I fly a lot. I pack snacks, do the shoe dance, and chase gates like it’s cardio. This year, I started using my digital ID at TSA. On my iPhone, I have my Arizona driver’s license in Apple Wallet. I also tested a Maryland ID in Apple Wallet on another trip. You know what? When it clicked, it felt magic. When it didn’t, it felt like a shrug. If you’d like the full extended version of that first airport experiment, it’s all documented.
Let me explain.
How It Actually Works (No Mystery, I Promise)
- I open Apple Wallet, tap my Driver’s License, and hold my phone near the TSA reader.
- The reader asks what to share. Name, photo, date of birth—basic stuff.
- I approve with Face ID. Then it shows a green check.
- The TSA officer glances at the screen and waves me through.
No handing over my phone. No fumbling with a plastic card. That part felt great. If you're curious about the broader ecosystem that makes this possible, this in-depth guide breaks down the standards behind digital IDs. For the official TSA perspective, see their Digital ID resource.
Real Trip #1: Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), Terminal 4, TSA PreCheck
This was my first time using it. I had the Arizona ID in Apple Wallet. There was a small sign that said “Digital ID.” The TSA agent nodded like, “Yep, we do that.”
I held my phone to the reader. A second later, Face ID pinged. I approved. Boom—done. It saved maybe 30 seconds, which sounds small, but in line, small feels big. Also, I didn’t have to hand over my physical ID. That felt cleaner and a bit safer.
One tiny snag: my chunky phone case made me hold it super close. I had to wiggle it. Not a big deal, just funny. For a bigger picture of how the Grand Canyon State rolled this out, check my earlier deep dive into the state rollout.
Real Trip #2: Baltimore/Washington (BWI), TSA PreCheck
Maryland supports digital IDs. I added my Maryland ID to Apple Wallet for a work trip. BWI had the same kind of reader. The agent looked happy to use it. Like, “Finally, someone who knows.”
It worked like Phoenix. Tap. Approve. Go. The screen showed only the info I said yes to. I liked that. A bit nerdy, but I like privacy controls that are clear and plain.
I tried to present from the Apple Watch too. The agent asked me to use my phone instead. “Phone is better here,” he said. So, okay—watch stayed on my wrist. Travelers are reporting similar success up in Washington State, so the consistency is starting to spread.
Real Trip #3: Washington Reagan (DCA), A Small Hiccup
DCA is usually smooth for me. But once, the lane had a little sign: “Digital ID temporarily offline.” The agent was nice but firm. “Physical ID, please.” I pulled out my plastic card. It added a minute, maybe two, because I had to dig through my bag.
Lesson learned. I now keep my physical ID in an easy pocket. Not deep in the abyss.
A Quick Note on Denver (DEN)
I had one visit where the PreCheck lane I used didn’t take digital ID that day. The officer said, “Not in this lane.” No drama. I handed over my card. Still, it reminded me that support can be patchy. It’s not every lane, every time. Industry observers like The Points Guy are following these rollouts closely, and their roundup on digital IDs captures how uneven it can be so far.
If you’re wondering how things play out beyond the airport, a colleague spent a real-world week with it in Georgia, while another reviewer **used it all over Salt Lake City**—both stories show the promise (and pain points) once you step outside TSA lines.
Similarly, identity assurance isn’t only a concern for travelers. Even niche classified and meet-up boards in the adult space lean on tighter verification to keep both sides safe. A quick look at how the escort-listing hub Listcrawler in Oviedo outlines local screening expectations and privacy tips reveals how the same digital-ID principles carry over to real-world meet-ups—useful if you’re curious about how verification tech is evolving beyond airports.
CLEAR vs Digital ID: Not the Same Thing
I also use CLEAR at some airports. It scans my eyes or face and moves me to the front. It’s fast, but it’s a private service.
Those machines rely on high-resolution cameras to capture your face instantly. If you've ever sat through a choppy Zoom call while using a bargain-bin webcam, you already know how sub-par optics can wreck the experience; the stakes are even higher at a security checkpoint. This short piece on why free webcams just don’t cut it lays out exactly how camera quality affects speed, accuracy, and overall reliability.
TSA digital ID is different. It’s about how they check your ID. Sometimes CLEAR still asks for a physical ID, especially if a machine acts up. So I treat them as two separate tools. If you’re curious about what happens when the process leans entirely on biometrics instead of a wallet, my week with a pure biometric digital ID might interest you.
What I Loved
- No handoff: I never give my phone to the agent. I just tap and approve.
- Speed: It’s small, but it feels calm. Less fumbling, less stress.
- Privacy screen: I choose what’s shared. It shows it right there.
- Hands free-ish: With a kid or a coffee, fewer moving parts is nice.
What Bugged Me
- Hit or miss: Some lanes support it, some don’t. It can change by the hour.
- Training gaps: A few agents are new to it. You might get a “we’re not doing that here.”
- Battery fear: If my phone dies, bye-bye digital ID. I keep a card on me now.
- Watch use: I love the idea, but I was told “phone only” more than once.
Tips That Saved Me
- Carry your physical ID anyway. Just do it.
- Look for a “Digital ID” sign in the PreCheck lane.
- Open Wallet before you reach the reader. It keeps the line smooth.
- Charge your phone. A tiny battery pack helps a lot.
- Update your phone software before your trip, not at the airport.
Who This Fits (And Who Might Wait)
- Great for: Frequent flyers, carry-on people, parents wrangling kids, folks who love Apple Wallet stuff.
- Maybe wait: Rare flyers, folks who use smaller airports, or anyone who hates surprises at security.
My Bottom Line
When it works, it feels modern and calm. It trims little bits of stress. But it’s not everywhere, and it’s not perfect yet. I still carry my card. I still double-check the lane.
Would I keep using it? Yes. It’s a 4 out of 5 for me right now—one star left on the table for those offline signs and “not in this lane” moments. But when it clicks, you’ll feel it. Quick tap, Face ID, green check. And you’re on your way to the gate, coffee still warm.