At WWDC 2021, Apple announced the ability to store your driver's license in Apple Wallet on your iPhone, a move that marked a significant step toward eliminating the need for a physical wallet altogether. The idea of digital identity is not new, but integrating it into a platform as popular as Apple Wallet presents new possibilities and challenges.
Since Apple’s announcement, support for storing driver’s licenses in Apple Wallet has been gradually expanding across the United States. Today, iPhone and Apple Watch users in 14 states and Puerto Rico can add their driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet. This feature is not just a technological innovation, but a significant change in the way we interact with our identities, offering convenience and security.
The process of integrating digital IDs into Apple Wallet is not straightforward. It requires working with local authorities and adapting existing systems to support the digital form of IDs. Now, seven new states have confirmed that they are working on supporting driver's licenses in Apple Wallet, either through partnerships with Apple or through references to Apple's code.
These states are at various stages of development, and progress varies significantly from state to state:
- Kentucky (opening in "summer" 2026)
- North Carolina (expected early 2027)
- Oklahoma (under development, launch date not set)
- Utah (under development, launch date not set)
- Virginia (under development, launch date not set)
- Connecticut (uncertain status, previously listed by Apple as a partner)
- Mississippi (uncertain status, previously listed by Apple as a partner)
See also: Apple Wallet boarding passes in iOS 26 are coming to other airlines
The Secure Technology Alliance is tracking the development of mobile driver's license support in the U.S., tracking which states have begun exploring support for mobile IDs through legislation or studies. It's important to note that just because a state is exploring or developing support for digital IDs doesn't necessarily mean it will eventually roll it out, let alone come to Apple Wallet.
The rollout of driver’s license support in Apple Wallet in the United States is still fairly patchy. However, Apple continues to push the idea of digital ID, offering alternatives for users who want to try the feature. Last year, Apple released a new Digital ID feature that is supported by the U.S. passport. While it’s not a driver’s license, it’s a way for users to use their iPhone at TSA checkpoints at more than 250 airports in the United States.
See also: California: Driver's License in Apple Wallet
Driver's License in Apple Wallet: Advantages and Challenges
The ability to store your driver's license in Apple Wallet offers multiple benefits. First, it increases convenience, allowing users to access their IDs with a simple tap on their iPhone or Apple Watch. Second, it enhances security, as digital IDs are encrypted and protected by biometrics, such as Face ID or Touch ID.
Additionally, in the event of a device being lost or stolen, users can disable access to their identities through Find My iPhone.
See also: Utah moves closer to supporting digital IDs in Apple Wallet
However, there are also challenges. The adoption of this technology depends on its acceptance by local authorities and the adaptation of existing systems. In addition, concerns about privacy and security of personal data remain an important factor to consider.
The transition to a digital age where physical identities are replaced by digital ones is inevitable. Apple, with Apple Wallet, is at the forefront of this change, offering innovative solutions that promise to change the way we manage our identities. As technology evolves and more states adopt support for digital IDs, the future looks to be more digital and connected than ever.
