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Two More U.S. States Commit to Offering iPhone Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet App

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In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps.

apple-wallet-drivers-license-feature-iPhone-15-pro.jpg

Earlier this week, Illinois became the 13th state in the U.S. to offer the feature. Subsequently, we shared a list of additional states that are committed to offering the feature in the future, as previously announced by Apple:
  • Connecticut
  • Kentucky
  • Mississippi
  • Oklahoma
  • Utah
As it turns out, two more states have "signed on to adopt ID in Apple Wallet in the future," according to their government websites:
  • Arkansas
  • Virginia
Arkansas launched a mobile ID app in August. It works with Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet, and Apple Wallet support is coming later.

Virginia launched a mobile ID app last week, and it announced it will "prepare for integration with digital wallets" in the "coming months."

Apple Wallet IDs are accepted at TSA checkpoints in more than 250 airports in the U.S., for domestic travel. Given that Apple Wallet IDs are not accepted by law enforcement, and lack many other use cases, carrying a physical ID is still necessary.

To set up the feature, open the Wallet app and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, select Driver's License and ID Cards and follow the steps.

If you live in a state that does not yet offer Apple Wallet IDs, you can now create a Digital ID based on your U.S. passport, and present it at the same participating TSA checkpoints, for age and identity verification purposes during domestic travel. It is not a replacement for a physical passport, and it cannot be used for international travel.

Here are just some of the airports that offer the feature — there are hundreds of others:
  • Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
  • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
  • Denver International Airport (DEN)
  • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)
  • John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)
  • Los Angeles International (LAX)
  • Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
  • Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)
  • Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
  • Lea County Regional Airport (HOB)
  • Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU)
  • Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)
  • Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)
  • Great Falls International Airport (GTF)
  • Missoula International Airport (MSO)
  • Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
  • Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
  • St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
  • Richmond International Airport (RIC)
  • Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
  • Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA)
  • Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport (PHF)
Travelers should refer to TSA signage to confirm availability of the feature.

Thanks, Michael Gannon!

Article Link: Two More U.S. States Commit to Offering iPhone Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet App
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/20/apple-wallet-ids-two-more-committed-states/
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In the meantime, Florida keeps holding back. Florida already spent almost $2M to developer a Digital ID, starting in 2022, but the project got cancelled in 2024. Nothing else going on. Why try to reinvent the wheel, when then can use Apple Wallet instead and save the next block of millions that will be spent on attempt #2?
 
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Meanwhile New York decided to go with a dedicated, proprietary app for their digital IDs instead of embracing the respective platform standards. It's still TSA approved but nowhere near as convenient as the wallet. At least I can add my passport to Apple Wallet now.
 
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indychris said:
My apologies, then. I apparently misunderstood your post.
Click to expand...
I may have misunderstood just how mandatory "mandatory" really is in the post I originally replied to so I can understand how it came off that way. I just want faster adoption for Digital ID and equivalent treatment to physical but of course I want everyone to have the option to use whichever method they are more comfortable with!
 
VisionProRocks said:
I may have misunderstood just how mandatory "mandatory" really is in the post I originally replied to so I can understand how it came off that way. I just want faster adoption for Digital ID and equivalent treatment to physical but of course I want everyone to have the option to use whichever method they are more comfortable with!
Click to expand...

Unfortunately feels like this is going to take a while to really adopt and allow us to leave the wallet behind. Digital ID is valid in terms of state law, but in practice optional for businesses to accept. So in this example you can go to a liquor store with valid ID and still be refused because of not carrying physical ID.

I'd hoped that we would see some kind of transition period where businesses or locations that require ID verification must implement digital verification by X date.
 
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Amazing Iceman said:
Those people carrying non-smart phones are almost extinct with a few exceptions.
Carrying Digital IDs is not mandatory yet. Maybe in the future.
Click to expand...

I often carry no phone at all! 😱

Naa, digital IDs won't be mandatory for citizens in the US. It's not mandatory to carry any ID at all, except when driving, flying, or entering a federal building.
 
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I'm very happy to see Virginia on the list. As of now, they only have their own "Mobile ID" app, that I can't get to work. I put in one help ticket and was provided no help at all. I'm planning to call today after work, but I might just give up and wait for the apple wallet option.
 
ryanmp said:

Unfortunately feels like this is going to take a while to really adopt and allow us to leave the wallet behind. Digital ID is valid in terms of state law, but in practice optional for businesses to accept. So in this example you can go to a liquor store with valid ID and still be refused because of not carrying physical ID.

I'd hoped that we would see some kind of transition period where businesses or locations that require ID verification must implement digital verification by X date.
Click to expand...

I have no idea why the US seems to be so resistant to these kind of things.
We’ve had digital licences in New South Wales for years and I’ve never heard of anyone having an issue.
 
danny842003 said:
I have no idea why the US seems to be so resistant to these kind of things.
We’ve had digital licences in New South Wales for years and I’ve never heard of anyone having an issue.
Click to expand...
It's a systemic issue. Digital adoption is behind in the US. Even if complete adoption was reached on digital IDs, I'd still need to carry my wallet because many restaurants don't support tap-to-pay.

Inefficiencies create jobs and $s for interested parties, and that won't change anytime soon here.
 
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