The Passport App is a digital wallet for your phone that stores travel documents

The Passport App (officially called Wallet on most phones) is a built-in application that holds digital copies of documents you need to travel, like your passport, driver's license, vaccination records, and boarding passes. Instead of carrying physical papers or screenshots, you add these documents to the app once, and they stay encrypted on your phone.

The app works differently depending on which phone you have. Apple's Wallet (on iPhones and Apple Watches) and Google Wallet (on Android phones) are the two main versions. Both let you add documents, but they support different document types and work with different organizations.

You do not need to use the Passport App to travel — it is optional. Many people still carry physical documents or printed copies. The app is useful if you want to reduce what you carry, but it only works at airports and border crossings that have set up the technology to read it.

Key Takeaways

  • The Passport App stores digital copies of your passport, driver's license, and travel documents on your phone instead of carrying physical papers.
  • Apple Wallet and Google Wallet are the two main versions, and they support different document types depending on your phone's operating system.
  • You can only use the digital passport at airports and border crossings that have installed the technology to read it — not everywhere yet.
  • Your documents are encrypted on your phone and do not sync to the cloud, so losing your phone means losing access to them until you restore from backup.
  • You still need to carry your physical passport as a backup because many countries and airports do not yet accept the digital version.

How to add documents to the Passport App

The process differs slightly between Apple and Android phones. On an iPhone, open the Wallet app, tap the plus sign, and select "Passport" or "ID" from the menu. You will be asked to take a photo of your passport's data page (the page with your photo and personal information). The app uses your phone's camera to read the information automatically.

On an Android phone, open Google Wallet, tap "Add to Wallet," select "ID," and follow the same process — photograph the data page and let the app read it. Both apps will ask you to verify the information is correct before saving it.

After you add a document, the app stores it locally on your phone. It does not upload to a cloud server, which means your documents stay private but also means you cannot access them from another device. If you get a new phone, you will need to add the documents again or restore from a backup.

Where you can actually use the digital passport

The digital passport only works at airports and border crossings that have installed special readers for it. As of now, this includes some U.S. airports (like Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles), some European airports, and a growing number of other countries. The technology is rolling out gradually, so not every airport has it yet.

When you arrive at security or passport control, look for a lane marked for digital ID or mobile passport. You will hold your phone up to a reader, similar to how you would scan a boarding pass. The reader pulls the information from your phone's app without needing to touch it.

Because the technology is not everywhere, you must still carry your physical passport. The digital version is a convenience at airports that support it, not a replacement. If you travel to a country or airport without the readers, you will need the paper document.

Security and privacy in the Passport App

Your documents in the Passport App are encrypted, meaning they are scrambled in a way that only your phone can read. Apple and Google do not store copies on their servers, and the documents do not sync across your devices. This keeps your information private but also means it is only as secure as your phone itself.

If someone steals your phone, they cannot simply open the Wallet app and see your passport — they would need to unlock your phone first. However, if your phone is unlocked, they could access the documents. This is why keeping your phone password-protected is important.

If you lose your phone, your documents are gone until you restore from a backup or add them again to a new phone. Some people keep a photo of their passport data page in a separate, secure location as a backup, though this is less secure than the app itself.

Differences between Apple Wallet and Google Wallet

Apple Wallet currently supports passports, driver's licenses, and state IDs in the United States. Google Wallet has a similar feature but the supported document types vary by country and region. Both apps are expanding what they accept, but they do not support the same documents everywhere.

The user experience is nearly identical — you photograph a document, the app reads it, and you verify the information. The main difference is which documents each app accepts in your region. Before you add a document, check whether your phone's app supports it.

Neither app works internationally in the same way. If you travel outside the United States, your digital passport may not be recognized, and you will definitely need your physical document. Check with your destination country before you travel to see whether they accept digital passports.

What to do if the app does not read your document correctly

If the app cannot read your passport's data page, try taking the photo again in better lighting. Make sure the entire data page is visible in the frame and that there are no shadows or glare on the text. Hold the phone steady and keep the page flat.

If the app still cannot read it, you can manually enter the information instead of letting the app scan it. Open the document in the app, look for an option to "Enter Information Manually" or "Type Details," and fill in the fields yourself. This takes longer but works if the camera cannot read the text.

If the app rejects your document type entirely (for example, if you are trying to add a passport from a country the app does not support), you will not be able to use the digital version. In that case, carry your physical passport as you normally would.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the digital passport instead of carrying my physical one?

Not yet, and probably not for several years. The digital passport only works at some airports and border crossings. You must carry your physical passport as a backup because most places do not have the readers for the digital version.

What happens if my phone dies while I am traveling?

You will not be able to access the digital documents on your phone. This is why carrying your physical passport is essential. If your phone battery dies, you will need the paper document to get through security and border control.

Can I share my digital passport with someone else?

No. The documents in your Wallet app are tied to your phone and your identity. You cannot transfer them to another person's phone or print them out as a digital file to share.

Is the Passport App the same as the TSA PreCheck app?

No, they are different. The Passport App stores your travel documents on your phone. The TSA PreCheck app (called "Mobile ID" in some places) is a separate application that lets you use your phone instead of a physical ID at some U.S. airport security checkpoints. You can use both, but they serve different purposes.

Do I need to update my documents if my passport expires?

Yes. When your passport expires, you will need to add the new one to the app. The old document will no longer work at readers because it is no longer valid. Remove the expired version from your Wallet and add your new passport.