Google Wallet Begins Testing Digital IDs with U.S. Passports

It looks like Google Wallet is about to make your travels a little lighter—at least when it comes to documents. On Thursday, Google announced several updates to Wallet, but the one turning heads is their new feature that turns your U.S. passport into a digital ID. Yes, you heard that right. Soon, you might be able to pass through TSA checkpoints with just your phone.


Google's rolling out this Digital ID feature in beta soon, which means only some users will get to test it out for now. If you're one of the lucky ones, you'll be able to create an ID pass right in the Google Wallet app. The process is fairly straightforward: you scan the security chip on the back of your passport, take a selfie video to prove it's really you, and within a few minutes—boom! You've got a digital version of your ID, ready to use at select TSA checkpoints across the U.S.

But before you ditch your physical passport entirely, hold up! Google is quick to remind us that this digital ID isn't meant to replace your actual passport or ID. So, keep that original safe and sound. While this update is mostly aimed at making airport security less of a hassle, Google's also working with partners to expand where you can use these digital IDs. Think car rentals, identity verification, or even account recovery.

That's not all Google Wallet is up to. Starting now, U.S. users can add certain prepaid commuter benefit cards to the app, with companies like Edenred and HealthEquity leading the charge. The goal? To make everyday travel and commutes smoother, whether it's catching a bus or taking the subway.

Additionally, transit users will soon be able to view live train status updates right from their Wallet app, thanks to another new feature that imports transit tickets automatically from Gmail booking confirmations. And if you're a fan of convenience, Wallet will even notify you if something changes—like a seat switch on your boarding pass or a new daily special from your go-to café.

As for state-issued IDs, Wallet's getting even more inclusive. In the coming months, users from Iowa, New Mexico, and Ohio will be able to save their driver's licenses or state IDs in the app. Looks like the days of cramming multiple IDs and transit cards into your wallet are slowly becoming a thing of the past!

Want to read this in Spanish? Spanish Version >>