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never in my life will I put a government document that I'm required to show to law enforcement on a whim on my phone
No one is going to require you to present this ID on your phone. You will still have the physical ID like you always have. It’s just a more convenient option if you are asked for an ID at a bar, or to check in at the airport, etc.
 
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I entered my Illinois driver's license into the Apple Wallet this morning and am waiting for a confirmation email or text from the Illinois Secretary of State, but I have not received anything. Has anyone received anything, and do you know how long it takes to get a confirmation eight code number
 
[Second edit - reading between the lines and some very very small text at the end of the IL SOS website announcement, at this point this is for ID purposes only. Still need to carry your physical D/L with you when driving. Suspect at some point down the road it will become valid as a driver's license, but not yet, likely some sort of phased implementation at play here.]


OK, for people who don't know how this works:
  1. Just like Apple Pay, double-click the side button
  2. Select your license
  3. Hold it up to the reader (store, bar, TSA, cop, etc)
  4. See what info will be transmitted
  5. Approve transfer or not
Phone is never unlocked or leaves your hand. Never give or unlock your phone to anyone.

Having said this, unless there are a lot of cops with iPhones or other devices that can read the iPhone's transmission, you'll still be better off carrying your physical ID with you. But having this in case you forget your wallet at home will be nice as well.

(Edited to add this: I'm actually not sure how driving in a state that doesn't handle these electronic IDs works. So, if you travel outside of Illinois and don't have your physical license with you and the cop that stops you doesn't have a reader, what happens? I know they'll verify you in the long run but I wonder if there's a possibility they'll try to slap a "driving without physical license" citation on you. I don't know how far home rule extends here)

Also note the data that gets transferred depends on who is asking; bars/stores selling alcohol for example only get confirmation that you're legal age, that's it. So in these cases you're actually cutting down on your information getting out in the wild. No address, DOB, etc.

Outside of places that need to see your ID, there a lots of places that want to see your ID, for example doctor's offices. Here I decline letting them scan it and store it, which many times they want to do. They'll put up a minor fuss, but I've never been turned down after I've explained I've had my ID and personal information stolen.

Now, if Apple could make a provider-side app for that, I'd be happy to provide that level of verification.
 
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No one is going to require you to present this ID on your phone. You will still have the physical ID like you always have. It’s just a more convenient option if you are asked for an ID at a bar, or to check in at the airport, etc.

Does it show your birthdate and photo? That's the only things I see bars looking at.

I've never been to a bar that scans the barcode. Some liquor stores do.
 
I entered my Illinois driver's license into the Apple Wallet this morning and am waiting for a confirmation email or text from the Illinois Secretary of State, but I have not received anything. Has anyone received anything, and do you know how long it takes to get a confirmation eight code number
Same happens to me I just seen this on the SOS site I guess we will receive something in the mail
 

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Does it show your birthdate and photo? That's the only things I see bars looking at.

I've never been to a bar that scans the barcode. Some liquor stores do.
You can see the image of your physical ID in the wallet if you want to show it to someone.
 
You can see the image of your physical ID in the wallet if you want to show it to someone.

What about the birthdate? You mean it shows a full front copy of your physical ID?

Wife and I frequently go to a bar/club that checks IDs at the door. The just use a flashlight, then look at your face.
 
Also note the data that gets transferred depends on who is asking; bars/stores selling alcohol for example only get confirmation that you're legal age, that's it. So in these cases you're actually cutting down on your information getting out in the wild. No address, DOB, etc.
I'm not so sure how this will play out, in particular for stores. Apple can't restrict what information they request from their payment terminals. My guess is most stores will request more information because they can use it for marketing purposes or sell it to data brokers. Same reason why some stores now insist on scanning your DL rather than just taking a look at your DoB.
 
I still cant even get my passport to be uploaded. It constantly fails verification. Plus Illinois isnt showing up as an option for adding yet...
 
Illinois here, not seeing it, even after a restart. Wonder if it's because I'm on the beta?
 
OK, for people who don't know how this works:
  1. Just like Apple Pay, double-click the side button
  2. Select your license
  3. Hold it up to the reader (store, bar, TSA, cop, etc)
  4. See what info will be transmitted
  5. Approve transfer or not
Phone is never unlocked or leaves your hand. Never give or unlock your phone to anyone.

Having said this, unless there are a lot of cops with iPhones or other devices that can read the iPhone's transmission, you'll still be better off carrying your physical ID with you. But having this in case you forget your wallet at home will be nice as well.

(Edited to add this: I'm actually not sure how driving in a state that doesn't handle these electronic IDs works. So, if you travel outside of Illinois and don't have your physical license with you and the cop that stops you doesn't have a reader, what happens? I know they'll verify you in the long run but I wonder if there's a possibility they'll try to slap a "driving without physical license" citation on you. I don't know how far home rule extends here)

Also note the data that gets transferred depends on who is asking; bars/stores selling alcohol for example only get confirmation that you're legal age, that's it. So in these cases you're actually cutting down on your information getting out in the wild. No address, DOB, etc.

Outside of places that need to see your ID, there a lots of places that want to see your ID, for example doctor's offices. Here I decline letting them scan it and store it, which many times they want to do. They'll put up a minor fuss, but I've never been turned down after I've explained I've had my ID and personal information stolen.

Now, if Apple could make a provider-side app for that, I'd be happy to provide that level of verification.

