Android users enrolled in TSA PreCheck can now clear airport security without presenting a boarding pass or physical identification. The new Touchless ID feature leverages facial recognition to authenticate travelers directly from a digital wallet on their device.
When a boarding pass displays the Touchless ID option, passengers enter a dedicated security lane separate from the standard TSA PreCheck line. The system verifies identity by matching the traveler’s face to the stored digital ID, eliminating the need to scan a driver’s license, passport, or other REAL ID documents.
Initially limited to a handful of carriers, Touchless ID is now available to passengers flying with major airlines such as American, Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian, Southwest, and United. Travelers can opt in by adding their Known Traveler Number to the airline’s profile.
Integration with Google Wallet allows users to configure Touchless ID once and use it across dozens of participating airlines. The digital ID pass stores passport data and a facial scan, providing a single point of enrollment for all eligible flights.
To set up the ID pass, users add a new ID in Google Wallet, select the passport region, and follow prompts to scan the passport’s information page and security chip. A short video of the traveler’s face is recorded for verification before the pass is saved.
During flight check‑in, the digital boarding pass can be saved to Google Wallet. If the traveler qualifies, a “Get Started” button appears, leading to a TSA enrollment page where consent to share the ID and boarding pass is required. Upon confirmation, a Touchless ID icon is displayed on the boarding pass.
Availability of the dedicated Touchless ID lane varies by airport, and not all locations currently support the service. Travelers should verify lane access at their departure airport before relying on the feature.
