Even though Google Wallet has only been available for roughly a month, the company is already working on some of its upcoming key features. Behind-the-scenes developments this week imply support for utilizing Google Wallet to provide your ID at TSA checkpoints.
When Google Wallet was first introduced, it was stated that the app would eventually support storing your driver’s license and other types of official identification (ID), but this feature has not yet been rolled out. The firm hinted at what that would resemble during Google I/O and promised that Android would get it later this year (see image below).
We can now see more clearly what your digital ID will be able to achieve. Google Play Services provide Mishaal Rahman spotted strings that indicate Google Wallet supports ID particularly at TSA checkpoints.
This looks like an excellent alternative to have in light of airlines’ drive towards digital boarding tickets to facilitate airport travel. Google promotes the capability of passing past TSA with just your phone.
There is a catch, though.
Currently, the TSA only accepts supports mobile drivers licenses from specific agencies and in a limited number of airports. There are currently only 10 airports in the US that support mobile driver’s licenses, such as:
Washington/Baltimore International Airport (BWI) Airport International de Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Harry Reid International Airport (GPT) is the international airport serving Gulfport, Biloxi (LAS) International Airport of Atlanta, Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) Airport of Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers (JAN) International Airport of Miami (MIA) San Jose International Airport’s Norman Y. Mineta (SJC) Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix (PHX) National Airport in Washington, Ronald Reagan (DCA) Additionally, the traveler must have TSA Precheck, which will be covers around 10 million travelers as of 2020. This functionality’s support was only recently made available by the TSA, with Apple Wallet .
Beginning today, people who have Maryland-issued driver’s licenses or state identification cards will be able to add a digital copy of those documents to Apple Wallet and use it to verify their identity at TSA airport security checkpoints if they are members of TSA PreCheck and are using a TSA PreCheck-designated checkpoint lane.
Only certain TSA checkpoints are supported by Google Wallet, according to the strings surrounding that statement.
Naturally, in this case capability is being alluded to before the necessary framework is even fully in place. Since the app itself only launched in late July with support for NFC mobile payments, loyalty cards, COVID-19 immunization cards, and more, Google Wallet’s ID functionality doesn’t even have a set release date at this time. It sounds nice that Google Wallet will enable displaying your ID at TSA checkpoints, but we shouldn’t get too enthusiastic just yet. After all, it’s obvious that the TSA is still in the early stages of accepting this.
FTC: We employ income-generating auto affiliate connections. MORE ON GOOGLE WALLET. More.
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