TSA digital ID acceptance depends on which app you use and which airport you visit

The TSA does not yet accept most digital IDs at airport security checkpoints nationwide. As of now, only a handful of states have launched digital driver's licenses that the TSA recognizes, and even then, only at specific airports. The TSA's approved digital ID program is called Mobile Driver's License (mDL), and it works only on Apple Wallet and Google Wallet on compatible phones. If your state has not launched an mDL program, or if your airport is not on the TSA's list of participating locations, you will need to bring a physical ID.

The rollout is slow and uneven. As of early 2024, only a few states—including Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio—have launched digital driver's licenses. Even in those states, the TSA accepts the digital version only at airports that have installed the necessary technology to read it. Major hubs like Denver, Atlanta, and Chicago have the equipment; smaller regional airports do not. Before you travel, check whether your state offers an mDL and whether your departure airport is on the TSA's list of participating locations.

Key Takeaways

  • Only a few states currently offer digital driver's licenses that the TSA recognizes, so check your state's DMV website to see if yours is one of them.
  • Even if your state has a digital ID, the TSA accepts it only at airports that have installed the required scanning equipment, which is not yet nationwide.
  • Digital IDs must be stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet on your phone; other digital ID apps or screenshots will not work at TSA checkpoints.
  • A physical driver's license or passport remains the safest choice for air travel until digital ID acceptance becomes more widespread.

Which states have launched digital driver's licenses

Colorado was the first state to launch a TSA-approved digital driver's license in 2023. Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio have since followed. Each state's mDL program works the same way at the TSA checkpoint: you hold your phone up to the scanner, and the agent reads your digital ID without touching your device.

Other states are developing digital ID programs but have not yet launched them or have not yet reached an agreement with the TSA. Check your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website to see whether a digital driver's license is available. If your state does not offer one, you cannot use a digital ID at the airport, even if you have downloaded a third-party digital ID app.

How to add your digital ID to your phone

If your state offers a digital driver's license, you add it to your phone through your state's DMV app or website, not through Apple Wallet or Google Wallet directly. The process varies slightly by state, but the general steps are the same: read your state's DMV app, log in with your driver's license number and other identifying information, and follow the prompts to add your digital ID to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.

You will need your physical driver's license and a smartphone with a compatible operating system. Apple Wallet works on iPhone XS and newer; Google Wallet works on most Android phones running version 8.0 or later. The state's DMV app will tell you whether your phone is compatible before you start the process. Once your digital ID is added to your wallet, you can use it at TSA checkpoints in participating airports.

Which airports accept digital IDs

The TSA has installed digital ID scanning equipment at a growing but still limited number of airports. Major hubs including Denver International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Chicago O'Hare, and Los Angeles International have the technology. Smaller regional airports are being added gradually, but many still do not have the equipment.

The TSA publishes a list of participating airports on its website. Before you travel, check that list to confirm your departure airport accepts digital IDs. If it does not, bring your physical driver's license or passport. Even at airports with the equipment, TSA agents may ask for a physical ID if the digital scan fails or if they need to verify information.

What happens if your airport does not have digital ID equipment

If your airport does not yet accept digital IDs, you will need to present a physical ID at the checkpoint. This includes a driver's license, passport, passport card, or military ID. A screenshot of your digital ID on your phone will not work; the TSA requires a physical document or an mDL stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet at a participating airport.

The TSA is expanding digital ID acceptance gradually, but the timeline is uncertain. If you are traveling soon and your airport is not on the participating list, plan to bring your physical ID. Carrying both your phone with the digital ID and a physical ID is the safest approach until the technology is more widely available.

Digital IDs versus other forms of digital identification

Not all digital ID apps are the same. Apps like Clear, which uses biometric verification, are not the same as a digital driver's license. Clear can speed up the verification process at the airport, but it does not replace your ID—you still need to show a physical driver's license or passport. Similarly, a photo of your ID on your phone or a screenshot will not work at the TSA checkpoint.

Only a digital driver's license stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet through your state's official DMV program will work as a replacement for a physical ID at participating TSA checkpoints. If you have downloaded a digital ID app from a third party or a private company, it will not be accepted at security.

What to bring if you do not have a digital ID

If your state does not offer a digital driver's license, or if you prefer not to use one, bring a physical ID to the airport. The TSA accepts a current driver's license, passport, passport card, military ID, or permanent resident card. These documents work at every airport and do not depend on your phone's battery or internet connection.

A physical ID is also useful as a backup. Even at airports with digital ID equipment, technical issues can occur, and the TSA agent may ask for a physical document. Carrying both your phone with the digital ID and a physical ID ensures you can get through security no matter what happens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a screenshot of my digital ID at the airport?

No. The TSA requires a digital ID to be stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet through your state's official DMV program. A screenshot or photo of your ID will not work at the checkpoint, even if it shows all the same information.

What if my phone dies before I reach the TSA checkpoint?

If your phone is dead or not working, you will need a physical ID to get through security. This is one reason to always carry a backup physical driver's license or passport when traveling, even if you have a digital ID on your phone.

Do I need to delete my digital ID if I renew my driver's license?

Yes. When you renew your physical driver's license, you will need to remove the old digital ID from your wallet and add the new one through your state's DMV app. The old digital ID will no longer be valid once your physical license expires.

Can I use a digital ID from another state if I am traveling there?

Yes, as long as that state's digital driver's license is TSA-approved and the airport you are departing from has the scanning equipment. You can use any valid state's mDL at a participating airport, just as you can use any state's physical driver's license.

Is a digital ID safer than a physical ID?

A digital ID stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet is encrypted and requires biometric verification to display, which makes it harder to counterfeit or misuse than a physical card. However, both are equally accepted by the TSA at participating airports. The choice depends on your preference and whether your state offers the service.