I've heard the drill, but I just spoke to my brother who is a county patrol officer in a state offering digital IDs on iPhone (not Illinois). He said their department doesn't have the scanners for them, and it's not even in the works.

He says he's never had anyone try to show a digital id.
 
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I'm not so sure how this will play out, in particular for stores. Apple can't restrict what information they request from their payment terminals. My guess is most stores will request more information because they can use it for marketing purposes or sell it to data brokers. Same reason why some stores now insist on scanning your DL rather than just taking a look at your DoB.

In store, all a merchant will see is a token and the last 4 digits of the card being used. That's it.

On-line, it's different as Apple can (depending on your preferences) also send more info like address, because well lots of times you want something shipped to you and you were going to have to provide it anyways.

So, yes, it's highly restricted when physically in stores, less so when using Apple Pay on the Internet.

Again, if someone want to scan your DL, just say no. People are way too compliant with this request. Say no, unless you're buying an age restricted item.
 
I've heard the drill, but I just spoke to my brother who is a county patrol officer in a state offering digital IDs on iPhone (not Illinois). He said their department doesn't have the scanners for them, and it's not even in the works.

Digital IDs are not the same as digital Driver's Licenses. If the appropriate part of the state government says electronic driver's licenses are accepted (the Secretary of State or SOS in Illinois) then they're accepted and the police agencies are legally bound to accept them as proof of licensure. Essentially, it's now on the agencies to become compliant.

How this works in practice without a device that can read the NFC data the iPhone will transmit, I do not know.

Now, since a huge fraction of departments issue work phones to officers now, it may just wind up being an app on iOS and Android like it is for bars and liquor stores.
 
In store, all a merchant will see is a token and the last 4 digits of the card being used. That's it.

On-line, it's different as Apple can (depending on your preferences) also send more info like address, because well lots of times you want something shipped to you and you were going to have to provide it anyways.

So, yes, it's highly restricted when physically in stores, less so when using Apple Pay on the Internet.

Again, if someone want to scan your DL, just say no. People are way too compliant with this request. Say no, unless you're buying an age restricted item.

I've never had anyone scan (or try to) my ID other than liquor stores. Where is this common otherwise?
 
Digital IDs are not the same as digital Driver's Licenses. If the appropriate part of the state government says electronic driver's licenses are accepted (the Secretary of State or SOS in Illinois) then they're accepted and the police agencies are legally bound to accept them as proof of licensure. Essentially, it's now on the agencies to become compliant.

How this works in practice without a device that can read the NFC data the iPhone will transmit, I do not know.

Now, since a huge fraction of departments issue work phones to officers now, it may just wind up being an app on iOS and Android like it is for bars and liquor stores.

That's a good point. He has a department-issued 16e.

In my state, there are these card scanners that look like a credit card chip reader they stick your id in, except sideways. it reads the barcode on the back, then turns green or red, depending. Every liquor store has the exact same one, so I assume it's a state thing.

Screenshot 2025-11-19 122801.png
 
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OK, for people who don't know how this works:
  1. Just like Apple Pay, double-click the side button
  2. Select your license
  3. Hold it up to the reader (store, bar, TSA, cop, etc)
  4. See what info will be transmitted
  5. Approve transfer or not
Phone is never unlocked or leaves your hand. Never give or unlock your phone to anyone.

Having said this, unless there are a lot of cops with iPhones or other devices that can read the iPhone's transmission, you'll still be better off carrying your physical ID with you. But having this in case you forget your wallet at home will be nice as well.

(Edited to add this: I'm actually not sure how driving in a state that doesn't handle these electronic IDs works. So, if you travel outside of Illinois and don't have your physical license with you and the cop that stops you doesn't have a reader, what happens? I know they'll verify you in the long run but I wonder if there's a possibility they'll try to slap a "driving without physical license" citation on you. I don't know how far home rule extends here)

Also note the data that gets transferred depends on who is asking; bars/stores selling alcohol for example only get confirmation that you're legal age, that's it. So in these cases you're actually cutting down on your information getting out in the wild. No address, DOB, etc.

Outside of places that need to see your ID, there a lots of places that want to see your ID, for example doctor's offices. Here I decline letting them scan it and store it, which many times they want to do. They'll put up a minor fuss, but I've never been turned down after I've explained I've had my ID and personal information stolen.

Now, if Apple could make a provider-side app for that, I'd be happy to provide that level of verification.
Didn't know these were scanned by others. Completely ignorant here in a state where i just use physical ID. Not i like that ability though.
 
What about the birthdate? You mean it shows a full front copy of your physical ID?

Wife and I frequently go to a bar/club that checks IDs at the door. The just use a flashlight, then look at your face.
It shows your DL photo and birthday right on the screen.
 
I've never had anyone scan (or try to) my ID other than liquor stores. Where is this common otherwise?

Bars and the like.

Yes, scan and not view. I got around this by using my passport card which had picture and DOB but not address.

That place is happily gone now, but it does happen.

Also, doctors offices love to scan and not view, but I don't let them. I let them see the ID, they grumble then move on.
 
It's a troll, and not even a good one.

Revelation 13:16: "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads".
I can’t wait to add my mobile ID to my forehead so I can go around tapping it on payment terminals and TSA booths
 
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many are predicting a very dystopian future for all of us when all that digital data and passports will be used to track individuals and freeze their private funds in banks in any case government would see as legit.


I mean its already been this way for a long time.
 
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