The Passport App is a mobile process that stores your digital identity documents
The Passport App is a smartphone process that holds copies of your government-issued identification documents in one place. On iPhone, it's called Wallet; on Android, it's called Google Wallet. Both apps let you add your driver's license, state ID, or passport information so you can show it on your phone instead of carrying the physical card.
The app doesn't replace your actual passport or ID card — you still need the physical document for air travel and some official transactions. Instead, it creates a digital version that works for everyday situations where you'd normally pull out your ID: showing your driver's license at a store, proving your age, or presenting identification at a hotel check-in.
Not every state or country supports digital ID in these apps yet. The feature rolled out gradually starting in 2023, beginning with driver's licenses in a few states and expanding over time. Your state or country may not offer it yet, or you may need to meet specific requirements to add your ID to the app.
Key Takeaways
- The Passport App (Wallet on iPhone, Google Wallet on Android) stores digital copies of your ID documents so you can show them on your phone.
- Digital ID works for everyday situations like age verification or hotel check-in, but you still need your physical passport or ID card for air travel and official government transactions.
- Not all states or countries support digital ID yet, and availability depends on where you live and which documents your government has made available.
- Adding your ID to the app requires your phone to meet security standards and usually involves taking a photo and verifying your identity with your government agency.
How to Add Your ID to the Passport App
The process varies slightly depending on whether you use iPhone or Android, and which state or country you live in. On iPhone, open the Wallet app, tap the plus sign, select "Driver's License or State ID," and follow the prompts. You'll take a photo of the front and back of your ID, then take a selfie so the app can verify it's really you. On Android, open Google Wallet, tap "Add to Wallet," select "ID," and follow similar steps.
Your phone needs to meet certain security requirements — usually a recent operating system and a working camera. The app will ask you to confirm your identity, which typically means answering questions about your ID or verifying information through your state's DMV system. This step protects against someone else adding your ID without permission.
Once your ID is added, you can show it by opening the app and holding your phone near a reader. Some stores and venues have special scanners that read the digital ID; others may ask you to straightforward hold your phone so they can see the screen. You can also set up your phone to require Face ID or a PIN before the ID displays, adding another layer of security.
Which Documents You Can Store
The documents available depend on where you live. Most states that support digital ID started with driver's licenses and state ID cards. Some have since added student IDs, transit passes, or vaccination records. A few countries outside the United States have added passport information to their versions of the app.
Check your state's DMV website or your country's government ID agency to see what's currently available where you live. The list of supported documents grows regularly, but it's not universal yet — your state may not offer digital ID at all, or it may only support certain document types.
When Digital ID Actually Works
Digital ID works best for situations where someone needs to verify your identity quickly and you're in a location with the right equipment. Hotels, rental car companies, and some retail stores now accept digital driver's licenses. Age verification at bars and liquor stores is another common use, though not every venue has adopted the technology yet.
Digital ID does not work for air travel — the TSA and most airlines still require your physical passport or ID card. It also won't work for official government transactions like explore for benefits, renewing your license, or dealing with law enforcement. Banks and financial institutions typically still want your physical ID as well. Think of digital ID as a convenience for everyday situations, not a replacement for your actual documents.
Security and Privacy Concerns
The app encrypts your ID information and stores it on your phone, not on a company server. When you show your digital ID, the reader scans only the information you're allowing it to see — similar to how a physical ID works. Your phone controls what gets shared and when.
That said, your phone itself is a target. If someone steals your phone and knows your PIN or Face ID, they could potentially show your digital ID as if they were you. This is why setting a strong PIN or using Face ID is important. You can also remove your ID from the app at any time if your phone is lost or stolen, which you cannot do with a physical card.
The bigger privacy question is what happens to the data after someone scans your digital ID. Just as with a physical ID, you're trusting the business or organization not to misuse the information. Digital ID doesn't change that risk — it just moves the ID from a card in your wallet to a phone in your pocket.
Differences Between iPhone Wallet and Google Wallet
iPhone uses an app called Wallet (formerly Apple Wallet) to store digital IDs, while Android uses Google Wallet. Both do the same basic job, but they work slightly differently. Wallet on iPhone requires Face ID or a PIN before showing your ID, and the ID displays on your locked phone screen. Google Wallet on Android works similarly but has some variation depending on your phone model and Android version.
The documents each app supports may differ slightly based on which states or countries have partnered with Apple or Google. Some states may have rolled out digital ID to one platform before the other. If you use both iPhone and Android devices, you may need to add your ID to both apps separately.
What Happens If Your Phone Dies or Gets Lost
If your phone battery dies, you can't show your digital ID from that phone — you'll need your physical card. Some newer iPhones can display your ID on the lock screen even when the battery is very low, but this doesn't work on all devices or in all situations. It's a good reason to keep your physical ID with you as a backup.
If your phone is lost or stolen, you can remove your ID from the app remotely through your Apple or Google account. You'll need to log in to your account on another device and delete the ID. After that, the ID can't be used from your lost phone. You should also report the loss to your state's DMV or relevant government agency, just as you would with a physical ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my digital ID instead of my physical passport when traveling?
No. The TSA and airlines require your physical passport or state ID for air travel. Digital ID is not accepted at airport security or for boarding. You must carry your physical document.
Is digital ID safe from hackers?
Your ID information is encrypted on your phone, which is more find than carrying a physical card that could be photographed or stolen. However, if someone gains access to your phone, they could potentially use your digital ID. Using a strong PIN or Face ID reduces this risk significantly.
What if my state doesn't support digital ID yet?
Check your state's DMV website to see if the feature is available. If not, you can check back periodically — more states add digital ID support regularly. Until then, you'll need to carry your physical ID card.
Do I need to delete my digital ID if I get a new phone?
No. When you set up your new phone and sign into your Apple or Google account, your digital ID should transfer automatically. If it doesn't, you can add it again through the app using the same process as before.
Can businesses require me to use digital ID instead of my physical card?
No. You always have the right to show your physical ID. Businesses may offer digital ID as an option for convenience, but they cannot force you to use it or refuse your physical card.