California becomes eighth state to support IDs in Wallet app

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iOS

Apple's home state has begun allowing its residents to add a state ID or driver's license to the Apple Wallet app.




The rollout in The Golden State comes as part of its mobile driver's license (mDL) pilot program, launched in 2023, and is limited to 1.5 million participants.

"Californians now have the option of adding their driver's license or state ID to their iPhone or Apple Watch in Apple Wallet," said California Governor Gavin Newsom, in a press release. "With this new integration, we're working to better serve the people of California in the 21st century."

For California, ID in Apple Wallet requires iPhone Xs or later with iOS 17.5 or later, or Apple Watch Series 4 or later with watchOS 10 or later.

According to Apple, the next states to allow digital IDs in Apple Wallet will be Montana, New Mexico, and West Virginia. Additionally, Japan has signed on to bring My Number Card to Wallet, which will mark the first international expansion of IDs in Wallet.

While California may be in the process of rolling out the feature, many other states have already adopted it. Arizona was the first state to allow residents to add their IDs to Wallet, all the way back in May of 2022.

Maryland also joined up in May 2022. Colorado signed on to the program in November 2022.

Georgia followed suit in May 2023, allowing those living The Peach State to add their IDs to the app. In July 2024, Ohio became the fifth state to support IDs in the Apple Wallet app.

Hawaii is currently in the process of rolling out support for digital IDs, a process that began in August 2024.



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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 15
    emoelleremoeller Posts: 584member
    It took two tries but I was able to add my California DL to Wallet this morning.   When it fails, it really doesn't explain why.  So just try again...
    ssfe11
  • Reply 2 of 15
    JP144JP144 Posts: 1member
    Yes! Next stop… Oregon please.
    ssfe11
  • Reply 3 of 15
    DaddyMcQuaigDaddyMcQuaig Posts: 1member
    Crucially missing from both the Governor's instructions and the APP itself - are actual instructions on how to add this to your Apple Wallet.
    1. Download and install the CA DMV Mobile app.
    2. Register or use your existing CA DMV Login.
    3. Get your card on the app. This is important because the Apple Wallet ID is supposed to useful at Airports only. But the app itself is more widely accepted in California. Hopefully that's just for the pilot, but whatever....
    4. Now here's the missing step - go the Apple Wallet App.
    5. + button in the upper-right to Add to Wallet
    6. Select "Driver's License or State ID" and then choose "California mDL Pilot"
    7. Complete the steps to verify your identity.
    8. You should see "Verification in Progress" 

    edited September 19 dewmemuthuk_vanalingamkurai_kage
  • Reply 4 of 15
    iOS_Guy80iOS_Guy80 Posts: 881member
    JP144 said:
    Yes! Next stop… Oregon please.
    NY please.
    ssfe11
  • Reply 5 of 15
    sgordonsgordon Posts: 56member
    Strange, not working, I have the horrible California app and that’s working. My phone is showing other USA states. Not showing California yet. I wonder if this is being incrementally updated
  • Reply 6 of 15
    ssfe11ssfe11 Posts: 85member
    Cmon NY let’s go!
    edited September 19
  • Reply 7 of 15
    axc51axc51 Posts: 99member
    Can someone explain the purpose of this feature? Apparently it only works as ID at some select airports. If you get pulled over by a cop, you still need to show a physical ID.
    bala1234williamlondon
  • Reply 8 of 15
    22july201322july2013 Posts: 3,695member
    axc51 said:
    Can someone explain the purpose of this feature? Apparently it only works as ID at some select airports. If you get pulled over by a cop, you still need to show a physical ID.
    What I want to know is do you have to hand your iPhone to the authorities in an unlocked state for this to work, or do they all carry devices to read it remotely? If so, how do they know they are getting the right license, since anyone in the back seat of the car they are stopping could be the person transmitting their license.

    Come to think of it, is it legal for someone driving a car to wear a ski mask (or a niqab/burka) during a stop? Or are they forced to expose their face?
  • Reply 9 of 15
    apple4thewinapple4thewin Posts: 221member
    iOS_Guy80 said:
    JP144 said:
    Yes! Next stop… Oregon please.
    NY please.
    Florida please.
  • Reply 10 of 15
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 2,966member
    But it appears California DMV and Police Departments were not in on this. 
    https://www.macobserver.com/news/californias-new-digital-id-in-apple-wallet-not-accepted-by-police/
  • Reply 11 of 15
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 13,043member
    axc51 said:
    Can someone explain the purpose of this feature? Apparently it only works as ID at some select airports. If you get pulled over by a cop, you still need to show a physical ID.
    Louisiana has had its own digital license for years and it’s accepted statewide anyplace that requires ID, including police. They take a pic of your screen (not as good as Apple’s as you must unlock and hold your phone for them to capture it)
    MplsPwilliamlondon
  • Reply 12 of 15
    bala1234bala1234 Posts: 157member
    22july2013 said:
    axc51 said:
    Can someone explain the purpose of this feature? Apparently it only works as ID at some select airports. If you get pulled over by a cop, you still need to show a physical ID.
    What I want to know is do you have to hand your iPhone to the authorities in an unlocked state for this to work, or do they all carry devices to read it remotely? If so, how do they know they are getting the right license, since anyone in the back seat of the car they are stopping could be the person transmitting their license.

    Come to think of it, is it legal for someone driving a car to wear a ski mask (or a niqab/burka) during a stop? Or are they forced to expose their face?

    I live in CO and have seen some self-service kiosks. But I don't travel enough for me to warrant using it till now...
  • Reply 13 of 15
    CheeseFreezeCheeseFreeze Posts: 1,327member
    Having battery charge becomes more and more important when crucial actions such as identification happen with your phone.
    edited September 22 williamlondon
  • Reply 14 of 15
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 2,966member
    CheeseFreeze said:
    Having battery charge becomes more and more important when crucial actions such as identification happen with your phone.
    That’s exactly why I’m holding off on using this. My wallet never has a dead battery or is damaged by water, or breaks if I drop it. Plus I can carry cash in it. 
    williamlondon
  • Reply 15 of 15
    MplsPMplsP Posts: 3,997member
    axc51 said:
    Can someone explain the purpose of this feature? Apparently it only works as ID at some select airports. If you get pulled over by a cop, you still need to show a physical ID.
    I think it depends on the state's implementation and laws. My assumption is that one would be able to show his/her ID in the wallet app just like showing a physical ID. That works for state-mandated purposes but federal facilities and airports may fall under federal guidelines. Additionally, if one travels across state lines a physical ID may be required. That doesn't obviate the usefulness, though.

    DAalseth said:
    CheeseFreeze said:
    Having battery charge becomes more and more important when crucial actions such as identification happen with your phone.
    That’s exactly why I’m holding off on using this. My wallet never has a dead battery or is damaged by water, or breaks if I drop it. Plus I can carry cash in it. 
    I haven't carried cash in 3 years - the only time I miss it is in the fall when roadside produce stands pop up. 

    When I got my iPhone 13 I got the MagSafe wallet with it because I realized that I would frequently forget my wallet but I never forgot my phone. Since I got a Tesla, my phone is the key so it's impossible for me to forget my phone if I'm driving somewhere. 
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