Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google Wallet now supports US passports that you can use at select TSA checkpoints.
- The app will expand state-issued ID and driver’s license support to Iowa, New Mexico, and Ohio in the coming months.
- Google has also introduced support for more types of transit cards in the US.
After integrating California IDs into Google Wallet last month, Google now offers the option to include your passport in the app. This digital version of your passport allows you to breeze through select TSA checkpoints starting today, but it does not replace the physical ID.
As mentioned in our previous article, you will see a new Passport option in the IDs menu when you choose the Add to Wallet feature in the latest Google Wallet update. Clicking on it will initiate a setup process that provides relevant details about the digital passport and where it can be used.
You can scan the page containing your personal information and photo, record a video selfie for identity verification, and Google Wallet will submit your information for review. Google assures that the review process should be completed in a few minutes. You will receive a notification once it’s done, and your digital passport will be visible in the app.
You can utilize your digital passport at select TSA checkpoints. However, similar to driver’s licenses and other government IDs, the digital passport does not replace your physical ID. It is mandatory to carry your physical passport while traveling.
To address privacy concerns, Google mentions that digital passports stored in Google Wallet are encrypted and necessitate fingerprint, PIN, or passcode authentication before they can be viewed or shared.
In addition to passport support, Google announces the expansion of support for state-issued IDs and driver’s licenses to users in Iowa, New Mexico, and Ohio in the upcoming months. The company is also widening the scope of places where digital IDs can be used. For instance, Colorado residents will soon be able to use their digital IDs at various businesses thanks to a new reader in the MyColorado app.
Furthermore, Google Wallet is receiving support for various types of transit cards, including prepaid commuter benefit cards from Edenred and HealthEquity. The app is also introducing a feature that automatically imports booking confirmations sent to Gmail and will soon display live train status updates for tickets stored in the app.