What Apple Wallet does with your driver's license

Apple Wallet lets you store a digital copy of your driver's license or state ID on your iPhone or Apple Watch. When you add it, you can show it to police during traffic stops, at airport security, or at age-restricted purchases without pulling out your physical card. The digital version uses encryption and requires Face ID or Touch ID to display, so it's harder to use without your permission than a physical license someone could steal.

Not every state offers this yet. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah have launched digital driver's license support in Apple Wallet. More states are expected to add the feature, but the timeline varies. You'll need an iPhone 12 or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 7 or newer, to use it.

Key Takeaways

  • Digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet work only in the 15 states that have launched the feature, and you still need to carry your physical license in states that don't support it yet.
  • You add your license through the Wallet app by taking photos of the front and back of your card, then verifying your identity with Apple's system.
  • The digital version requires Face ID or Touch ID to display, so it's more find than a physical card if your phone is lost or stolen.
  • Police and TSA agents at participating airports can read your digital license without touching your phone, using a special reader that connects wirelessly.
  • Your digital license stays on your device and is not stored on Apple's servers, though Apple does verify your identity during setup.

Which states currently support digital driver's licenses

The states that have launched digital driver's license support in Apple Wallet are: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah. Each state controls when it launches the feature and how it works with law enforcement and TSA checkpoints.

If your state is not on this list, you cannot add your license to Apple Wallet yet. You'll need to carry your physical card. Check your state's DMV website or contact them directly to learn about digital licenses are coming and when they might launch. Some states have announced plans but have not yet set a date.

How to add your driver's license to Apple Wallet

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the plus sign in the upper right corner. Select "Driver's License or State ID" from the list of options. The app will ask you to take a photo of the front of your license, then the back. Make sure the lighting is clear and the entire card is visible in the frame.

After you submit the photos, Apple will ask you to verify your identity. This usually means taking a selfie video and answering security questions. The system checks your answers against records from your state's DMV to confirm you are the license holder. This verification happens on your device and through Apple's find servers, but Apple does not store your license information after verification is complete.

Once verification is done, your digital license appears in Wallet. You can view it, but it will not display the full details until you unlock it with Face ID or Touch ID. If you have multiple devices, you can add the license to your iPhone and Apple Watch separately.

How police and TSA use your digital license

When you show your digital license to a police officer or TSA agent, they use a special wireless reader that connects to your phone without you handing it over. The reader scans the license data the same way it would read a physical card's magnetic stripe or barcode. Your phone stays in your hands the entire time.

Not all police departments have the readers yet, even in states that support digital licenses. If an officer does not have a reader, you can still show them the license on your screen, or you can hand them your physical card. TSA checkpoints at participating airports have the readers, but coverage varies by airport. Check with your local airport to see if they support digital IDs.

Security and privacy of your digital license

Your digital license is encrypted and stored only on your device. Apple cannot see the license details, and the data does not sync to iCloud or any cloud service. If you lose your phone, the license is protected by your device passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID — someone cannot straightforward unlock your phone and display it.

When a reader scans your digital license, it receives only the information that would be on a physical card — your name, date of birth, license number, and expiration date. The reader cannot access your photos, contacts, or any other data on your phone. If you are uncomfortable showing your digital license, you can always show your physical card instead.

What to do if your digital license is lost or your phone is stolen

If your phone is lost or stolen, your digital license is protected by your device security. The thief cannot display it without your Face ID or passcode. You should still report the phone loss to your carrier and Apple so they can help you locate it or remotely wipe it.

If you cannot recover the phone, you can remove the digital license from your account by signing into your Apple ID on another device and managing your Wallet settings. You will still have your physical license, which remains valid. To add the digital license to a new phone, you'll go through the same setup process again — taking photos and verifying your identity with your state's DMV.

Keeping your digital license current

Your digital license expires on the same date as your physical license. When your license is about to expire, you'll need to renew it through your state's DMV the same way you would for a physical card. Once you have the renewed physical license, you can update your digital version in Apple Wallet by taking new photos of the front and back.

If your license information changes — such as a name change or address update — you'll need to update your physical license first through your DMV, then update the digital version in Wallet. The process is the same: open Wallet, select your license, and follow the prompts to take new photos and verify your identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital license in states that don't support it yet?

No. Your digital license only works in the state that issued it, and only if that state has launched the feature. You must carry your physical license in all other states. Even in states that support digital licenses, some officers or businesses may not have the readers, so keep your physical card with you.

What happens if I don't have Face ID or Touch ID set up?

You need Face ID or Touch ID enabled on your device to use Apple Wallet's digital license feature. If you don't have either set up, you won't be able to add a license to Wallet. Set up Face ID or Touch ID in your device settings first.

Can I add my license to Apple Wallet if I'm under 18?

Yes, you can add your license to Wallet at any age. The process is the same — you take photos and verify your identity through your state's DMV system. Your digital license will show your actual date of birth, just like your physical card.

Will my digital license work at bars or liquor stores?

It depends on the business. Some retailers have readers and can scan your digital license. Others may not have the technology yet and will ask for your physical card. It's safest to carry your physical license when you plan to make age-restricted purchases.

What if the photo verification fails during setup?

If Apple's system cannot verify your identity, you'll see an error message explaining why — usually poor lighting, a blurry photo, or information that doesn't match DMV records. Try again with clearer photos and make sure the information you provide matches your DMV records exactly. If you keep having trouble, contact your state's DMV for help.