These States Will Let Your iPhone Be Your Driver’s License

Apple’s Digital ID Revolution: Your iPhone Is Now Your Wallet’s MVP

For years, tech enthusiasts have been promised the dream of leaving their bulky physical wallets at home, and now, with Apple’s latest move, that dream is finally becoming a practical reality. The tech giant has taken a major leap forward by allowing users to store their driver’s licenses directly on their iPhones through Apple Wallet. This isn’t just another tech concept floating around—it’s a tangible, everyday convenience that could transform how we handle identification, especially for those who dread fumbling for a plastic card at the most inconvenient moments.

The rollout of this feature is significant, particularly for travelers. Apple has enabled users to add their driver’s licenses to Apple Wallet, which can now be used at TSA checkpoints in airports across certain states. If you live in one of the supported states and own a compatible iPhone, this upgrade is nothing short of a game-changer. I had the chance to test this feature in California, and I was genuinely surprised by how seamless the setup process was. All it takes is an iPhone 8 or newer running the appropriate version of iOS, and depending on your state’s rollout, you might hit a few snags—but overall, it’s a small tech shift that can make your travel day infinitely smoother.

However, it’s important to note that the use cases for digital IDs are still extremely limited at this point. While the adoption of this technology is expected to grow, don’t expect to waltz into a nightclub or bar with just your iPhone anytime soon. The infrastructure for widespread use is still in its infancy, and it will take time for merchants, event venues, and other establishments to invest in the necessary hardware to support digital IDs.

States Currently Supporting Digital IDs in Apple Wallet

Only a handful of states currently support digital IDs in Apple Wallet, but that number is steadily growing. One key factor is how each state implements its Mobile Driver’s License (mDL) system. For instance, states like Louisiana, New York, Utah, and Virginia support mobile driver’s licenses but require separate apps for digital IDs. Here’s a list of states and territories that currently support digital IDs in Apple Wallet:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Maryland
• Montana
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Puerto Rico
• West Virginia

It’s worth noting that some states originally announced to support Apple’s digital ID haven’t quite gotten there yet. The number of states supported in Apple Wallet is about half of what the TSA currently allows. Collectively, the TSA accepts digital IDs across Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet, and state-based mobile apps in 15 states.

iPhone Requirements for Adding Your Driver’s License to Apple Wallet

Before you get too excited, it’s crucial to understand that where you live is just the start. You also need to have the right iPhone model and the correct software setup. Here are the minimum requirements that Apple lists:

• An iPhone 8 or later with the latest version of iOS
• Face or Touch ID enabled on your device
• Two-factor authentication enabled on your Apple account
• A license or ID from a participating state or territory
• Your device’s region set to the United States

I’ll delve deeper into the iPhone 8 and iOS requirement later, as there’s a catch that might surprise some users.

My Experience Adding My ID to My iPhone

For testing purposes, I used the iPhone 16E. The process of adding my ID was surprisingly simple. I scanned the front and back of my ID, and the next step was to verify my identity. This part wasn’t nearly as nerve-wracking as I thought it would be. Instead, it involved taking a live photo of my face for 2.5 seconds. After that, more verification was required, which came in the form of a series of different photos, with prompts directing me to close my eyes, open my mouth, smile, and tip my head down. This verification process took about three minutes—or longer in my case, as I got distracted writing notes about the process and then found I had to restart the whole thing.

Then, after I submitted those photos, there was another verification step, presumably with the photos relayed to the California DMV. A screen message told me that I would receive a notification when there was an update. I expected this to take a long time, but not even 10 minutes later, a notification telling me that my ID was ready to use popped up. That was easy.

What About Older iPhones?

So, not every phone you think might work will actually do so. The first time I tested adding my ID, I was using an iPhone 8 Plus. But when I arrived at the setup page within Apple Wallet, I was given eight states to choose from, and California wasn’t one of them. That surprised me. I’d found a helpful Apple support article that explained the requirements for adding a driver’s license or state-issued ID to Apple Wallet, and it seemed like I shouldn’t have any trouble.

At first, I thought the roadblock was that I hadn’t set up Touch ID yet. But no, California was still not on my list of eight states. (Equally confusing, a colleague of mine also tried this with an iPhone 8, and Apple Wallet only listed four states.) I went back to the Apple support article and looked for fine print, and sure enough, there it was. I’d ignored the asterisk in the requirements, because California has had its Mobile Driver’s License program set up for some time now.

The fine print at the very bottom of the page states, “For California, ID in Apple Wallet requires iPhone XS or later with iOS 17.5 or later.” (For Puerto Rico, if you want to add your driver’s license or ID to Apple Wallet, you’ll need to have an iPhone XS or later with iOS 18.1.)

So if you’re holding onto an iPhone 8 or iPhone X and live in California, you won’t be able to add your driver’s license to your iPhone because of the lack of software support. iOS 16 is the last supported version of the operating system for iPhone 8 and X models.

