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Arizona is first state to launch drivers' license in Apple Wallet

Last updated

Arizona residents can now add their drivers' license, or state ID, to Apple Wallet, which lets them use an iPhone, or Apple Watch, to check in at selected TSA checkpoints.

As Apple continues to discuss bringing digital drivers' licenses to US states, Arizona has become the first to take the system live for its residents.

"We're thrilled to bring the first driver's license and state ID in Wallet to Arizona today," said Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, in a statement, " and provide Arizonans with an easy, secure, and private way to present their ID when traveling, through just a tap of their iPhone or Apple Watch."

"We look forward to working with many more states and the TSA to bring IDs in Wallet to users across the US," she continued.

The feature does not require users to update iOS. It's not known whether the function works on iOS versions before the latest iOS 15.4, but it is enabled by Apple.

While it is currently only accepting Arizona state ID, the function appears to now be visible in Wallet for all US users. If a user is an Arizona resident, they can open the Wallet, tap the + sign and then choose Drivers' License or State ID.

They are then prompted to scan the ID, both front and back.

At launch, Wallet can be only be used at an unspecified number of TSA security checkpoints at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Apple also announced that the states of Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and the territory of Puerto Rico plan to bring the technology to its residents. This is in addition to seven other states that Apple previously announced.



29 Comments

Appleish 8 Years · 717 comments

No way would I show my iPhone to any policeman or security guard.

JFC_PA 7 Years · 947 comments

Appleish said:
No way would I show my iPhone to any policeman or security guard.

There‘a the watch feature plus Apple has a restricted access feature where the only thing available is that one app, nothing else, so general access to the rest of the phone is blocked. 


 And a Wallet contained license is displayable from the Lock Screen. 

dkhaley 7 Years · 57 comments

A dystopian novelist might write that in 2022, brainwashed humans began carrying a microchip that they must present to authorities on demand. (I'm not saying this is in fact the case, but it's a perspective).

mike1 10 Years · 3437 comments

Appleish said:
No way would I show my iPhone to any policeman or security guard.

Not a problem if it doesn't leave my possession. Like at an airport check in.

ihatescreennames 19 Years · 1977 comments

Appleish said:
No way would I show my iPhone to any policeman or security guard.

I have used my iPhone to present airline tickets to TSA as well as to the gate agent for several years. The phone doesn’t get unlocked and never leaves my hands. I don’t see how this would be any different except adding an extra swipe so I can present both. 

Can you explain your hesitation?