Last fall, Apple launched a new digital ID feature in the Wallet app. Now, this feature can officially be used as an age verification method in several cases on iPhone. Here’s what that means.
Apple’s Digital ID launches with acceptance of TSA checkpoints and promise of more to come
Apple Wallet has supported IDs and driver’s licenses for years. But American states have been quite slow to adopt this feature.
So, in iOS 26, Apple offered an alternative solution called “digital ID”.
Here is Apple’s description:
Digital ID gives users a secure and private way to create an ID in Apple Wallet using their U.S. passport information and to present it with an iPhone or Apple Watch.
Essentially, while states are still working to roll out digital driver’s licenses, Apple is allowing any iPhone user to create a digital ID with a US passport.
At launch, digital ID was accepted at TSA security checkpoints at more than 250 U.S. airports for domestic travel.
Apple has promised more use cases to come. It states: “In the future, users will be able to present their digital ID to other selected businesses and organizations to verify their identity and age in person, in apps, and online. »
And recently, the first part of this promised expansion has arrived.
Digital ID can now be used to verify age for Apple accounts and Apple services.
Age verification for apps and online services is a hot topic in legislation and public debate. Prominent recent examples include the UK’s Online Safety Act and Discord’s controversial rollout of age verification.
Here in the United States, there is also a flurry of activity at the state and federal levels regarding age verification.
And according to a recent Apple support document, Digital ID is now ready for use in certain age-verification purposes.
The document is titled “If You’re Asked to Confirm That You’re an Adult” and includes instructions on what to do if you see an age verification prompt when creating a new Apple account or using Apple services.
Apple says you may be asked to confirm that you are an adult when you create a new Apple account, update your device’s software, try to change certain security settings, or download or purchase apps that are 18 and older.
Multiple age verification methods are supported, including this key line:
*Regardless of your country or region, the digital ID in Apple Wallet created using a U.S. passport can also be used to confirm that you are an adult.
According to this recent update, Digital ID is now officially accepted as an age-verification method for Apple accounts and services.
This means users won’t have to share another, potentially more sensitive form of identification. They can use their secure and private digital ID from Apple Wallet.
For now, I assume that a few users have digital IDs and need to prove their age to Apple. This is because the first policy changes occurred abroad rather than in the United States. But given how things are going, there’s a good chance that will change soon.
Have you ever used Apple Wallet’s digital ID in an airport or to verify your age? Let us know in the comments.
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