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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

MyTSA vs Mobile Passport Control

MyTSA 4.6★ · Free to download 40
Winner Mobile Passport Control
Mobile Passport Control 4.9★ · Free to download 75

Mobile Passport Control is the better choice for international travelers seeking to expedite customs, despite some inconsistencies, while MyTSA struggles with the accuracy of its core feature: wait times.

Full reviews: MyTSA · Mobile Passport Control

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) generally succeeds in its goal of speeding up re-entry into the US, with many users praising its ease of use and time-saving benefits, though some encounter issues with closed lanes or app glitches. MyTSA, on the other hand, is frequently criticized for inaccurate security wait times, which undermines its primary utility, despite some users appreciating its design and other features.

Head to head

Features edge: Mobile Passport ControlR2R3R5R14
MyTSA MyTSA offers information on what items can be brought through security, airport maps, and the ability to check TSA PreCheck expiration dates, though the latter feature has reportedly been removed R2R3R14. Users also desire features like a 'Report a Security Concern' button and live wait times R5R17.
Mobile Passport Control Mobile Passport Control allows users to submit passport and declaration information digitally to expedite re-entry into the US . Users appreciate the ability to pre-fill information and the overall seamless process . However, some wish the app would save traveler data between trips to avoid re-entering information .
Ease of Use edge: Mobile Passport ControlR2R11R15R18
MyTSA MyTSA has a good UI design and is generally considered accessible and easy to use by some R2R11. However, some users report bugs, such as the app crashing when trying to access the TSA website on an iPad or issues with updating airport line times R15R18.
Mobile Passport Control Mobile Passport Control is widely praised for being easy to navigate, simple to set up, and intuitive . Users find the process straightforward for completing required paperwork . Some users, however, found it confusing, especially regarding declaration details or saving information .
Reliability tieR4R7R10R12
MyTSA MyTSA is frequently criticized for highly inaccurate security wait times, with many users reporting significant discrepancies between the app's estimates and actual wait times R4R7R10R13. The app's wait times are often described as historical averages rather than real-time data R4R12R48.
Mobile Passport Control Mobile Passport Control's reliability is inconsistent, primarily due to issues with airport implementation rather than the app itself. Many users report that MPC lanes are frequently closed or unstaffed at major airports, rendering the app useless R73. There are also reports of the app hanging or not registering submissions .
Price/Value edge: Mobile Passport ControlR13R25R46R48
MyTSA MyTSA is a free app, but its value is severely diminished by the inaccuracy of its core feature (wait times), leading many users to call it useless or a waste of time R13R25R46R48.
Mobile Passport Control Mobile Passport Control is a free app that many users find provides significant value by saving time during re-entry into the US R71R74. However, its value is negated when MPC lanes are closed or unstaffed, making it a waste of time for those users R73.
Support tieR3R9R15R17
MyTSA There is no direct feedback on MyTSA's support. However, users express frustration over unaddressed bugs and the lack of real-time wait time updates, suggesting a disconnect between user needs and app development R3R9R15R17.
Mobile Passport Control There is no direct feedback on Mobile Passport Control's support. However, users express frustration with airport personnel who are unhelpful or belligerent when MPC lanes are closed or issues arise . Some also note that the app's listed availability at airports can be misleading .
Pick MyTSA if

Pick MyTSA if you primarily need to check what items are allowed through security or want a general overview of airport information, and are not relying on accurate, real-time wait times R2.

Pick Mobile Passport Control if

Pick Mobile Passport Control if you are an international traveler looking for a potentially faster way to clear customs upon re-entry to the US, and are willing to risk the possibility of closed MPC lanes at your arrival airport R71R74.

Evidence note: MyTSA's reviews are heavily skewed by negative feedback regarding inaccurate wait times, which is its primary advertised feature. Mobile Passport Control's negative reviews often stem from airport operational issues (closed lanes) rather than inherent app flaws, but these still impact user experience directly.

