 or newer versions of the device (any that run iOS 16.5 or later) or the Apple Watch Series 4 or newer variations of the device (any that run watchOS 9.5 or later).
"This is a Google product and announcement, and it is built on the same platform and to the same technical standards as other digital IDs that will work on TSA readers," a TSA spokesperson said. "From TSA's perspective, we read the passport and treat the transaction the same as we do with those who have other forms of digital ID and mobile driver's license."
Once it's rolled out, digital passports stored on Google Wallet will be able to be used at any U.S. airport with the digital ID technology, specifically:
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) in Oklahoma City
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
- Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) in Mississippi
- Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) in Mississippi
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
- Richmond International Airport (RIC)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) near Washington, D.C.
- O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago
- Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
- Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
According to the agency, as more states start enabling digital IDs, the TSA will add compatible identity verification machines at even more airports. Some states have their own versions of a digital ID that travelers can use to pass through security, but these are stored via state-produced apps.
Even though digital IDs are more convenient and touch-free, keep in mind that the TSA still requires travelers to carry a physical form of identification for airport security checkpoints, as it may still be required to verify your identity.
The State Department declined to comment regarding when digital passports would be fully available for use for travel.
Related reading:
- Real ID is finally coming May 7 but with a phased enforcement plan
- Real ID vs. driver's license: Everything you need to know
- I tried the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program at O'Hare — and it's a game changer
- Can you get through airport security without ID?
- TSA PreCheck travelers will no longer have to show ID or boarding pass at certain airports
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