Google has recently announced its plan to enable native support for digital credentials such as IDs and passports on Android devices. This development means that in the future, users will have more functionality than merely storing their identification documents in Google Wallet. Many users may not realize that Google Wallet already has limited support for ID and passport storage, as the feature is still in the process of being widely rolled out across various states, often requiring collaboration with state governments. Currently, Google Wallet can hold digital credentials like credit and debit cards, and more recently, passports, but these do not facilitate digital verification.

Users must still present their credentials physically when required. The new native support for digital credentials aims to change this, providing a more seamless verification experience across apps and websites. With the upcoming update, users will be able to select specific digital credentials stored on their devices when identity verification is necessary. For instance, if you are shopping online or booking a flight through an airline app, the app may request ID verification.

In this scenario, Android will present options for which digital credential you would like to use. Once selected, Android will share only essential information, such as your legal name and the expiration date of the credential, ensuring that your private data remains secure. Additionally, this feature allows apps and websites to issue digital credentials directly to users. They will have the flexibility to choose where to store these credentials, whether in Google Wallet or another platform.

While Google has not provided a concrete timeline for this functionality’s rollout, the company is actively working on implementation, with other services like Samsung Wallet and 1Password also supporting user digital credentials.