Fly Through Airport Security: Google Wallet Adds Digital Passports
Google has been steadily upgrading its Google Wallet platform, expanding beyond payment features to support various types of IDs. One of the latest additions is the ability to digitize passports, a feature now rolling out in the United States. However, it comes with a significant limitation: digital passports currently work only at select airport security checkpoints.
The support for adding a digital passport to Google Wallet was first announced in September. In a statement to The Verge, Google confirmed that the feature is now rolling out and will become available to more users over the coming weeks—just in time for the busy holiday travel season.
Although still in its early stages, a digitized passport won’t replace a physical passport, much like other digital IDs stored in the Wallet’s ID Pass section. For now, travelers can use their digital passports at select TSA checkpoints as an alternative to presenting a physical passport or driver’s license for domestic flights.
Where Can You Use a Digital Passport?
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Currently, only a few major U.S. airports support digital passport verification through Google Wallet, including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), and LaGuardia International Airport (LGA) in New York. You can check TSA’s website for the exact airports where you can use Wallet’s ID pass.
How to Add a Passport to Google Wallet’s ID Pass
If your Google Wallet app supports this feature, adding your passport involves a straightforward process, as outlined by Google:
Open the Google Wallet app on your Android smartphone.
Tap “Add to Wallet” and choose ID.
Select “Passport” from the options.
Take a photo of your passport’s ID page using your smartphone’s camera.
Scan the passport’s chip by placing your phone’s back against the passport.
Record a short video to authenticate your identity.
Tap “Done” and wait a few minutes for verification.
In addition to enabling digital passports for air travel, Google announced plans to expand the use of digital IDs for other purposes, such as account recovery, identity verification, and car rentals.
As part of this broader rollout, Google also extended digital ID support to residents of New Mexico, allowing them to add their state ID or driver’s license to the Wallet app. At the same time, the internet search giant recently added more credit cards from banks and finance institutions.
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