Apple will soon allow iPhone owners to add digital versions of their US passports to their phones. said Jennifer Bailey, vice president of Apple Pay and Wallet.on Sunday.
The digital document is the same as your real ID, but you still need a physical US passport to travel abroad or cross the US land borders with Canada and Mexico.
Apple wants to expand how people can use the online wallet feature for identification purposes. Some states already allow using a digital ID for your driver’s license, and Bailey said Apple wants people to use Wallet for concert tickets, student IDs, house keys, car keys and more.
Not for international travel
When the feature is available, iPhone users will be able to scan their physical US passport and add it to the Wallet app, creating a Real ID-compliant digital ID. For domestic flights, travelers can present this digital version from their iPhone or Apple Watch at participating TSA checkpoints instead of using their physical passport. Real ID is required for flights within the US and to US territories such as Puerto Rico.
However, travelers cannot use their digital ID for international flights, including flights to Mexico or Canada. You still need your physical US passport to enter and exit the border.
Expert: “I see no disadvantages”
Pauline Frommer, seasoned travel expert and editor-in-chief of Frommers.com and Frommer’s Travel Books said the digital passport “seems like a great new convenience.”
While the new digital ID feature doesn’t allow people to fly or drive to other countries, Frommer says it still has an advantage.
“They’re just another option for people who don’t have a driver’s license with Real ID,” Frommer said.
Comfort and risk.
While relying on Apple Wallet can be convenient, there are risks Identity Management Institutea global identity and access management organization. Potential dangers of digital identity wallets include security breaches, identity theft, and privacy issues. Losing your device is another serious danger.
The organization said people using digital identity wallets should take several precautions, which is good advice for any online business.
- Use unique and secure passwords or PIN codes.
- Enable two-factor authentication.
- Keep devices and software up to date.
- Be careful when doing digital transactions. Make sure you buy from legitimate websites or use your digital ID.
