iPhone users can now add their U.S. passport information to Apple Wallet, giving travelers a digital option for faster identity verification at airport checkpoints. The feature arrives just in time for the busy holiday travel season.

Apple on Wednesday unveiled its new “Digital ID” system, allowing passport data to be scanned at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints without requiring a physical Real ID. The rollout begins in beta at more than 250 U.S. airports for in-person identity verification during domestic travel.

Apple emphasized that the Digital ID does not replace a physical passport and cannot be used for international travel or border crossings.

The company has already enabled residents in 12 states and Puerto Rico to add driver’s licenses or state IDs to Apple Wallet. TSA currently accepts digital IDs at checkpoints in at least 16 states and Puerto Rico.

“You can breeze through more than 250 TSA checkpoints faster and more securely than ever before,” the TSA website notes.

How to Set Up and Use Digital ID

1. Open Wallet: Open the Wallet app on your iPhone, tap the plus sign, and select the Digital ID option. You can also search for “Digital ID” within the app.
2. Scan Your Passport: Use the iPhone camera to capture the photo page, then place your device on the chip embedded in the passport’s back page to authenticate the data.
3. Verify Identity: Take a selfie and follow facial movement prompts, such as turning your head or closing your eyes.
4. Presenting Your ID: Double-click the side button, select the Digital ID from your Wallet, and hold your iPhone or Apple Watch up to the TSA reader. The system will take a picture, display requested information, and require facial or fingerprint authentication to release the data.

Security and State Acceptance

Apple says passport information is encrypted and stored locally on the device. The company cannot track when or where users present their Digital ID. Face and fingerprint authentication ensures that only the device owner can release the information.

Currently, more than a dozen states and Puerto Rico accept mobile IDs at airport checkpoints, including Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. Travelers can consult the TSA website for detailed information.