TSA Starts Accepting Mobile IDs in Google Wallet on Android Devices

TSA Starts Accepting Mobile IDs in Google Wallet on Android Devices

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has teamed up with the State of Maryland and Google to start accepting Maryland-issued mobile driver’s licenses and ID cards in Google Wallet on Android mobile phones at select TSA airport security checkpoints. 

TSA PreCheck passengers will be able to use this new feature at checkpoints for identity verification at 25 participating airports.  

To present their ID in Google Wallet at select TSA checkpoints, passengers will approach the podium at the first station in the screening process. Passengers may consent to provide their mobile identification from Google Wallet by simply turning on Bluetooth and holding their Android smart phone or watch on the second generation Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) reader device.  The digital identity information from the mobile driver’s license is encrypted and transmitted digitally to CAT-2, where the passenger’s real-time camera photograph will be compared against the encrypted mobile identity information from Google Wallet and their reservation data that would have been on the passenger’s boarding pass.  Once the CAT-2 confirms the identity match, a TSA officer will verify the match and the passenger will proceed to security screening – without ever exchanging a boarding pass.  TSA officers may perform additional passenger verification if needed. The real-time live camera photograph and the mobile identification information is not kept, transmitted or used for any purpose other than for the immediate identity verification by a TSA officer. Passengers who do not wish to participate in facial matching can opt out in favor of an alternative identity verification process.

With IDs in Google Wallet on Android, identification data is encrypted and securely transmitted digitally, eliminating the need for passengers to show or hand over their device to a TSA officer. All passengers, including those traveling through security with a Maryland mobile driver’s license or state ID, must continue to carry and have readily available their physical driver’s license or identification card, or other acceptable ID listed on the TSA website. A physical ID may be required for identity verification.

TSA recommends that eligible travelers complete the process of adding the mobile ID to their Google Wallet before arriving at the TSA checkpoint. Only passengers with TSA PreCheck added to their boarding pass will be eligible at this time.

For more information on all digital identity solutions accepted at select TSA checkpoints, visit tsa.gov/digital-id.