Apple's Kevin Lynch Explains How IDs Will Work on Apple Watch in watchOS 8

[MacRumors]

With the iOS 15 and watchOS 8 updates, Apple is allowing U.S. users to add their state ID cards or driver's licenses to the Wallet app, alleviating the need for a physical ID card to be carried.

Apple's VP of Technology, Kevin Lynch, oversees much of the Apple Watch's design and he recently did an interview with Yahoo Finance to explain how it works and the plans that Apple has for the feature in the future.

To start with, ID cards will be able to be added to the Wallet app in certain states, and Apple has not provided details on which states will be participating at this time. Apple also plans to work with the TSA to allow the digital ID cards to be used in lieu of a physical card.

"We're early on this, obviously," said Lynch. ""You'll be able to have it in your Wallet. You can see your ID there like your other cards. And then you can present that if you choose to, for example, TSA."

Lynch went on to explain that it's similar to how Apple Pay works. "You can digitally present it," he said, "and the information can show up for the person who is looking at your ID."

Apple plans to manage which information is available to which person, similar to the Health app. Apple won't be able to track where an ID has been shown, nor will the state that provides the ID be able to see that information. License information will be protected with a passcode, much like debit and credit cards.

Along with ID integration, Apple is adding new features that will let users lock, unlock, and start their cars from their Apple Watches in an expansion of the Car Key feature that's already available. "It's a lot of fun to be able to just walk up to your car and have it unlock and then drive," said Lynch.

Apple also plans to add support for various smart locks, allowing digital house keys to be stored in the Wallet app, plus this feature will also work with hotels that participate in Apple's new digital key initiative.

For licenses and IDs, Apple likely will need to navigate different rules and agreements with each state, and we won't know until later in the year which states will support the initiative at launch. Digital IDs are baked into iOS 15 and watchOS 8, which are launching publicly this fall.

Article Link: Apple's Kevin Lynch Explains How IDs Will Work on Apple Watch in watchOS 8

 

[Justin Cymbal]

Very excited for this feature!

Right now I have Apple’s wallet case that attaches to the back of my iPhone 12 and I use it to hold both my Apple Card (credit card) and my driver’s license but it would be great to also have a digital version of my driver’s license that I can store on both my phone and my watch

 

[Think|Different]

This is amazing! Gotta start somewhere.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I hope my state gets on board with this (and insurance cards) before the century is out. lol I would welcome not having to carry a wallet around.

 

[JRobinsonJr]

I hope my state gets on board with this (and insurance cards) before the century is out. lol I would welcome not having to carry a wallet around.

If you have State Farm... this is already available! I'm betting other companies are also providing Wallet integration.

 

[Localcelebrity]

I can't imagine a world where I get pulled over by a cop and then hand them my unlocked iPhone. Ditto for going through a TSA line. I sincerely hope they're thinking much beyond that type of interaction. Hopefully something NFC based.

 

[andrewsipes]

I can't imagine a world where I get pulled over by a cop and then hand them my unlocked iPhone. Ditto for going through a TSA line. I sincerely hope they're thinking much beyond that type of interaction. Hopefully something NFC based.

Lynch went on to explain that it's similar to how Apple Pay works. "You can digitally present it," he said, "and the information can show up for the person who is looking at your ID."

 

[Apple_Robert]

If you have State Farm... this is already available! I'm betting other companies are also providing Wallet integration.

I do have State Farm. I can see the card in their app. Are you saying I can add the card to the wallet without replying on the app to show the card?

 

[AppleFan91]

I can't imagine a world where I get pulled over by a cop and then hand them my unlocked iPhone. Ditto for going through a TSA line. I sincerely hope they're thinking much beyond that type of interaction. Hopefully something NFC based.

I would assume it’s like Apple Pay. It unlocks for that “transaction” but the rest of the phone is inaccessible.

like if you are on your Lock Screen and double press to bring up your card/ID it shows it but if you try to swipe up to get into the phone, it’s needs Face/Touch ID again.

Also, as privacy focused as Apple is, I’d be shocked if they had that as an oversight.

on another note - as someone who lives in Indiana (ugh) this will be exciting in 2076.

 

[_Spinn_]

I’m excited to see more things coming to Wallet. That being said I can only image how many years it will take for this to roll out everywhere.

 

[JRobinsonJr]

I do have State Farm. I can see the card in their app. Are you saying I can add the card to the wallet without replying on the app to show the card?

Correct! Within the SF app, while looking at the card, there is an "Add to Apple Wallet" option.

 

[subi257]

I can't imagine a world where I get pulled over by a cop and then hand them my unlocked iPhone. Ditto for going through a TSA line. I sincerely hope they're thinking much beyond that type of interaction. Hopefully something NFC based.

Exactly, I'm with you on that. There is no way that I will hand my unlocked phone to a cop.....maybe not even my locked phone to leave my sight. I would like it be be NFC or a QR code like they are now doing on the commuter trains in my area.

 

[trip1ex]

years of growing pains in what I see. Nice in the future no doubt. But for now just a long messy transition.

 

[dontwalkhand]

Apple is late to the game here. Hell, we even beat the entire state of California to it. I am excited for the Apple wallet integration however. It’ll be nice to not have to hunt for this app.

