As of early July 2025, the longstanding TSA rule requiring most passengers to remove their shoes at airport security has been officially ended nationwide. This change, announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, replaces decades-old policy with advanced scanners and multi-layered screening instead of mandatory shoe removal  Travelers with standard IDs who previously had to remove shoes can now keep footwear on, similar to those in PreCheck lanes.

What Still Applies: Other screening steps remain unchanged. Passengers must still remove laptops, liquids, belts, jackets, and undergo identity verification—including REAL ID checks, which are nearing 94% compliance  TSA officers can still request shoe removal in specific cases or for additional screening

Why It Matters: The “shoes-on” policy rollback aims to streamline security lines, reduce wait times, and improve traveler experience—particularly with major events ahead like the 2026 World Cup, U.S. 250th birthday celebrations, and 2028 Olympics . However, experts say it’s not yet full peace of mind—security theatre remains, and other lengthy screening steps are firmly in place