Apple Said iPhone Driver's Licenses Would Expand to These 8 U.S. States… Two Years Ago

[gumbyhw]

It’s like CarPlay: won’t be seriously adopted until there’s an Android equivalent. Apple should pull an iTunes and make an Android app.

califormia has its own system and says they are “planning” to add it to phone wallets. Probably other states are too.

 

[mac-imperator]

New York being New York, I'm not surprised that they aren't in the "committed" column. 😆😆😆

 

[bondjw07]

I have a Maryland license on my iPhone and this rarely works at TSA checkpoints at the airport. I've been tired of holding up the line so I only try this if the line is short.

Were you trying at BWI? I know they say it works but I've always wondered

 

[cjgrif]

This is a solution looking for a problem.

"License and registration, please."

"Oh, here officer. Just take my whole unlocked phone and feel free to do whatever you want with it."

Just like you don't hand your unlocked phone to the cashier to pay with Apple Pay, you don't hand over your unlocked phone to use this.

 

[bondjw07]

I signed up as soon as this was available in Maryland, but the problem is that it gets disabled when you replace your phone and you have to go through the whole setup process again.

 

[cjgrif]

I signed up as soon as this was available in Maryland, but the problem is that it gets disabled when you replace your phone and you have to go through the whole setup process again.

It also seems like, at least in Maryland, it can only be on one device without deleting and completely resetting it up. You can't even have it on your iPhone and Apple Watch at the same time.

 

[scorpio vega]

I’d love for it to come to Nc.

It would be so convenient if I could scan my ID when bar hopping. I hate carrying purses when I go on dancing nights out.

 

[mdatwood]

At least for travel, if Apple just did Passports, they could bypass all the state nonsense.

 

[MNWildFan]

Considering what RealID took and the delays/overruns there, imagine what THIS will involve.

Yup, and last I checked, even if you still have a non-real ID license, you can still use that at an airport too

And the requirement that you absolutely need a real ID license at the checkpoint keeps getting pushed back and back and back, so with how well that's going I don't see this going any better either lol

 

[MNWildFan]

Just like you don't hand your unlocked phone to the cashier to pay with Apple Pay, you don't hand over your unlocked phone to use this.

Exactly; you either double click the side button (or home button if you're still on a Touch ID iPhone) and the only thing it lets you do is view and use your wallet cards

 

[HMI]

I like how California keeps inventing these things, but then won't even commit to adopting them.

 

[MNWildFan]

Ugh, how I can't wait for the day that this expands to the midwestern states

Judging from how well the implementation of actually needing a real ID compliant license at the airport has been (judging from the delays each passing year, not very), I see this going oh so swimmingly /s

 

[tagsaid]

Finsh what you started Apple! Apple has plenty of resources and they should look at this as a way to keep customers even more deeply entrenched on their platform. People considering switching to Android might be like, "well I could switch, but I am able to put my state ID on my phone's wallet so I'll just stick with Apple."

This not 100% up to Apple. I don't know what support Apple offers states, but it is ultimately the states to who have to build and implement this.

Coming from 9to5mac:
In some states, it’s as basic as legislation being introduced in support of digital IDs. In other states, there’s simply been “activity” regarding this adoption. Additionally, delays are to be expected anytime Apple works on a state-by-state basis with individual governments.

 

[t0rqx]

Tim clearly lost interest as it wasn't bringing in any income

Yep they even neglected special fitness medals on Apple Watch 2024. Like Lunar, cause it does not being any money.

 

[jarman92]

I appreciate the convenience of not having to have my wallet on me. I am more likely to forget that, when leaving home, than my phone.

However, there have to be privacy or surveillance issues? I have yet to see an impassioned discussion of those. I have so far only seen dismissals by the same people who wholesale condemn 5G.

For example, could there be similar issues with phone-based IDs as there are with Central-Bank Digital Currencies? I am thinking of the scenario, in which banks or governments would cut individuals off from commerce for any reason, like purchasing too many rounds of ammunition or making a donation to an political opposition candidate.

The State can do the same thing with physical IDs since they're the issuing authority. Also, who outside of 8chan and similar online cesspools "wholesale condemns 5G?"

 

[alchemistmuffin]

Most of the promised states Apple had promised would have IDs in wallet, unfortunately have to change the state laws to allow digital ID, and most of the bills to make that happened have died in the committee or got voted down so far.

And it all has to do with privacy unfortunately.

 

[MuGeN PoWeR]

Probably just (the) American states being difficult.

that is true. utah launched their own app for digital IDs

 

[iStorm]

It’s like CarPlay: won’t be seriously adopted until there’s an Android equivalent. Apple should pull an iTunes and make an Android app.

califormia has its own system and says they are “planning” to add it to phone wallets. Probably other states are too.

There is an Android equivalent already...it's called Google Wallet. The same four states (and only those four) also support digital IDs in Google Wallet.

Add your US Driver's License or State ID - Google Wallet Help

Important: To ensure you can validate your identity, keep your physical ID card on you as needed. A digital ID in Google Wallet is not a replacement for your physical ID. Requirements to add & us

support.google.com

 

[alexandr]

I'm so over this)

 

[KPOM]

This is a solution looking for a problem.

"License and registration, please."

"Oh, here officer. Just take my whole unlocked phone and feel free to do whatever you want with it."

Exactly. SCOTUS has ruled that police can’t force you to provide a password and need a warrant to search phone contents, but police are known to intimidate people into waiving their constitutional rights.

 

[boswald]

There's no way my state will participate in this.

 

[cocky jeremy]

I never really understood why people were so worried about this unless they have text messages of drug deals.

It's not that people are worried, it's just none of the cops business what is on our phones.

 

[haunebu]

I never really understood why people were so worried about this unless they have text messages of drug deals.

You might not care about your privacy, and that's fine. But other people do. So much so that you'll find the Fourth Amendment in the Bill of Rights.

 

[IAhawk10]

Iowa released a mobile ID app through IDEMIA group last fall. IDEMIA appears to be contracted with a few states for this service. I reached out to the Iowa DOT, and they said Apple Wallet support is still coming. IDEMIA says it’s not on their current release schedule for support… Wondering if the states have to support this individually and contract directly with Apple or if that falls to these other vendors they’ve partnered with.

 

[PlayUltimate]

I’d be significantly more suspicious of a go-it-alone state solution than one that uses Apple’s APIs.

The Colorado App is actually, IMO, quite good.