There is an important driver’s license update for Americans who live in California, as from now on, they will get a major update regarding their virtual ID. California will be one of the several states that allow you to link your driver’s license to your iPhone. A driver’s license or state ID can be stored within the Apple Wallet app thanks to this capability. By simply displaying an iPhone or Apple Watch, you may demonstrate either of them. This can be used to confirm your age when purchasing a prohibited item at a retailer. Additionally, you might utilize it to show your ID at specific TSA security checkpoints. Jennifer Bailey, the head of Apple Pay, expressed her excitement about the partnership with the state of California to introduce IDs in Apple Wallet to the company’s home state shortly.
California residents will get a major update regarding their driver’s license
California citizens can now securely exhibit their driver’s license and state ID in person or via Apple Wallet, making ID presentation simple and confidential. This technology is incorporated into the iPhone and Apple Watch and ensures ID security while also making it easy to verify age or identity at companies. Although Apple first revealed the capability in 2021, states have been implementing it slowly. The list of supporting states, which includes California, which will soon implement the functionality, is as follows:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Maryland
- Ohio
According to California Governor Gavin Newsom, “meeting people where they are and using the technology they use daily is a significant step in our efforts to better serve all Californians.”.
In which states can you use your driver’s license in the Apple wallet?
The list of states where you can connect your state ID and driver’s license to your Apple Wallet app is constantly expanding, and California is no exception. This implies that when asked to provide identity, customers will no longer have to reach into their wallets, purses, pockets, or handbags; instead, they can do so by simply tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch. Apple Wallet allows users to safely store their ID, which they can then display using Face ID or Touch ID at participating establishments and other places that use mobile IDs, such as airport TSA checkpoints.
However, it should be mentioned that state IDs and actual driver’s licenses cannot be entirely replaced by digital IDs. The drawback is that many locations in the US and even outside still do not accept this type of digital identity. But they can make your life a bit easier and save you some time where they do exist. The ten states that currently offer Apple Wallet’s digital driver’s license and state ID program are Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio, and Puerto Rico. Furthermore, according to their commitments, Montana, West Virginia, Connecticut, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Utah will soon embrace the program.
Complete list of U.S. states that accept digital ID apps
Several apps, including Apple Wallet, can store your digital driver’s license and state ID that, which will later be recognized in several US states. While some states have created their apps for the same reason, other regions have also accepted Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet. The following digital ID apps are available in various states, per the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):
- Arizona: Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet
- California: California DMV Wallet, Google and Apple Wallet
- Colorado: Apple, Google, and Samsung Wallet
- Georgia: Apple, Google, and Samsung Wallet
- Hawaii: Apple Wallet
- Iowa: Iowa Mobile ID app, Apple and Samsung Wallet
- Louisiana: LA Wallet
- Maryland: Apple, Google, and Samsung Wallet
- New Mexico: Apple and Google Wallet
- New York: NY MiD App
- Ohio: Apple Wallet
- Puerto Rico: Apple Wallet
- Utah: GET Mobile App
- Virginia: Virginia Mobile App
- West Virginia: WV MiD App
