Digital IDs in Apple Wallet now confirmed for California residents
Apple has confirmed that Californians can soon carry their driver's licenses and state IDs digitally on their iPhone and Apple Watch.
The new feature, set to be rolled out as part of California's mobile driver's license (mDL) pilot program, marks a significant step in the state's efforts to embrace digital identification. The move was rumored earlier in August, but the company officially confirmed it on Thursday.
Apple Wallet's integration with state IDs lets Californians present their iPhones or Apple Watches at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints and select businesses. The IDs can also verify age or identity in certain apps, making physical IDs obsolete.
California is not the first state to adopt this technology. Five other states -- Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia, and Ohio -- have already integrated driver's licenses and state IDs into Apple Wallet. The expansion of the technology across multiple states reflects a growing trend toward digital identification solutions that offer greater convenience without compromising security.
For those interested in learning more about the new feature or participating in the California DMV's mDL pilot program, additional information is available on the DMV's official website.
Apple Wallet is secure
Apple has incorporated several layers of security to protect users' personal information. When users add their ID to Apple Wallet, the state-issuing authority only receives the information required to approve or deny the request.
Once added, the ID information is encrypted and stored locally on the user's device, ensuring that it can't be accessed by Apple or any third party without the user's explicit consent.
Only the necessary information is shared when presenting an ID through Apple Wallet. Users authorize each transaction using Face ID or Touch ID for added security. Users don't need to unlock, show, or hand over their devices, protecting their privacy.
As more states follow suit, digital identification may soon become the new standard, although it will take a long time for physical IDs to become a thing of the past.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
And before you scoff, I had a similar instance happen with the digital vaccination card approved in my state. Had all the info that was then required, and I showed it to an individual that required it for access to a specific location, and they simply said, "oh, we need to see your card." Had I not had it, I would have been refused...and that would have been problematic at the time.
Same with car and house keys. These physical items will not be replaced by digital versions by me. Ever.
YMMV.
In addition, as long as credit card companies assess merchant transaction fees, some stores will be cash only. Others will offer discounts on cash purchases (many gas station chains have lower cash prices). There are many mom-and-pop stores, a few coffee shops, bars, that are cash only. Also, if you ever go to a farmers market or flea market without cash, you will be shut out by a lot of vendors who are cash only.
And even if the drivers license comes to the iPhone, it's still at the discretion of other parties to accept it as a legal document. You really need some sort of terminal to verify that the digital ID is legitimate. Anyone can fake a screenshot of a digital ID so just waving your phone in front of someone's face isn't going to do. Nightclubs, bars, concert halls will not uniformly and immediately install equipment to validate these digital IDs, so if you want to buy booze at some sports bar, you will need your physical card anyhow.
Let's say you go bar hopping with friends and unlike them, you only bring your digital ID leaving the physical cards (and plastic credit cards at home). What is only 1 in the four bars accepts digital IDs? What are going to do? Stand outside sipping water from a disposable cup while your pals quench their thirst? Nah, you have to bring your physical ID card until you are guaranteed that you won't ever need it. Hell, NFC contactless payment systems have been around for 20+ years and there are still places that are cash only. And even places that take credit cards don't always have POS terminals that accept NFC contactless payments.
Again, this is the type of thread that highlights who is naive and who isn't.
This stuff is that difficult. Fear mongering not necessary.
I read a great piece by a phone thief that described how fast they can do a smash and grab on a target. It is all about chumming up and offering to take their pic...and then claiming it is locked, and the target (usually a bar) simply gives them the code, of unlocks and hands it back. They are *so good* and getting what they need in seconds. And they get to all your bank accounts, and you. are. done.
Maybe someone can confirm, but I think when the digital ID is on the screen, it can only be done so with everything else locked. But visual inspection? If I needed someone to ID themself, I would never take a mere look at a screen. Without a companion digital verification (likely in use by LA law enforcement) it is unlikely to be accepted by someone other than a fool.
Even when I know about this, it is so easy to break protocol. I was at TSA, and selected for a random search of my iPhone. Dammit if I didn't remember Gruber's mantra: "Internalize holding the side button and down button before it leaves your hand." Man, handing an unlocked iPhone to a US Government Official is maybe the stupidest thing ever. Yeah, what do I have to hide? TSA people don't steal do they? Unh hunh.
There are extreme hazards in this technology, and being aware of them is not fear mongering. The risk just isn't worth the reward. Backup, sure. It likely works out. Rely on? No way. Again, YMMV, and I wish you continued success.
This announcement is about California allowing the State ID/DL to be a part of Apple Wallet, separate from the pilot program you just joined. This is just the announcement — it’s not ready yet… it’ll likely be at least a couple weeks before you’re able to add your ID into the wallet… and participating in the mDL shouldn’t be a prerequisite.
I believe that all states that are jumping into the DDL want it to be used far and wide. It probably saves money for the states which is likely why some states are trying to mandate its acceptance. At some point I'm sure DDLs will be widely accepted when all of the required infrastructure is in place. It will be interesting to see whether states that currently allow businesses and facilities to choose whether to accept DDLs move to make it mandatory for all of them to accept DDLs.
There's nothing to get up in arms about because these things always take time to work through all of the nuances. More than a few years ago most states were pushing hard to have everyone obtain "verified" drivers licenses just to fly domestically without a passport in order to meet TSA requirements. That seems to be on hold with no clear resolution in sight. Maybe everyone's waiting for nationwide DDLs to be put in place? In any case, until I have total confidence that I no longer need to carry a physical drivers license I'll keep it in my wallet just in case. I'll continue to carry my passport when flying anywhere, even domestically. I suppose digital passports are next on the hit parade, at least until we all have to get chipped.
Speaking of cash-only, I've seen places like coffee shops near me that only support cashless payments. The "no cash" model is starting to gain momentum. Requiring everyone to have a chip implant containing a globally unique id is still a crazy thought, but it is no longer beyond the realm of probability for the future. Apple Intelligence will sort it all out.
There are excellent fake IDs available to those who know where to find them and have money. In my experience they are far less common than the typical "fake ID" which is not all that hard to spot.
Without a terminal that guarantees the merchant of authenticity like the POS readers for credit cards, acceptance will be glacially slow.
A terminal could tell the store clerk that the customer is over 21 and show their pic and not display their address or age and other non-essential information for a given circumstance.
A cop makes a stop and the driver shows his phone/watch with a pic and code displayed. The cop has a device that when held near the phone/watch info is read off the screen or securely AirDropped and he gets a return from the issuing authority showing a DL pic and data and Cool/Uncool. "Show me your driver's license, registration and proof of insurance". Bing! Done. Along with any relevant information like warrants etc. All from the secure Apple Wallet. It could also make writing a summons that much faster for all concerned. "Have a nice day."