Apple Wallet digital driver’s license now available in 10 US states; here’s how to activate yours |
Apple has taken another step toward a wallet-free future by introducing digital driver’s licenses and state IDs directly into the Apple Wallet app. This feature, now live in 10 U.S. states and expanding further, allows iPhone and Apple Watch users to securely store their government-issued identification alongside credit cards, boarding passes, and transit tickets. Designed with multiple layers of verification, including facial recognition and DMV approval, Apple Wallet IDs provide both convenience and enhanced security. Whether at TSA checkpoints in select airports or in everyday identity checks, this innovation is transforming how Americans carry and use their identification.
What is Apple’s digital driver’s license feature
Apple’s digital ID system allows users to upload and store a secure version of their driver’s license or state identification card directly in the Wallet app. Instead of carrying a physical card, individuals can present a verified digital version using Face ID or Touch ID authentication.This feature is designed with airport security and business verification in mind. Currently, its use is primarily limited to domestic travel and select checkpoints, but Apple plans to expand its functionality in the near future.
Which states support Apple Wallet digital IDs
According to Apple Wallet, as of August 2025, a total of 10 states and territories support Apple Wallet digital driver’s licenses:
- Arizona (since March 2022)
- Maryland (since May 2022)
- Colorado (since November 2022)
- Georgia (since May 2023)
- Ohio (since July 2024)
- Hawaii (since August 2024)
- California (since September 2024)
- Iowa (since October 2024)
- New Mexico (since December 2024)
- Puerto Rico (since December 2024)
- Montana (announced in 2025)
Apple has confirmed that at least seven more states have signed agreements to adopt the feature, including West Virginia, Connecticut, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah, and Illinois. Interestingly, Japan is the first country outside the US to confirm support, with its My Number Card system set to integrate with Apple Wallet.
How to add your license to Apple wallet
Adding a driver’s license or ID to Apple Wallet involves a multi-step security process:
Source: Apple Wallet
On your iPhone, open the Wallet app and tap the + button.
- Select Driver’s License or State ID
Source: Apple Wallet
Choose Driver’s License or State ID from the available options.
Source: Apple Wallet
Use your iPhone camera to scan the front and back of your license or state ID.
- Complete Face Verification
Source: Apple Wallet
Follow the on-screen prompts to take a selfie.Some states may require additional actions (like blinking or tilting your head).
Source: Apple Wallet
Your scanned ID and verification images are securely sent to your state’s DMV or issuing authority.
Source: Apple Wallet
The DMV verifies your identity. Processing time may vary by state.Once approved, your digital ID will be available in Wallet on both iPhone and Apple Watch.This layered process ensures that only verified identities are added to the Wallet, reducing the risk of fraud.
Where can you use Apple Wallet IDs
Currently, Apple Wallet IDs are most commonly accepted at TSA checkpoints for domestic US flights. While a physical passport is still required for international travel, Apple has announced that iOS 26 will support US passports digitally, expanding future travel convenience.Digital IDs can also be used to prove age or identity at some businesses, though Apple has yet to release an official nationwide list.
Airports accepting Apple Wallet IDs
A growing number of US airports accept digital IDs, including:
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
- Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
- Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Great Falls International Airport (GTF)
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
- Missoula International Airport (MSO)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)
The list continues to expand as more TSA checkpoints adopt digital verification.
Future of digital IDs in Apple wallet
Apple’s long-term goal is to make the Wallet app a complete replacement for physical wallets. By combining IDs, boarding passes, payment cards, and tickets into one secure ecosystem, Apple is paving the way for a future where carrying physical documents may no longer be necessary.With more states and even international governments adopting the feature, the digital driver’s license revolution is only beginning.Also Read | 19-year-old Sam Altman presenting his first startup Loopt in a neon polo after leaving Stanford goes viral| Watch the rare footage
