Can I use a digital ID or mobile driver's license at TSA?
The short answer
Yes. TSA accepts digital IDs, including mobile driver's licenses, at checkpoints in more than 250 airports. You can use Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet or a TSA-approved state app. TSA still says all passengers must carry an acceptable, compliant physical ID.
Which digital IDs does TSA accept?
TSA's digital ID page says it accepts digital IDs at checkpoints in more than 250 airports. The wallets it names are Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet, and state-issued apps that TSA has approved also work.
The page does not list individual states. It points to a separate TSA page called Participating States and Eligible Digital IDs, so check that page to see whether your state's license can be added to your phone.
- Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet are named by TSA
- State-issued apps approved by TSA also work
- Google Wallet's ID pass is available to all U.S. passport holders, regardless of state
- The ID must be an eligible, acceptable state-issued driver's license or ID card
How do I use a digital ID at the checkpoint?
Add your eligible license or ID card to your phone through a TSA-approved app or your phone's digital wallet, and follow that app's setup instructions before your trip. At the checkpoint you scan the QR code or tap your phone on the reader.
To create a Google Wallet ID pass from a passport, add ID in the app, select ID pass and verify with a U.S. passport. You get a confirmation when the pass is ready.
Do I still need to carry my physical ID?
Yes. TSA states that all passengers must still carry an acceptable compliant physical ID. A digital ID is an extra way to verify who you are, not a replacement for the card in your wallet.
TSA also says travelers with non-compliant IDs may face additional screening and possible delays. For REAL ID, TSA says it will accept digital IDs that comply with 6 CFR Part 37 and the mobile driver's license waiver, once REAL ID enforcement applies.
Can I decline the photo or facial comparison?
Yes. TSA says facial comparison is optional. Tell the officer before you present your ID that you decline the photo, and the officer will use the standard verification process. TSA says you will not lose your place in line.
On privacy, TSA says it receives digital ID information only with your consent and does not copy or store the digital ID, except in limited testing of facial comparison accuracy, where it notifies passengers through signs and advisements. It says photos and personal data are deleted after identity is verified and are not used for law enforcement or surveillance.
Sources: TSA: Digital ID. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Which airports accept digital ID at TSA?
TSA says more than 250 airports accept digital IDs at checkpoints. The page does not list them here, so check TSA's digital ID information before you travel.
Can I fly with only my phone and no physical license?
TSA says all passengers must still carry an acceptable compliant physical ID. Do not plan to rely on the phone alone.
Does a digital ID work as a REAL ID?
TSA says it will accept digital IDs that comply with 6 CFR Part 37 and the mobile driver's license waiver once REAL ID enforcement applies. Whether your state's digital ID meets that standard is shown on TSA's participating states page.
What if I do not want my photo taken?
Tell the officer before presenting your ID. TSA says the officer will then use the standard verification process and you will not lose your place in line.
Can I use Google Wallet if my state is not participating?
TSA says Google Wallet's ID pass is available to all U.S. passport holders regardless of state. You verify it with a U.S. passport.