Avoid This Crucial TSA Mistake When Using Your Digital ID At The Airport

Picture this: you're running late to the airport. You're rushing through your house, grabbing all of the last-minute travel essentials you remember to grab. You hop in the car and book it to the airport. As you jog to the security line, you fish around in your pocket for your wallet. You realize you left it at home. However, you're not worried. You already loaded your digital ID on your phone the night before. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent asks for your ID, and you proudly scan your phone with the scanner. However, it doesn't seem to be working quite right. The agent asks to see your physical ID card instead, but you don't have it. Just like that, you won't be making your flight today.

TSA has started allowing passengers to use a digital ID at security checkpoints or a form of ID uploaded to either your Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or Samsung Wallet. While this is a convenience meant to make passing security safer and smoother, there is an important caveat. You are still required to carry a physical ID or passport with you as well. If, for any reason, the machine is not processing your ID, or your airport simply doesn't yet accept digital ID, you should always have the physical ID on hand as a backup.

There are more than 250 airports in the United States currently offering digital ID at TSA. To participate, you will have to load your real ID driver's license or passport onto your phone's wallet system before going to the airport. For driver's licenses, there are currently a limited number of states that allow users to upload their IDs to their phones. Some states are not available on all devices, but states like Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia are available on Google, Apple, and Samsung wallets.

Once you have your ID uploaded to your phone, make sure your Bluetooth is enabled so you can scan it at the TSA checkpoint. TSA uses facial recognition technology to verify your identity with your digital ID. However, they do not store your information or photo after you have been verified. According to TSA, using a digital ID is more secure than a physical ID as it reduces the risk of fraudulent documents and is more private. While participation in digital ID is optional, consider using it for your next air travel adventure for a more secure and speedy trip through security.