Apple Delays iOS 26's New U.S. Passport Feature

iOS 26 was widely released today, but the new feature that lets you add a digital version of your U.S. passport to Apple's Wallet app has been delayed.

ios 26 digital id passport wallet
Apple updated its iOS 26 features page today to indicate that the "Digital ID" feature for U.S. passports will be coming in a later software update:

Digital ID will be available in a software update with U.S. passports only.

Apple did not mention a specific version, but hopefully the feature arrives in iOS 26.1 or iOS 26.2.

Until now, the feature had been listed on the iOS 26 page in the present tense.

After creating a Digital ID in the Wallet app, you will be able to present it in person at TSA checkpoints in select U.S. airports for identity verification purposes during domestic travel. However, Apple says it is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel and border crossing purposes.

Apple says the Digital ID feature is secure, private, and compliant with REAL ID.

It will also be possible to use the Digital ID feature for age and identity verification in apps, online, and in stores, according to Apple.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro and Air Feature

Two iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air Colors Appear to Scratch More Easily

Friday September 19, 2025 10:02 am PDT by
As reported by Bloomberg today, some of the new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air models on display at Apple Stores today are already scratched and scuffed. French blog Consomac also reported on this topic. The scratches appear to be most prominent on models with darker finishes, including the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in Deep Blue, and the iPhone Air in Space Black. Images Credit: Consoma ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.0.1 Coming Soon, Likely With iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Fix

Thursday September 18, 2025 9:17 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions. The update will have a build number of 23A350, or similar, the account said. It is likely that iOS 26.0.1 will fix a camera-related bug on the new iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. In his iPhone Air review, CNN Underscored's Henry T. ...
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

iPhone 17 Pro Max Teardown Reveals Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 Modem for 5G

Friday September 19, 2025 7:39 am PDT by
While the iPhone Air is equipped with Apple's custom C1X modem for cellular connectivity, all of the iPhone 17 models are outfitted with Qualcomm modems still. A teardown video shared on Chinese platform Bilibili today (via Reddit) appears to confirm the iPhone 17 Pro Max is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem in particular. The same modem is likely used in the iPhone 17 and iPhone ...
iphone 17 pro max techwoven

Here Are The Best Cases You Can Buy for Your New iPhone 17 and iPhone Air

Friday September 19, 2025 6:46 am PDT by
Apple's new iPhones launch today, and there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to protecting your new device from drops and scratches. In this article, we're taking a look at some of the best options for iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Air cases, as well as a few charging accessories. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 26's Liquid Glass Design Draws Criticism From Users

Wednesday September 17, 2025 2:56 pm PDT by
It's been two days since iOS 26 was released, and Apple's new Liquid Glass design is even more divisive than expected. Any major design change can create controversy as people get used to the new look, but the MacRumors forums, Reddit, Apple Support Communities, and social media sites seem to feature more criticism than praise as people discuss the update. Complaints There are a long...
iphone 17 pro inside

iPhone 17 Teardowns Confirm SIM and eSIM-Only Battery Capacities

Friday September 19, 2025 8:39 am PDT by
YouTube channel REWA Technology today shared an iPhone 17 Pro teardown video, offering a closer look inside the model with a SIM card tray. We are still waiting for repair website iFixit to share a more comprehensive teardown of the latest iPhone models, but this video provides a good look in the meantime. The device features various internal design changes, including larger rear camera...

Top Rated Comments

bailsafe Avatar
6 days ago at 10:55 am

Absolutely no way would I travel without a physical passport. The fun of traveling to a rural hotel in Croatia when they ask for your passport and you show your iphone. Really bad idea. Even an American airport would probably freak.
That's not what this feature is intended for, and they're very clear about that.

"However, Apple says it is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel and border crossing purposes."
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robert.Walter Avatar
6 days ago at 11:18 am

The convenience is nice.

But in the current climate you would be a fool to hand, show or even unlock your device anywhere near a US law enforcement officer.

Paper boarding passes and passports all the way.
Please read and inform yourself about how this works.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robert.Walter Avatar
6 days ago at 11:17 am

As cool as it is to live in the future, I have yet to go through a TSA checkpoint that was equipped to scan my digital ID. YMMV
This is how it was with Apple Pay in 2015. Now (except for evil Walmart) Apple Pay is ubiquitous.


Nothing of significant complexity is ever built in a day.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yukari Avatar
6 days ago at 04:57 pm

My state allows digital IDs on phones. I have one, but I will never ever use it in front of law enforcement officers. It's a bad idea to hand over your iphone to any leo. For example, during a traffic stop, you hand over your iphone to a leo. He may access not only your ID but also your photos, emails, and instagram. Since you've voluntarily handed over and unlocked your phone, it may be legal for them view its contents. This applies to digital passports.

I will keep a digital passport in my phone just in case, but I will never use it.
You do NOT hand over your phone. They are suppose to have a device where you simply tap (like using a credit card in Apple Wallet).

Why do people keep thinking you have to hand over the phone???
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DocMultimedia Avatar
6 days ago at 10:53 am
Absolutely no way would I travel without a physical passport. The fun of traveling to a rural hotel in Croatia when they ask for your passport and you show your iphone. Really bad idea. Even an American airport would probably freak.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
What_Is_George Avatar
6 days ago at 11:04 am

As cool as it is to live in the future, I have yet to go through a TSA checkpoint that was equipped to scan my digital ID. YMMV
I have, and it is kinda cool. I like the idea that it can’t get scanned by anything else and no one looks at my id. However the returning airport didn’t have it and if it was all I brought I would have been screwed.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)