Now, with a TSA digital ID, travelers can present a supported digital credential from their mobile device at participating TSA checkpoints without a physical card.
There are different ways to use digital identification with TSA, and Insiderbits will explore how CLEAR – Travel & Experiences (iOS/Android) does it just using a valid U.S. passport.
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Which is the best app for downloading a TSA digital ID?
If you want to keep a digital form of identification ready for airport security, the first thing to know is that TSA accepts several types of digital credentials.
For travelers with a valid U.S. passport, however, CLEAR – Travel & Experiences (iOS/Android) offers a particularly simple way to create a TSA digital ID directly from a phone.
You don’t need to worry! TSA lists CLEAR – Travel & Experiences (iOS/Android) among the digital identification options accepted at participating checkpoints.
CLEAR – Travel & Experiences is free and available through the app, available for both iOS and Android.
By using the app, you don’t need to visit an enrollment center. All you need to do is open the app, access the “Vault” tab, and add your U.S. passport to create the credential.
Once it is ready, CLEAR – Travel & Experiences (iOS/Android) can be presented at select TSA checkpoints, although travelers are still advised to carry a REAL ID-compliant physical document when flying.
This makes CLEAR – Travel & Experiences (iOS/Android) practical for travelers who already use their phones for boarding passes and other travel information.
The same app can store travel documents in CLEAR Vault, while CLEAR ID remains separate from CLEAR+.
That’s the company’s paid service for access to dedicated airport security lanes; still, you don’t need a CLEAR+ membership just to create and use CLEAR – Travel & Experiences (iOS/Android).
Built-in security and encryption features in the app
Of course anyone who stores identification on a phone naturally raises questions about what happens to the information behind the credential.
On that matter, CLEAR – Travel & Experiences (iOS/Android) states that personal information in its systems is encrypted both while being transmitted and while stored, with access controls limiting who can reach that information.
Its app also uses the CLEAR Vault as the area for securely storing travel documents used with services such as CLEAR ID.
A simple passport-based setup, TSA acceptance, and built-in document storage make CLEAR a convenient option for creating a digital ID before a trip.
Then, the next step is simply knowing where to tap inside the app, which makes the setup process much quicker once your passport is ready.
Step-by-step: how to add your digital ID in 60 seconds
Once CLEAR – Travel & Experiences (iOS/Android) app is installed, creating your TSA digital ID is a short process. Keep your U.S. passport nearby and follow the steps below to add it to the app.
Step 1: open the CLEAR app
Open CLEAR – Travel & Experiences (iOS/Android) and sign in to your account. If prompted, use the one-time code sent to your registered phone number or email.
Step 2: go to the “Vault” tab
From the app, open the “Vault” section, where CLEAR – Travel & Experiences (iOS/Android) lets you add and store supported travel documents.
Step 3: tap “Add your passport”
Inside “Vault,” select “Add your passport” and have your valid passport ready to continue.
Step 4: follow the passport verification instructions
Follow the instructions displayed in the app to add your passport and complete the verification process.
Once completed, CLEAR – Travel & Experiences (iOS/Android) creates your digital ID for use at participating TSA checkpoints.
Approved security protocols for digital IDs at TSA airport checkpoints
Using a digital ID at the airport involves more than showing your phone.
At participating checkpoints, TSA uses Credential Authentication Technology 2 (CAT-2) to verify supported digital credentials and confirm that the ID belongs to the traveler.
With that, passengers can tap their phone on the reader or scan a QR code, then approve the sharing of the information needed for verification.
Additionally, TSA can use facial comparison technology to match the traveler with the photo connected to the credential.
TSA states that digital ID checks are designed to limit unnecessary data sharing, and information used during verification is generally deleted after the process is completed.
Even so, travelers should still carry a physical ID, since TSA may request it if the digital verification cannot be completed.
For that reason, a TSA digital ID is best viewed as a more convenient way to pass through supported checkpoints, while a physical document remains an important backup.
TSA PreCheck integration and processing timelines
As we are reading in this guide, a digital ID simplifies identity verification, but it doesn’t automatically give you TSA PreCheck benefits.
TSA PreCheck is a separate program, and travelers need an active membership and a Known Traveler Number (KTN) to use its expedited screening lanes.
For travelers who already have TSA PreCheck, TSA PreCheck Touchless ID can add another layer of convenience at participating airports and airlines.
Alongside, eligible passengers can opt in through their airline profile by adding their KTN and valid passport information, allowing facial recognition to be used for identity verification at supported checkpoints.
However, if you are applying for TSA PreCheck for the first time, approval is not immediate.
TSA says most applicants receive their KTN within 3 to 5 days, although some applications may take up to 60 days.
You can also check in this official TSA.gov page to read the FAQ and get answers for the main questions about the TSA PreCheck
Once approved, the KTN should be added to your airline reservations so the TSA PreCheck indicator can appear on your boarding pass.
So, while a TSA digital ID can be created quickly, TSA PreCheck and Touchless ID have their own eligibility and enrollment steps.
Best secure travel wallets to protect your physical backup cards
Even when you plan to use a TSA digital ID, keeping your physical identification and payment cards with you is still important.
A dedicated travel wallet can keep those backups organized and add protection against loss or unwanted RFID scanning while you move through airports and unfamiliar places.
The Pacsafe RFIDsafe V150, for example, is one of the best options for travelers who want everything in one place.
It has six card slots, space for a passport, cash, a boarding pass, and a pen, while its material is designed to block RFID signals.
For people who prefer a zippered design, the Travelon RFID Blocking Passport Zip Wallet protects the entire wallet with RFID-blocking material and keeps cards and documents secured behind a zipper.
In addition, travelon also offers larger versions for families who need to carry several passports together.
Still, a secure wallet doesn’t replace normal precautions, but it gives your physical documents a defined place while your digital ID handles supported checkpoints.
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Travel with your digital ID ready
Using a TSA digital ID can make airport identification more convenient when you prepare it before your trip and know where it is accepted.
With options such as CLEAR – Travel & Experiences (iOS/Android), anyone traveling can keep a supported credential on their phone and present it at participating checkpoints.
At the same time, digital id works best as part of a broader travel setup. Understanding TSA protocols and carrying a physical backup ID avoid problems if a digital check is unavailable.
With both digital and physical documents organized, you are ready to move through the airport with fewer interruptions and have a backup ready when needed.
Also, if you want to have more documents digitalized, check this other guide about getting your driver’s license on your phone.
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