Goodbye to the physical passport? Apple is revolutionizing the way travelers pass through border control with its new feature: Digital Identification (Digital ID). During its annual WWDC conference, the Cupertino, California-based company introduced this new tool, which will be available with the upcoming iOS 26 operating system.
Apple, once again, advances in digital identification thanks to biometric technology, its new update on its IPhone devices will be able to facilitate border controls and the management of digital documents. All international travel, from the United States to other countries will be able to improve the traveler’s digital security. Read on to learn all about the new update.
This is what Apple Digital ID will look like
With this feature, Apple users will be able to create and store a digital version of their passport or ID card directly on their iPhones. The company’s main objective is to go one step further towards digitalization, eventually allowing travelers to move without the need to carry physical documentation.
Thanks to this new presentation, all management will be done digitally and all the physical management involved, which can often lead to serious problems, will be left aside. Thus, travelers will have much more comfort in their long itineraries through airports.
Speed at all checkpoints through the use of technology
As a result, border controls are expected to become faster and more secure, thanks to the use of technology. Soon, travelers will be able to show their identity directly from the iPhone, using methods such as Face ID or Touch ID, which will help speed up the verification process and reduce long lines at airports.
The new Face ID and Touch ID update has been exponentially improved so that it will not give any problems at border controls. The streamlining of the process also closely follows the security of the processes so that everything is managed in the best possible way.
New update works in cooperation with immigration authorities and airports
According to The Verge, Digital ID is designed to work in cooperation with immigration authorities and airports. In recent months, Apple has worked directly with government agencies to ensure that this new technology meets international security standards. The company has stated that all information will be encrypted and will only be shared with the user’s consent.
In the same vein, the fact that it works closely with immigration and institutional authorities ensures the effectiveness of this new, fully updated system. Likewise, the immigration law and the standardizations established at national level are also respected, also taking into account that the user will not be exposed to any problems thanks also to the attention to privacy.
Beyond travel: techonology in other context
Digital ID will not only be useful for travel. According to Apple, this technology will also be used in other contexts, such as car rental, hotel check-in and age verification in stores. The overall goal: to replace physical documents in everyday situations. It should be emphasized that the fact that the update is applicable to other contexts shows the great versatility.
In the same vein, the company is gradually following the approach of highlighting all procedures of a physical nature, while at the same time bringing to the forefront the practicality involved.
While it may take time for Digital ID to be adopted globally, its implementation in the United States represents a major step towards full digitization. Many individuals may find this new implementation difficult, but the fact that it is being implemented gradually makes it easy to adapt.
Finally, the United States ranks first in the implementation of total digitization to streamline both processes related to immigration controls and other contexts, which have been mentioned above.