Arizonians can now use their iPhone or Apple Watch to present their IDs to the TSA at the airport — see how it works

Taylor RainsMar 25, 2022, 19:21 IST

Apple

Apple launched the first ID in Wallet with Arizona on Wednesday, with 12 more states and territories to soon follow.
The new tech allows users to add a digital driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app and use it at airports.

Arizonians will no longer have to present their physical ID to TSA agents when passing through select security checkpoints at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International AirportMarkus Mainka/Shutterstock

Instead, passengers now have the option to use Apple's brand new digital ID technology.

Apple

On Wednesday, the tech giant revealed Arizona is the first state to allow residents to add their driver's license or photo ID to Apple's Wallet app.

Apple

This will ensure "an easy, secure, and private way" to present the ID to security agents at the airport.

TSA Pre CheckDavid Tran Photo/Shutterstock

To set this up, iPhone users can navigate to the Wallet app and click the + button at the top of the screen. Then, select "Driver's License or State ID" and follow the on-screen steps for creating a digital card.

Apple

To set this up, iPhone users can navigate to the Wallet app and click the + button at the top of the screen. Then, select "Driver's License or State ID" and follow the on-screen steps for creating a digital card.

This includes scanning the front and back of the ID…

Apple

…and taking a selfie to match the user's face to the photo on file with the issuing state's motor department.

Apple

From there, the card can be added to both an iPhone and Apple Watch, or just the phone.

Apple

To use the tech at the airport, travelers will simply tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to the identity readers at participating checkpoints.

Apple

Their device will then indicate what information is requested from the TSA, in this case, a state ID. Then, they can consent to provide it via Face or Touch ID.

Apple

The innovative tech negates the need for travelers to unlock their phone or present a physical ID card because it is digitally presented via "encrypted communication directly between the device and the identity reader."

Apple

The innovative tech negates the need for travelers to unlock their phone or present a physical ID card because it is digitally presented via "encrypted communication directly between the device and the identity reader."

However, the TSA will record a picture of the passenger "for verification purposes" when Wallet is used.

everythingforall/Shutterstock

According to Apple, only requested information is shared with the TSA, and customers can "review and authorize" the information before it is transmitted.

Apple

Moreover, because the ID is activated with Touch or Face ID, only the person who loaded the driver's license or state ID into Wallet can view or present it.

franz12/Shutterstock

If the user's iPhone or Apple Watch is lost, they can use the "Find My" app to locate it or wipe the device remotely.

charnsitr/Shutterstock

The ID in Wallet is only available on iPhone models 8 or newer running iOS 15.4, and Apple Watch Series 4 or newer running watchOS 8.4 or later, Apple said.

Apple / editing by Insider

As of Wednesday, Arizona is the only state with the Wallet option currently available.

Apple

However, 12 other states and territories have also signed up for the new tech, including Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, and Utah.

Apple

However, 12 other states and territories have also signed up for the new tech, including Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, and Utah.

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Arizonians can now use their iPhone or Apple Watch to present their IDs to the TSA at the airport &mdash; see how it works

Arizonians will no longer have to present their physical ID to TSA agents when passing through select security checkpoints at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Instead, passengers now have the option to use Apple's brand new digital ID technology.

On Wednesday, the tech giant revealed Arizona is the first state to allow residents to add their driver's license or photo ID to Apple's Wallet app.

This will ensure "an easy, secure, and private way" to present the ID to security agents at the airport.

To set this up, iPhone users can navigate to the Wallet app and click the + button at the top of the screen. Then, select "Driver's License or State ID" and follow the on-screen steps for creating a digital card.

This includes scanning the front and back of the ID…

…and taking a selfie to match the user's face to the photo on file with the issuing state's motor department.

From there, the card can be added to both an iPhone and Apple Watch, or just the phone.

To use the tech at the airport, travelers will simply tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to the identity readers at participating checkpoints.

Their device will then indicate what information is requested from the TSA, in this case, a state ID. Then, they can consent to provide it via Face or Touch ID.

The innovative tech negates the need for travelers to unlock their phone or present a physical ID card because it is digitally presented via "encrypted communication directly between the device and the identity reader."

However, the TSA will record a picture of the passenger "for verification purposes" when Wallet is used.

According to Apple, only requested information is shared with the TSA, and customers can "review and authorize" the information before it is transmitted.

Moreover, because the ID is activated with Touch or Face ID, only the person who loaded the driver's license or state ID into Wallet can view or present it.

If the user's iPhone or Apple Watch is lost, they can use the "Find My" app to locate it or wipe the device remotely.

The ID in Wallet is only available on iPhone models 8 or newer running iOS 15.4, and Apple Watch Series 4 or newer running watchOS 8.4 or later, Apple said.

As of Wednesday, Arizona is the only state with the Wallet option currently available.

However, 12 other states and territories have also signed up for the new tech, including Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, and Utah.

Arizonians can now use their iPhone or Apple Watch to present their IDs to the TSA at the airport — see how it works