 

[jiminycricket]

Exactly, I'm with you on that. There is no way that I will hand my unlocked to a cop.....maybe not even my locked phone to leave my sight. I would like it be be NFC or a QR code like they are now doing on the commuter trains in my area.

I hope they have an option to keep the phone generally locked and automatically disable FaceID/TouchID when you bring up the license in the wallet, that way the agent can't just turn the phone at you and unlock it.

 

[Bayshun]

Sounds like they're talking about a system where someone scans an ID barcode on your device, and it pulls up your picture and info on another device. I could see this working if enough organizations implement it, but I think it would take many years to fully propagate.

 

[Nabby]

If you have State Farm... this is already available! I'm betting other companies are also providing Wallet integration.

The problem isn't just the insurance companies. There are states that won't accept a digital insurance card. They require you to provide a physical copy of the card. I think the companies will come around fairly quickly, it's the states that I think will drag their feet.

 

[nutmac]

It's too bad iOS 15 and watchOS 8 implementation are largely a scan of your ID in supported states (AZ, DE, LA, and OK now, FL, IA, MD, NY, and UT in development/testing, CA, ID, WY in proposal).

What I would like to see is the front side with minimally identifying information businesses typically require (name, age, photo) and the back side with full information for government agencies (with QR code so that I don't have to hand over my phone).

Edit: According to CNET:

When you use the driver's license in Apple Wallet, you'll first open the app and select your ID. If it's at a TSA airport security checkpoint, Apple has said it will show you the kind of information it'll share, including your legal name, date of birth, ID number and photo, and expiration date.

As with your other sensitive payment cards, you'll need to confirm the transfer of information through checkpoints with a pass from Face ID -- or presumably your secure passcode, if you're wearing a face mask or don't use Face ID.

 

[Macintosh IIvx]

I can't imagine a world where I get pulled over by a cop and then hand them my unlocked iPhone. Ditto for going through a TSA line. I sincerely hope they're thinking much beyond that type of interaction. Hopefully something NFC based.

You don't give them your phone. Just like you don't hand your unlocked iPhone to the cashier when using Apple Pay.

The cop asks for your ID and you pull it up like you would Apple Pay and just the ID info would be sent to their squad car or a handheld device.

 

[4jasontv]

You don't give them your phone. Just like you don't hand your unlocked iPhone to the cashier when using Apple Pay.

The cop asks for your ID and you pull it up like you would Apple Pay and just the ID info would be sent to their squad car or a handheld device.

Um... while I admit it has been some time since I got pulled over, but I recall they always took my ID back to their car.

This idea that every cop will have some wireless tech that allows them to accept the info without taking your device is unrealistic.

 

[Stryder541]

If you have State Farm... this is already available! I'm betting other companies are also providing Wallet integration.

AmFam works too.

 

[Blackstick]

Apple is late to the game here. Hell, we even beat the entire state of California to it. I am excited for the Apple wallet integration however. It’ll be nice to not have to hunt for this app.

You know, you don't have to painstakingly scribble over the personal info, you can draw boxes/shapes to fully obscure it

 

[edhudley]

With the iOS 15 and watchOS 8 updates, Apple is allowing U.S. users to add their state ID cards or driver's licenses to the Wallet app, alleviating the need for a physical ID card to be carried.

Apple's VP of Technology, Kevin Lynch, oversees much of the Apple Watch's design and he recently did an interview with Yahoo Finance to explain how it works and the plans that Apple has for the feature in the future.

To start with, ID cards will be able to be added to the Wallet app in certain states, and Apple has not provided details on which states will be participating at this time. Apple also plans to work with the TSA to allow the digital ID cards to be used in lieu of a physical card.

"We're early on this, obviously," said Lynch. ""You'll be able to have it in your Wallet. You can see your ID there like your other cards. And then you can present that if you choose to, for example, TSA."

Lynch went on to explain that it's similar to how Apple Pay works. "You can digitally present it," he said, "and the information can show up for the person who is looking at your ID."

Apple plans to manage which information is available to which person, similar to the Health app. Apple won't be able to track where an ID has been shown, nor will the state that provides the ID be able to see that information. License information will be protected with a passcode, much like debit and credit cards.

Along with ID integration, Apple is adding new features that will let users lock, unlock, and start their cars from their Apple Watches in an expansion of the Car Key feature that's already available. "It's a lot of fun to be able to just walk up to your car and have it unlock and then drive," said Lynch.

Apple also plans to add support for various smart locks, allowing digital house keys to be stored in the Wallet app, plus this feature will also work with hotels that participate in Apple's new digital key initiative.

For licenses and IDs, Apple likely will need to navigate different rules and agreements with each state, and we won't know until later in the year which states will support the initiative at launch. Digital IDs are baked into iOS 15 and watchOS 8, which are launching publicly this fall.

Article Link: Apple's Kevin Lynch Explains How IDs Will Work on Apple Watch in watchOS 8

What states allow the use of digital licenses?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

View attachment 1799146Apple is late to the game here. Hell, we even beat the entire state of California to it. I am excited for the Apple wallet integration however. It’ll be nice to not have to hunt for this app.

LOL! What in the world is happening over here...

 

[bluespider]

Probably won’t be a feature in Florida until 2199, because… Florida