Finally Fixed: The Two Apple Wallet Upgrades We’ve Been Waiting For
How AI-driven order tracking and a universal Digital ID in iOS 26 reshape Apple’s digital wallet.
Apple Wallet has long promised to be the digital equivalent of your physical billfold—a secure, all-in-one hub for payment cards, transit passes, keys, and IDs. While Wallet has excelled in managing payments, its broader ambitions have often been held back by incomplete features and bureaucratic delays.
That changes with iOS 26.
With this latest update, Apple delivers two pivotal upgrades that transform Wallet from a simple cardholder into the intelligent, comprehensive app it was always intended to be. By harnessing Apple Intelligence and reimagining digital identity, Cupertino has addressed Wallet’s two biggest pain points: order tracking and identification.
Here’s why these updates matter and how they elevate the iPhone experience.
1. Order Tracking Gets an Intelligence Upgrade
When Apple introduced order tracking to Wallet in iOS 16, the concept was appealing: a central dashboard for every package headed your way. No more searching through email inboxes or copying tracking numbers into third-party apps.
But the execution fell short. The initial system required merchants and couriers to participate, and most did not. Retailers preferred customers use their own apps, so integration was limited. The result? A “universal” tracker that was anything but universal.
The Apple Intelligence Solution
In iOS 26, Apple has completely reworked this feature. Instead of relying on merchant partnerships, Wallet now uses Apple Intelligence to manage order tracking on the user’s device.
The new system securely analyzes confirmation emails directly on your iPhone. It extracts tracking numbers, carrier details, and purchase information, then automatically adds this data into Wallet.
No Merchant Integration Required: Works with any retailer that sends a standard confirmation email.
Centralized Dashboard: Track everything from Amazon shipments to food deliveries—all in one organized list.
Smart Summaries: Apple Intelligence highlights what matters—”Out for Delivery,” “Delayed,” or “Delivered”—so you get quick, actionable updates at a glance.
This shift toward a device-based, intelligence-driven model is a game-changer. It solves the adoption problem and delivers value immediately. To use this feature, tap the three-dot icon in Wallet and select ‘Orders.’
2. Digital ID: A Break from State Limitations
The introduction of digital driver’s licenses to Wallet was first announced over four years ago, but real progress has been slow. So far, just 12 states and Puerto Rico support adding a driver’s license to Wallet, leaving the majority of iPhone users unable to access a digital ID.
With iOS 26, Apple is taking matters into its own hands.
Meet Apple’s Digital ID
The new Digital ID feature lets users create a verifiable identity card within Wallet—no state DMV integration required. While it doesn’t replace a driver’s license for all legal purposes, it fills an important gap in digital verification.
Digital ID is designed for two main use cases:
TSA Checkpoints: Accepted at over 250 airports nationwide for proof of identity before boarding domestic flights.
Age Verification: Valid at select businesses and in apps like Uber Eats (for alcohol delivery), letting you confirm your age or identity without handing over your physical card or unlocked phone.
Why It Matters
By decoupling digital identity from state legislation, Apple makes this feature accessible to millions more users. No longer do you need to live in a particular state to leave your physical wallet at home for travel or a night out.
This universal approach also raises the bar for adoption. As more businesses and federal agencies accept Apple’s Digital ID, its utility only grows—potentially accelerating the rollout of official state-supported digital IDs in the future.
The Verdict: A Smarter, More Capable Wallet
For years, Apple Wallet delivered powerful technology constrained by external hurdles. With iOS 26, Apple removes these limitations.
By using on-device intelligence for order tracking and creating a digital ID standard available to all, Wallet takes a significant leap forward. No longer just a credit card repository, it’s finally evolving into the intelligent, versatile digital lifestyle hub Apple envisioned.
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