In the iOS 26 update, the Apple Wallet application received a set of new features that address the old shortcomings of the application, most notably tracking orders via artificial intelligence and the Digital ID feature.
First: Track orders via Apple Intelligence
Apple first introduced order tracking within Wallet in iOS 16, but the feature didn’t catch on due to its reliance on support from stores and shipping companies.
In iOS 26, things have changed completely; Wallet now extracts shipping information directly from a user’s emails via Apple Intelligence, without the need for third-party collaboration. So purchase details, shipping status, and alerts can be viewed in one place within Wallet.
To access orders, you can click on the three dots at the top of the application, then choose Orders and activate notifications from the Notifications menu.
Second: Digital ID without waiting for support from the states
Adoption of official digital IDs within Wallet has been delayed due to US states being slow to provide licenses, so Apple introduced a workaround with iOS 26.1 via Digital ID.
Although it cannot prove eligibility to drive, Digital ID can be used to verify identity or age at US airports and on some services, such as Uber Eats for alcohol orders.
Apple confirms that acceptance of the digital ID is expanding at more than 250 airports within the United States, in preparation for broader adoption in the future and perhaps accelerating the states’ later support for the official ID within Wallet.
