Starting this fall with IOS26 (new numbering system that reflects the year), Apple Wallet will allow iPhone users to add a U.S. passport that can be used in place of a physical passport for domestic travel at approved airports. Note that this cannot be used for international travel or border crossings at this time. It can be stored on an iPhone or Apple Watch, and can be used at select TSA checkpoints throughout the United States. It is Real ID compliant, so a passport can be presented instead of a Real ID when traveling.
There will also be changes to digital boarding passes.
In Apple Wallet, a refreshed boarding pass experience delivers rich, relevant information straight to users’ fingertips with Live Activities that offer real-time updates about their flights. For added convenience, users can also share their flight’s Live Activities so friends and family can stay up to date on their journeys.
Refreshed boarding passes also allow users to conveniently access Maps to navigate airports and explore local recommendations, all in one place from their pass; quickly use Find My to track important items and report lost baggage; view key services on an airline’s app, such as seat upgrades and standby lists; and more. Refreshed boarding passes will be available starting with Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Jetstar, Lufthansa Group, Qantas, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Australia.
For more info: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/apple-services-deliver-powerful-features-and-intelligent-updates-to-users-this-fall/
For a shorter article on the travel updates: https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/09/apple-wallet-gains-new-travel-friendly-features-in-ios-26/