Frequently asked

How accurate are the wait times in the MyTSA app?
The MyTSA app's wait times are frequently reported by users as inaccurate and unreliable, often reflecting historical estimates rather than real-time data R4R7R12R13.
Does Mobile Passport Control guarantee faster customs processing?
While Mobile Passport Control is designed to expedite customs processing and many users report significant time savings, it does not guarantee faster processing because its effectiveness is dependent on whether the MPC lanes are open and staffed at the arrival airport R71R73R74R76.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] MyTSA 5/5 · US My favorite app as a frequent flyer: The app is very accessible and works very well on my device. I has just re-downloaded it because it is such an amazing app. The AI has issues but besides that it is a pretty amazing app when I’m not sure something can get through the TSA I will check the app. I have to fly to school ever week so this gets handy when my teachers or AIDS give me something that I
  2. [R3] MyTSA 3/5 · US Expiration Date?!?!????: It used to show when my TSA precheck will expire but why does it no longer show in the app. Make it make sense. On the next update, please return to previous format.
  3. [R5] MyTSA 5/5 · US Needs: Report Airport Security concern: Excellent app, easy to use with useful airport info. Just needs a button to “Report a Security Concern” quickly and discreetly like DEN, DFW and SEA have in their See Say Airport apps. Let’s all keep travel safe.
  4. [R14] MyTSA 5/5 · US I wish MyTSA would include COVID notification: myTSA will be great for travelers if we get notification if someone got positive! This will be a great traveling tool! The new design is sick! Kudos to that!
  5. [R11] MyTSA 5/5 · US A good UI design: Finally! More apps and websites need to do this. It really helps your company out-an attractive design can do nothing but draw in more users.
  6. [R15] MyTSA 3/5 · US I’m not a tester, but it seems there are some bugs in the app: Over all, I would recommend the app. Currently there are some bugs that do need addressed. Example: if you go to the tab for ask TSA on the iPad, if you click on the tsa website. The app crashes. On a cellphone it goes to the website. That is just one example. To me not being able to access what you need could be a problem. That is w
  7. [R18] MyTSA 3/5 · US Check in doesn’t work: Updating an airport line time rarely works. Even if you are just feet away from security. Stl and Tpa in particular.
  8. [R4] MyTSA 1/5 · US Not live reports: Maybe this used to work but it does not reflect accurate live times if you compare to airport websites which report actual live times. This is useless and just gives estimates based on history. And can be amazingly inaccurate
  9. [R7] MyTSA 1/5 · US Horrible!: Wish I could rate this a zero. First of all, it says the wait times at all JFK terminals is the same. How can all 4 terminals have the same wait time! And the max wait time it displays is “greater than 60 minutes.” This could be 61 minutes or it could be 200 minutes…. No way to tell.
  10. [R10] MyTSA 1/5 · US WRONG: Said wait time was 60 minutes, there was no wait, it took longer to work thru the back and forth turns to get to security.
  11. [R12] MyTSA 3/5 · US Not Real Time Info: The app is a great idea. I figured I can see how good or bad the wait at the security lines is. However, after using it I determined it is just giving you the collective average wait time for that time on that day - not what is actually happening. The average wait time for 3:00 on a Monday based on months or years of data. It’s still useful but not nearly as much as I hoped.
  12. [R13] MyTSA 1/5 · US Actually worthless: Has no relationship to reality. Don’t bother downloading as you can’t trust it.
  13. [R25] MyTSA 2/5 · US Bad App: Worthless. It does not tell you realtime waits
  14. [R46] MyTSA 1/5 · US Security times are ESTIMATES: Security times are NOT REAL TIME and are only estimates. This app is pointless
  15. [R48] MyTSA 1/5 · US Useless: Gives average wait times, not actual wait times.
  16. [R9] MyTSA 3/5 · US Wait time accuracy is critical for this app: Need to focus on improving accuracy even if it is done for just 10 airports before making it available to all US airports. Same tech that is used for Google maps traffic can be used because nearly 100% people are carrying cell phones that are tracking locations / wait times
  17. [R17] MyTSA 5/5 · US Wow!!! This new design!!: I love the new design! The airports map is really helpful! I wish you have implemented this feature before. However, the feature that I was waiting for is still missing. Actual wait times live!! Hoping to see this on your next update!
  18. [R71] Mobile Passport Control 5/5 · US Must Have!: Amazing! I was able to get back into the country so easy.
  19. [R73] Mobile Passport Control 1/5 · US Lanes aren’t staffed, so what’s the value?!: I have not been able to use this service is Newark for years. I highly recommend saving your sanity and just pass this app by.
  20. [R74] Mobile Passport Control 5/5 · US Seamless Experience: This is an absolute must for regular international travelers or just the occasional traveler if you want easy Peezy, this is for you
  21. [R76] Mobile Passport Control 1/5 · US Mobile passport lane closed: The mobile passport lane was closed. What’s the point of downloading the app if you’re not going to be of use in a major airport like DFW

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store