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UK Digital Passport on Phone: Google Wallet Big Update Explained
Google Wallet is getting a big upgrade, and soon, people in the UK will be able to store their passports on their phones. This new feature, called a UK digital passport on phone, is part of Google’s bigger plan to make digital IDs more common and easy to use.
But that’s not all. Google is also going to support digital ID in more parts of the world and add helpful features that make everyday tasks safer and faster.
Let’s look at what’s changing and why it matters in the rest of the article on the Orcacore website.
Table of Contents
What Is Google Wallet UK Digital Passport on Phone?
A digital passport on your phone is a digital version of your real passport stored securely in your Google Wallet app. It won’t fully replace your paper passport just yet, but it can help prove your identity for things like online services that ask for ID, buying age-restricted items (like alcohol), and verifying who you are in stores or at government offices.
Google says the setup process will be easy: scan your passport, scan the chip inside it, then take a short video selfie to confirm your identity. That’s it!
In the most recent Google Wallet update, it adds support for digital UK passports.
Where does Google Wallet support digital IDs?
The UK is joining several U.S. states and regions already testing digital ID features. Right now, Google Wallet supports digital IDs in:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Maryland
- New Mexico
More places are coming soon, including:
- Arkansas
- Montana
- West Virginia
- Puerto Rico
- Iowa
- Ohio
This shows that Google Wallet is expanding fast, and soon more people around the world will be able to store their ID on their phone.
How Will People Use Their Digital IDs?
In the U.S., Google has shared some real-world examples of how people can use their mobile IDs:
At the DMV: In Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, and New Mexico, people will be able to use their phone-based ID at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to speed up services like renewing a license.
Online services: Google is working with companies to make digital IDs useful on websites and apps. For example, users can recover their Amazon account, access health services through CVS or MyChart (by Epic), verify profiles on Uber, and more!
This means your phone’s digital ID won’t just help in person, it’ll also make things smoother and safer online.
What is Google ZKP technology?
One of the new features in Google Wallet is called Zero Knowledge Proof, or ZKP. ZKP is a privacy tool that helps you prove your age without revealing your name, address, or full identity. So if you’re buying alcohol or signing up for a service that needs to check your age, ZKP will confirm you’re old enough, without giving away extra personal details. This is a big win for privacy, especially for teens and young adults.
Google says it will:
- Use ZKP where it makes sense across other Google products
- Open-source the ZKP tech, so other wallets and online platforms can use it
- Work with apps like Bumble, which will use digital IDs and ZKP to keep online dating safer
So your UK digital passport on your phone might one day help you verify who you are on dating apps or age-restricted websites, while protecting your privacy.
Is Google Wallet Digital Passport Safe?
Yes, Google has strong security features. Your data is encrypted, so no one can read it without permission, and you will need a fingerprint or PIN to open your passport on your phone. Also, you can remotely remove your digital passport from a lost or stolen phone. ZKP means no one sees more than they need to.
In short, your digital ID will be safer than carrying a physical one in your wallet.
Can the UK Digital Passport be used for Travel?
For now, you cannot use the UK digital passport on your phone to travel internationally. You’ll still need your physical passport at the airport. But this may change in the future as more countries accept digital IDs.
That said, you can use it for other everyday things like proving your age or confirming your identity for job applications or renting a car.
Global Updates for Google Digital Wallet
Google also announced that Google Wallet will be coming to 50 more countries soon! But in many of those places, it will only support digital passes (like event tickets or loyalty cards), not payments or digital IDs, at least for now.
Still, it’s a good sign that digital wallets are growing around the world, and soon, millions more people will be able to store important things on their phones.
How to get ready for using UK digital passport on phone?
To use your UK digital passport on your phone once it launches, you’ll need:
- An Android phone with NFC
- The Google Wallet app
- A valid UK passport
- A secure screen lock (PIN, pattern, fingerprint)
Once it becomes available in your region, just follow the setup steps in the app.
Final Words
Google Wallet is turning your phone into more than just a payment tool. With digital ID support including the UK digital passport on your phone, it’s becoming a smart, secure place to carry the most important parts of your identity.
You’ll be able to use your digital passport at shops, online services, and government offices, and more features are coming soon. Add in privacy tech like ZKP, and it’s clear that Google is trying to make life easier and safer for users everywhere.
Hope you enjoy it. For more information, you can check the Google blogs.
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