The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is retiring the dedicated Global Entry mobile app on September 15, shifting users to a broader platform called the Trusted Traveler app. ([1])This update affects travelers who have relied on the app to submit arrival details after international flights and proceed directly to a shorter inspection line. The change arrives as more airports adopt automated camera verification, altering how members move through customs at several major gateways. Frequent flyers will want to prepare ahead to keep their post-flight process smooth.
Why the timing matters for returning travelers
Global Entry has long offered expedited clearance for pre-approved members reentering the United States. The mobile app extended that convenience by letting users complete a digital declaration on their phones instead of stopping at a kiosk. With the September 15 cutoff, anyone planning an international arrival after that date needs the replacement tool ready on their device. The transition keeps the core benefit intact while expanding access to related programs under one roof.
Stakeholders include the millions of active Global Entry members, plus those enrolled in NEXUS and SENTRI. Airlines and airport operators have coordinated with federal agencies to ensure signage and instructions reflect the new app. No membership status changes, and existing login credentials carry over without interruption.
What the Trusted Traveler app delivers
The new application performs every function the Global Entry app currently handles, from arrival declarations to membership management. It also serves as the central hub for starting or renewing applications across trusted traveler programs. Users can navigate enrollment for Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI through the same interface, reducing the need to track multiple portals.
Because the platform consolidates these services, travelers gain a single point of reference for their cross-border travel credentials. The federal government has confirmed that no additional steps or fees apply simply because of the app switch. Members continue to enjoy the same five-year membership term once approved.
Parallel updates at major airports
Alongside the app change, DHS has rolled out camera-based verification at six high-volume airports. At Boston Logan, Dallas Fort Worth, John F. Kennedy, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle-Tacoma, members have their photos captured and matched upon entering the customs area. This allows them to bypass kiosks entirely and proceed straight to an officer for final clearance.
The technology streamlines movement for those already familiar with Global Entry lanes. It builds on the app’s goal of shortening wait times while maintaining security standards. Travelers arriving at other airports will continue using existing kiosk or officer procedures until further expansions occur.
Practical steps before your next trip
Download the Trusted Traveler app from official stores once it becomes available on September 15. Confirm your existing Global Entry credentials work within the new interface and review any pending renewal dates. Those who hold reimbursable credit cards can still offset the $120 five-year fee through standard benefits.
Review airport-specific guidance for your return airport, especially if it is one of the six with camera systems. Keeping the app updated and your membership details current ensures the fastest possible clearance. The overall program structure remains unchanged for most members, preserving the value that has made Global Entry a staple for regular international travelers.
What matters now
- Switch to the Trusted Traveler app by September 15 to maintain mobile declaration capability.
- Existing memberships and logins transfer automatically.
- Camera verification is already active at BOS, DFW, JFK, PHL, SFO, and SEA.
- The $120 fee and credit-card reimbursements continue without alteration.
The shift reflects ongoing efforts to modernize trusted traveler processes while keeping the focus on reliable, efficient reentry for approved members. Staying prepared with the new app supports the same seamless experience that has defined the program for years.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.