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After Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference last June, the tech giant announced that iOS 26 would permit users to integrate a U.S. passport into their Apple Wallet. This update allows travelers to utilize their iPhone or Apple Watch as a Digital ID while traveling domestically. The advantage of this Digital ID is its compliance with REAL ID regulations. This is crucial since state-issued driver’s licenses that do not comply with REAL ID are no longer adequate for travel purposes. Arriving at the airport without a REAL ID might prevent you from passing security. At a minimum, you could face extra security checks and possible delays.
The new passport functionality from Apple aims to alleviate this inconvenience. Apple featured this capability on its iOS 26 features page in June, noting in a footnote that it would launch “later this year.” Recent statements from Apple executive Jennifer Bailey, shared via MacRumors, confirm that the feature is indeed “coming later this year.” While no precise timeline was given, it wouldn’t be surprising if Apple postpones the rollout until December. Nonetheless, having this functionality available before the hectic Thanksgiving travel period would be advantageous.
