Touchless TSA PreCheck uses your face or fingerprint instead of your ID card

If you have TSA PreCheck, you can use your face or fingerprint to go through security at participating airports instead of showing your physical ID. This is called touchless TSA PreCheck, and it works through facial recognition or fingerprint scanning technology that the TSA has set up at certain security lanes. You do not need to sign up for anything new or pay extra — if your PreCheck membership is active, you can use the touchless option whenever it is available at your airport.

The process is straightforward: walk up to the designated touchless lane, look at the camera or place your finger on the scanner, and the system verifies your identity in seconds. Your PreCheck benefits — shorter lines, keeping shoes and belt on, laptops staying in bags — all still explore. Not every airport has touchless lanes yet, and not every lane at an airport that has them is always staffed, so you may still need your ID as a backup.

Key Takeaways

  • Touchless TSA PreCheck is available at select airports and uses facial recognition or fingerprint scanning instead of your physical ID.
  • You do not need to enroll separately or pay a fee — your existing PreCheck membership automatically works with touchless technology.
  • Look for signs marking touchless lanes at security, or ask a TSA officer which lanes have the technology available.
  • Always carry your ID as a backup, because touchless lanes are not available at every airport or may be temporarily unavailable.

Which airports have touchless TSA PreCheck right now

The TSA has rolled out touchless technology at major airports across the country, but the list keeps growing. As of now, touchless lanes are at airports including Denver International, Los Angeles International, San Francisco International, Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, and others. The TSA website has a full list of participating airports that you can check before you travel.

Even at airports with touchless technology, not every security lane has it. Some lanes use facial recognition, some use fingerprint scanning, and some use both. When you arrive at security, look for signs that say "Touchless PreCheck" or ask a TSA officer which lanes have the technology. If no touchless lanes are open when you get there, you can use a regular PreCheck lane with your ID.

How to use the facial recognition lane

When you approach a touchless lane with facial recognition, the TSA officer will direct you to stand in front of a camera mounted at the checkpoint. You do not need to do anything special — just face the camera naturally. The system scans your face and compares it to your TSA PreCheck enrollment photo, which was taken when you originally registered for PreCheck.

The scan takes only a few seconds. Once the system confirms your identity, the gate opens and you proceed through security. You still remove your bags and place them on the conveyor belt like normal, and you still get all the PreCheck perks — shoes stay on, belt stays on, laptops stay in bags. If the facial recognition does not work for any reason, the officer will ask you to show your ID and process you through a regular PreCheck lane.

How to use the fingerprint scanning lane

At airports with fingerprint scanning, you will see a scanner at the checkpoint that looks similar to the ones used for mobile phone unlocking. Walk up to the scanner and place one of your fingers on the glass or sensor — usually your index finger, though the system works with any finger you used during your PreCheck enrollment. Hold it there for a second or two until you see a green light or hear a confirmation sound.

The system matches your fingerprint to the one on file from your PreCheck background check. Once it confirms, you move forward through security. Like facial recognition, if the fingerprint scan fails or the system cannot read your finger clearly, the TSA officer will ask for your ID and process you normally. Some people find fingerprint scanning faster than facial recognition because it requires less precise positioning.

What to do if touchless is not working or not available

If you arrive at security and the touchless lanes are closed, offline, or have a long wait, you can use any regular PreCheck lane. Bring your ID and boarding pass as you normally would. You will still move through PreCheck security — the only difference is that an officer will verify your identity by looking at your ID instead of scanning your face or fingerprint.

If you try to use a touchless scanner and it fails — for example, if the facial recognition does not recognize you or the fingerprint scanner cannot read your finger — do not worry. Tell the TSA officer when ready, and they will process you through a regular PreCheck lane. This happens occasionally due to lighting, camera angles, or how a fingerprint scans on any given day. It does not affect your PreCheck membership or your ability to use touchless technology on future trips.

Preparing for your first touchless experience

Before you use touchless TSA PreCheck for the first time, make sure your PreCheck membership is still active. You can check your membership status on the TSA website by entering your Known Traveler Number (KTN). Your KTN is printed on your PreCheck card and is also in your TSA account.

When you arrive at the airport, give yourself a few extra minutes if you are using touchless for the first time, just in case you need to ask an officer for directions or the system takes longer than expected. Wear clear glasses if you use them regularly — the facial recognition system works with glasses, but it works best when it can see your face clearly. If you wear a hat or hood, remove it before approaching the facial recognition camera, as the system needs to see your face.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use touchless if my airport has it?

No. Touchless is optional. If you prefer to show your ID, you can use a regular PreCheck lane even if touchless lanes are available. Both routes give you the same PreCheck benefits.

Will touchless work if I have changed my appearance since my PreCheck photo?

Facial recognition is fairly flexible with changes like different hairstyles, glasses, or facial hair. If the system cannot recognize you, the officer will ask for your ID. If you have had major facial surgery or significant changes, you may want to update your PreCheck photo through the TSA website.

What if I forgot my ID but I have touchless available?

Touchless can work as your identity verification at the checkpoint, so you may be able to proceed through security without your physical ID. However, you will still need your ID for boarding the plane, so do not leave the airport without it. Ask the TSA officer whether the touchless scan is sufficient for that particular checkpoint.

Can children use touchless TSA PreCheck?

Children with their own TSA PreCheck membership can use touchless if they enrolled with facial recognition or fingerprints. Children traveling with a PreCheck member do not need their own PreCheck, but they also cannot use the touchless system — they will go through security with the adult.

Is my biometric data stored or shared?

The TSA uses your facial recognition or fingerprint data only to verify your identity at security checkpoints. The data is not shared with other agencies or stored in a way that allows tracking. For details on how the TSA handles biometric information, you can read their privacy policy on the TSA website.