Apple Digitizes State ID Cards, Starting With Arizona
By Gary Trock on March 24, 2022 at 1:37 AM EDT
Arizona is the first state to go live this week by allowing citizens to integrate their driver's license and state ID into their Apple Wallet on their iPhone, effectively eliminating the need to carry around a plastic ID card any longer.
Accepted Throughout the State
Along with Arizonians being able to instantly digitize their driver's license and ID into their Wallet, they will also be considered acceptable forms of ID through TSA at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
"This new and innovative mobile driver’s license and state ID initiative with Apple and states around the country will enable a more seamless airport security screening experience for travelers,” said David Pekoske, TSA Administrator in a previous announcement by Apple.
The TSA official added, “This initiative marks a major milestone by TSA to provide an additional level of convenience for the traveler by enabling more opportunities for touchless TSA airport security screening.”
Although Arizona is the first state to officially launch the program, Apple has already announced other states soon to follow, including Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and the territory of Puerto Rico.
Apple VP of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, Jennifer Bailey, said, "We’re thrilled to bring the first driver’s license and state ID in Wallet to Arizona today, and provide Arizonans with an easy, secure, and private way to present their ID when traveling, through just a tap of their iPhone or Apple Watch."
How To Set Up Your Digital ID
Although the thought of digitizing your physical ID may seem daunting, the folks at Apple have made it very easy to switch things over. They even created a brand new landing page explaining how to upload your information and how to interact with your digital wallet in the real world.
"Residents can tap the + button at the top of the screen in Wallet on their iPhone, select 'Driver’s License or State ID,' and follow the on-screen instructions to start the setup and verification process," a message from Apple reads.
Taking property security measures into mind, Apple explains, "To help ensure that the person adding the identity card to Wallet is the same person to whom the identity card belongs, the user will be asked to take a selfie and scan the front and back of their driver’s license or state ID card, which will be securely provided to the issuing state for verification. As an additional fraud prevention step, users will also be prompted to complete a series of facial and head movements during the setup process. The state is responsible for verifying and approving the user’s request to add their driver’s license or state ID to Wallet."
Is Your Device Compatible?
With new technology comes new hardware requirements, and Apple Wallet's new upgrade is no exception. According to the Apple website, driver’s license and state ID in Wallet is available on iPhone 8 or later running iOS 15.4, and Apple Watch Series 4 or later running watchOS 8.4 or later.
Driver’s licenses and state IDs in Wallet are currently available for use in select states at select TSA checkpoints. The company also urges all travelers to make sure and read the TSA checkpoint signage to confirm availability.
