Android users can upload a digital passport for travel

24.09.2024 - 14:37 / thepointsguy.com

As Apple and Google respectively expand their digital ID technologies to house state mobile driver's licenses in Apple and Google Wallet, Google has added an international travel feature to its wallet.

In a recent announcement, we learned U.S. passport holders will now be able to store a digital passport in Google Wallet for use at select U.S. Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.

Digital IDs are accepted at 28 U.S. airports, per the TSA, but only Apple and Google support digital IDs (for select states) through a state's Department of Motor Vehicles. Individual states are responsible for verifying digital IDs by confirming a user's identity. After verification, you can create and store a digital ID on your phone.

Apple's digital ID is currently available in Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia and Ohio, with plans to launch in California later this year. In 2023, Google added a feature for Android users to store their digital ID in California — Iowa, New Mexico and Ohio are expected to follow later this year (and Colorado down the line).

Although Android users can download Google Wallet immediately, Google Wallet is not compatible with Apple software. Digital IDs can be used with the iPhone 8 or newer versions of the device (any that run iOS 16.5 or later) or the Apple Watch Series 4 or newer variations of the device (any that run watchOS 9.5 or later).

"This is a Google product and announcement, and it is built on the same platform and to the same technical standards as other digital IDs that will work on TSA readers," a TSA spokesperson said. "From TSA's perspective, we read the passport and treat the transaction the same as we do with those who have other forms of digital ID and mobile driver's license."

Once it's rolled out, digital passports stored on Google Wallet will be able to be used at any U.S. airport with the digital ID technology, specifically:

According to the agency, as more states start enabling digital IDs, the TSA will add compatible identity verification machines at even more airports. Some states have their own versions of a digital ID that travelers can use to pass through security, but these are stored via state-produced apps.

Even though digital IDs are more convenient and touch-free, keep in mind that the TSA still requires travelers to carry a physical form of identification for airport security checkpoints, as it may still be required to verify your identity.

The State Department declined to comment regarding when digital passports would be fully available for use for travel.

Related reading: