Apple Wallet confirmed to support California digital IDs

Apple has confirmed that Californians can soon carry their driver's licenses and state IDs digitally on their iPhone and Apple Watch.

The new feature, set to be rolled out as part of California's mobile driver's license (mDL) pilot program, marks a significant step in the state's efforts to embrace digital identification. The move was rumored earlier in August, but the company officially confirmed it on Thursday.

Apple Wallet's integration with state IDs lets Californians present their iPhones or Apple Watches at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints and select businesses. The IDs can also verify age or identity in certain apps, making physical IDs obsolete.

California is not the first state to adopt this technology. Five other states — Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia, and Ohio — have already integrated driver's licenses and state IDs into Apple Wallet. The expansion of the technology across multiple states reflects a growing trend toward digital identification solutions that offer greater convenience without compromising security.

For those interested in learning more about the new feature or participating in the California DMV's mDL pilot program, additional information is available on the DMV's official website.

Apple Wallet is secure

Apple has incorporated several layers of security to protect users' personal information. When users add their ID to Apple Wallet, the state-issuing authority only receives the information required to approve or deny the request.

Once added, the ID information is encrypted and stored locally on the user's device, ensuring that it can't be accessed by Apple or any third party without the user's explicit consent.

Only the necessary information is shared when presenting an ID through Apple Wallet. Users authorize each transaction using Face ID or Touch ID for added security. Users don't need to unlock, show, or hand over their devices, protecting their privacy.

As more states follow suit, digital identification may soon become the new standard, although it will take a long time for physical IDs to become a thing of the past.

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10 Comments

ssfe11 103 comments · New User

About 3 months ago

Nice for CA! Eventually no need to carry wallet anymore. Cmon NY!

thescubadave 4 comments · 9 Years

I just signed up. As of now, your mDL (mobile drivers license) resides in the CA DMV Wallet app. It won't go into the Apple Wallet, which is probably why I can't get it onto my AppleWatch. It's still a pilot program and is not approved for if you get pulled over while driving in CA, isn't recognized yet in other states, and may not be recognized by businesses (all per the DMV FAQ). I'm thinking of it as a backup document for TSA for now.

eightzero 3145 comments · 14 Years

ssfe11 said:

Nice for CA! Eventually no need to carry wallet anymore. Cmon NY!

It will be a nice backup system. However, there is no chance whatsoever that I would ditch the physical version of a state DL or an insurance document when operating a motor vehicle. All you need is some...unsophisticated...individual that simply refuses to accept your "fake ID" and you're off to administrative hell.

And before you scoff, I had a similar instance happen with the digital vaccination card approved in my state. Had all the info that was then required, and I showed it to an individual that required it for access to a specific location, and they simply said, "oh, we need to see your card." Had I not had it, I would have been refused...and that would have been problematic at the time.

Same with car and house keys. These physical items will not be replaced by digital versions by me. Ever.

YMMV.

robin huber 4025 comments · 22 Years

thescubadave said:

I just signed up. As of now, your mDL (mobile drivers license) resides in the CA DMV Wallet app. It won't go into the Apple Wallet, which is probably why I can't get it onto my AppleWatch. It's still a pilot program and is not approved for if you get pulled over while driving in CA, isn't recognized yet in other states, and may not be recognized by businesses (all per the DMV FAQ). I'm thinking of it as a backup document for TSA for now.

Not only is it no good for cops if pulled over, I have yet to have anyone accept it as a valid ID. Basically worthless in its present state.

mpantone 2245 comments · 18 Years

eightzero said:

ssfe11 said:

Nice for CA! Eventually no need to carry wallet anymore. Cmon NY!

It will be a nice backup system. However, there is no chance whatsoever that I would ditch the physical version of a state DL or an insurance document when operating a motor vehicle. All you need is some...unsophisticated...individual that simply refuses to accept your "fake ID" and you're off to administrative hell.

And before you scoff, I had a similar instance happen with the digital vaccination card approved in my state. Had all the info that was then required, and I showed it to an individual that required it for access to a specific location, and they simply said, "oh, we need to see your card." Had I not had it, I would have been refused...and that would have been problematic at the time.

Same with car and house keys. These physical items will not be replaced by digital versions by me. Ever.

YMMV.

This is correct.

In addition, as long as credit card companies assess merchant transaction fees, some stores will be cash only. Others will offer discounts on cash purchases (many gas station chains have lower cash prices). There are many mom-and-pop stores, a few coffee shops, bars, that are cash only. Also, if you ever go to a farmers market or flea market without cash, you will be shut out by a lot of vendors who are cash only.

And even if the drivers license comes to the iPhone, it's still at the discretion of other parties to accept it as a legal document. You really need some sort of terminal to verify that the digital ID is legitimate. Anyone can fake a screenshot of a digital ID so just waving your phone in front of someone's face isn't going to do. Nightclubs, bars, concert halls will not uniformly and immediately install equipment to validate these digital IDs, so if you want to buy booze at some sports bar, you will need your physical card anyhow.

Let's say you go bar hopping with friends and unlike them, you only bring your digital ID leaving the physical cards (and plastic credit cards at home). What is only 1 in the four bars accepts digital IDs? What are going to do? Stand outside sipping water from a disposable cup while your pals quench their thirst? Nah, you have to bring your physical ID card until you are guaranteed that you won't ever need it. Hell, NFC contactless payment systems have been around for 20+ years and there are still places that are cash only. And even places that take credit cards don't always have POS terminals that accept NFC contactless payments.

Again, this is the type of thread that highlights who is naive and who isn't.