Store Your Driver’s License in Apple Wallet: How It Works and Where It’s Availab

 Do you ever wish you could carry one less thing around in your pocket or purse? Thanks to your smartphone, you can now store a variety of items in one place. And now, Apple is taking it a step further by allowing residents in certain states to store their driver’s license or state ID in their Apple Wallet. Here’s what you need to know.

Photo by Yura Fresh on Unsplash

Available in These States Residents in Arizona, Colorado, and Maryland are currently able to store their driver’s license or state ID in their Apple Wallet. They can then use it at select TSA security checkpoints located in several US airports, including:
  - Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport,
  - Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport,
  - Denver International Airport.
 
Other airports where this feature is available include:
  - Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport,
  - Harry Reid International Airport,
  - Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,
  - Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport,
  - Miami International Airport,
  - Mineta San Jose International Airport,
  - Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport,
  - Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport,
  - Salt Lake City International Airport.
 
Adding Your ID to Your iPhone If you live in one of the eligible states, adding your driver’s license or state ID to your iPhone is simple. Start by opening your Settings app, then tap Wallet & Apple Pay. Under the Payment Cards section, tap Add Card and select Driver’s License or State ID. Choose your state and follow the prompts to scan the front and back of your ID, verify your identity via selfie, and send it to your state for approval. Keep in mind that you will need an iPhone 8 or newer running the latest iOS and Apple Watch Series 4 or newer running the latest watchOS to use this feature.
TSA PreCheck Required At this time, the feature is only available to passengers with TSA PreCheck added to their boarding passes. However, it will soon roll out to other passengers as well. When using the feature, simply tap your iPhone or Apple Watch at the TSA’s Credential Authentication Technology reader, and the security officer will verify your identity and flight status.
 
Risks to Consider While it’s certainly convenient to have your driver’s license or state ID stored in your Apple Wallet, it’s important to be aware of potential risks. For example, this makes it easier to increase the need to show your ID in any situation since so many people carry smartphones. Additionally, you may be concerned about data tracking and surveillance, or the possibility of a data breach exposing your identity. It’s also worth noting that not all places will accept a digital ID, so be sure to carry your physical ID with you as well, just in case.
 
Final Thoughts If you live in Arizona, Colorado, or Maryland, you’re in luck – you can now store your driver’s license or state ID in your Apple Wallet. Simply follow the steps outlined above to get started. And if you don’t live in one of these states yet, keep an eye out – the feature is coming soon to residents of Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, and Puerto Rico.