How to Add Your ID or Driver’s License to Apple Wallet

If you live in a state that supports digital IDs for Apple Wallet, it’s easy to add one. After it’s added, you’ll need to verify your identity, which can take a little longer but it’s still a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Apple Wallet.
2. Tap the Add button.
3. Tap Driver’s License or ID and select your location.
4. If applicable, choose whether you want to add your ID to your iPhone only or your iPhone and your Apple Watch.
5. Follow the steps to scan your license or ID.

(Make sure you scan your ID in a well-lit environment and that the image is in focus.)

Once it’s scanned, you’ll be prompted to confirm your identity with a selfie photo. According to Apple, you may be asked to complete a number of facial or head movements for identification purposes.

To ensure an easier verification process, Apple suggests that you:

• Stand in front of a plain background with neutral, light paint.
• Be in a well-lit area, ideally indoors.
• Take off sunglasses, masks, hats, or other accessories that could block your face.
• Hold your iPhone steady.

When you’re finished, submit your information by confirming with Touch or Face ID. Your biometrics will be bound to the ID, so only you can use it.

How to Transfer Your Digital ID to Another iPhone

If you upgrade your iPhone, you’ll need to transfer your ID or driver’s license to it. Here’s how to do it:

1. During initial setup, tap Wallet.
2. Select your ID.
3. Follow the steps.
4. Tap to confirm you want to move your driver’s license or ID to the new device.

So, Now What?

Your digital ID isn’t just a photo of your ID that you can pull up within Apple Wallet. In fact, you don’t even see a full image of your physical ID. In order to actually view your information from your digital ID, you’ll need to tap on your ID “card” in Apple Wallet, tap the “i” at the top-right of the screen, and then tap State ID info or Card Information (the wording may be different depending on what version of iOS your iPhone is running). From there, it will show your ID photo as well as essential pieces of information from your physical ID.

TSA checkpoints that support digital IDs require a dedicated scanner, so the process may not necessarily feel like it’s faster than showing your physical ID to the agent.

Here’s a video of the process via the Maryland Department of Transportation:

The idea of a digital ID is pretty convenient but overall, it probably won’t save you a meaningful amount of time. Couple that fact with its incredibly limited use cases right now and the fact that merchant or event adoption will require investment in proper hardware, and it’s pretty easy to see just how far off we are from ditching physical IDs.

Selling or Trading In Your iPhone? Do This First

When you move on from a phone that has your ID on it, you’ll want to do the same thing you do with other sensitive info like credit or debit cards and passwords: Remove it. So before you wipe your iPhone to sell or trade it in, you should manually remove your ID first. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to Apple Wallet and tap your ID in the list.
2. Tap the “i” button at the top right of the screen.
3. Tap Remove State ID (or Driver’s License).
4. Read the warning that pops up and tap Remove.

Digital Passports Are Coming to Apple Wallet with iOS 26

While states are taking time to implement digital ID systems, Apple announced a feature coming in iOS 26 this year: You can add a digital passport to Apple Wallet. When that feature is available, iPhone users will be able to scan their passports to create a digital version for identity verification during domestic travel. You won’t be able to use it for international travel, and it’s not a full replacement for a physical passport (so keep your physical one on you), but it should work at the 250-plus supported TSA checkpoints.

During its WWDC keynote in June, Apple said that the digital ID made from your passport can also be used “in apps and in person” but it didn’t give any specifics. This is essentially what can be done on Android through Google Wallet.

Verify with Wallet ID Verification Could Make Ordering Alcohol Easier

Also headed to iPhones this fall is an easier way for you to prove your age using your digital ID. Say you want to have a bottle of wine sent to your place via Uber Eats. Typically, when the driver arrives, you’ll need to present your ID and have it scanned to complete the transaction, but with the new Verify with Wallet, your stored digital ID will be used to verify your age. (I do wonder if things might get more complicated when the delivery arrives if you’re not the one receiving it.)

Verify with Wallet will be supported by Chime, Turo, Uber Eats, and U.S. Bank.

For more, don’t miss what you should know about flying domestically without a Real ID in 2025.

Tags: Apple Wallet, digital ID, driver’s license, TSA, iPhone, iOS, mobile driver’s license, travel, convenience, technology, Apple, verification, biometric, identity, passport, Uber Eats, Chime, Turo, U.S. Bank, Real ID, domestic travel, iOS 26, WWDC, Maryland Department of Transportation.

Viral Phrases:

• “Your iPhone is now your wallet’s MVP”
• “The dream of leaving your bulky physical wallet at home is finally becoming a practical reality”
• “A small tech shift that can make your travel day infinitely smoother”
• “It’s a game-changer for travelers”
• “The future of identification is here”
• “Apple’s latest move is a major leap forward”
• “The process was surprisingly simple”
• “This part wasn’t nearly as nerve-wracking as I thought it would be”
• “That was easy”
• “The idea of a digital ID is pretty convenient”
• “The future of identification is here”
• “Apple’s latest move is a major leap forward”
• “The process was surprisingly simple”
• “This part wasn’t nearly as nerve-wracking as I thought it would be”
• “That was easy”
• “The idea of a digital ID is pretty convenient”

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