Samsung Galaxy phones get a new way to fill in as your US passport using CLEAR

At a glance:

• Samsung Wallet now supports a digital US passport powered by CLEAR, usable at more than 250 TSA checkpoints.
• No paid CLEAR membership is required; the basic CLEAR ID is sufficient, though a CLEAR+ upgrade is optional.
• Users can add the passport via Quick Access → + → Digital IDs → Samsung ID with CLEAR in the Samsung Wallet app.

What the feature does

Samsung has announced a partnership with CLEAR to bring a digital version of the United States passport to Samsung Wallet users. The service leverages CLEAR’s existing integration with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), meaning the digital passport can be presented at participating airports in place of a physical booklet. Samsung describes the offering as “Samsung ID with CLEAR,” and it will appear alongside other digital IDs such as state driver’s licenses already supported in the wallet.

The rollout is limited to “select” airports, but Samsung claims the feature will be accepted at more than 250 TSA checkpoints across the United States. This number reflects the combined footprint of airports that have already deployed CLEAR’s biometric verification lanes and those that have added support for digital IDs. Travelers who enroll will still need to go through the standard security screening process, but the passport data will be verified automatically by CLEAR’s backend.

How to set it up

To add the digital passport, users open Samsung Wallet, navigate to Quick Access > + > Digital IDs > Samsung ID with CLEAR, and tap Get Card. The app then prompts the user to verify their identity with CLEAR, which involves a one‑time biometric check (fingerprint or facial scan) and the upload of the physical passport’s details. Once cleared, the digital passport card appears in the wallet and can be selected at the TSA checkpoint scanner.

Importantly, a paid CLEAR membership is not a prerequisite. The basic CLEAR ID, which is free for this specific use case, suffices to create the digital passport. An optional upgrade to CLEAR+ is offered for users who want additional benefits such as faster lane access, but the upgrade does not affect the ability to use the digital passport.

Availability and limitations

The feature is currently available only on Samsung Galaxy devices that support Samsung Wallet, which includes most flagship and recent mid‑range models released in the past few years. Samsung notes that the digital passport does not replace the separate process for adding a digital state ID; those remain distinct cards within the wallet. Both cards—digital passport and digital state ID—are accepted at the same TSA checkpoints, giving travelers flexibility depending on the documents they prefer to carry.

Because the integration relies on CLEAR’s infrastructure, any airport that has not yet installed CLEAR’s verification kiosks will not support the digital passport. Samsung expects broader adoption as more airports adopt CLEAR’s technology, but until then, users may encounter friction at locations that only accept physical passports.

Comparison with Google Wallet

Google recently expanded its own passport integration in Google Wallet, but it does not use CLEAR’s verification process. Instead, Google relies on direct data feeds from the U.S. Department of State. The differing verification paths could lead to inconsistent acceptance at certain checkpoints, especially where TSA agents are accustomed to CLEAR’s biometric checks. Samsung’s approach may appeal to travelers who already use CLEAR for expedited security lanes, while Google’s solution could be more attractive to users who prefer a single‑provider ecosystem.

Both ecosystems face the broader challenge of user adoption: many travelers remain accustomed to physical passports and may be hesitant to switch to a digital format until the experience proves seamless and universally accepted.

What to watch next

Analysts will be monitoring airport rollout schedules, as the number of TSA checkpoints supporting the Samsung‑Clear passport grows. Additionally, the partnership could set a precedent for other biometric verification providers to integrate with mobile wallets, potentially expanding digital ID use beyond air travel to venues like stadiums and border crossings. Samsung has not disclosed pricing for the digital passport service, but the fact that a free CLEAR ID suffices suggests a low‑cost entry point for early adopters.

Future updates may also clarify whether the digital passport will be accepted for international flights departing from U.S. airports, a scenario that would require coordination with foreign customs and immigration authorities.