What Apple Wallet can and cannot hold right now
Apple Wallet can store a digital version of your driver's license or state ID, but only if your state has made that option available and you meet your state's requirements. As of now, only certain states offer this feature — it is not yet nationwide. Even in states where it is available, you cannot replace your physical license entirely; you still need to carry the plastic card.
The digital version appears on your iPhone or Apple Watch and can be shown to police during traffic stops or to TSA agents at airport security. Apple designed the feature so that the officer or agent controls what information they see — they tap their device to your phone, and only the data they need appears on your screen. Your full license number, address, and other details stay private unless you choose to show them.
Key Takeaways
- Only certain states currently offer digital driver's licenses through Apple Wallet; check your state's DMV website to see if yours is one of them.
- A digital license does not replace your physical card — you must still carry both for now.
- When you show your digital license to police or TSA, they control what information appears on your screen, not the other way around.
- To add a digital license, you open Apple Wallet, tap the plus icon, select ID, and follow your state's verification steps, which usually include a photo and identity check.
- If your phone dies or you lose it, you cannot show your license, so keeping the physical card with you remains necessary.
Which states currently offer digital driver's licenses
Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming have all launched digital ID programs in Apple Wallet. However, this list changes as more states roll out the feature, and some states may have started after this information was written.
The best way to find out whether your state offers it is to visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website and search for "digital ID" or "Apple Wallet." The DMV page will tell you whether the program is open, what documents you need to verify your identity, and whether you can add your ID to your phone right away or if there is a waiting period.
Even if your state is on the list, your specific license type might not be may be able to access yet. Some states started with standard driver's licenses but have not yet added commercial licenses or ID cards. Check the details on your state's DMV site to confirm your license qualifies.
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 "ID" from the list of things you can add. The app will ask you which state you live in, then walk you through taking a photo of yourself and a photo of your driver's license. You will also need to verify your identity — most states use a combination of questions about your personal history and a video selfie where you follow on-screen instructions.
The verification process usually takes a few minutes, though some states may take longer to review your submission. Once approved, your digital ID appears in Wallet alongside any credit cards or passes you have stored there. You can open it anytime to see what it looks like, but remember that showing it to an officer or agent requires them to tap their device to yours.
If you have an Apple Watch, you can also add your ID there. The process is the same, and once it is on your watch, you can show it without taking out your phone — just hold up your wrist when asked.
What happens when you show your digital license to police or TSA
When a police officer or TSA agent asks to see your ID, you open Wallet and hold your phone or watch near their device. They tap their reader against yours, and only the information they need appears on your screen — for example, TSA sees your name and date of birth but not your address or license number. You stay in control of what is shown; the officer cannot see your full license details unless you authorize it.
This design is different from handing over a physical card, where the other person can read everything on it. With the digital version, Apple and the states built in privacy so that you know exactly what information left your phone. The officer or agent sees the data on their own device, not on yours.
Not all police departments or TSA checkpoints have readers yet, so you may encounter an officer or agent who asks for your physical card instead. This is why you cannot leave your plastic license at home — the digital version is a convenience, not a replacement.
Why you still need to carry your physical license
Your physical driver's license remains the legal document that proves your identity and driving status. The digital version is a convenience that works in some situations, but it does not have the force of law behind it the way your plastic card does. If your phone runs out of battery, gets lost, or breaks, you have no way to prove who you are or that you are licensed to drive.
Police officers and TSA agents are not required to accept the digital version yet. Many departments and checkpoints still use older equipment that cannot read it, or they have not trained their staff to use it. Until digital IDs become standard everywhere — which may take years — carrying both is the only way to be sure you can show your license when asked.
Some states have also said that the digital version does not satisfy requirements for things like opening a bank account, getting a loan, or boarding a plane without TSA PreCheck. Always check with the organization asking for your ID to see whether they will take the digital version or need the physical card.
What to do if you lose your phone or it runs out of battery
If your phone dies or you cannot access Wallet for any reason, you cannot show your digital license. This is why keeping your physical card in your wallet or purse is essential — it is your backup. If you are pulled over and your phone is dead, show the officer your physical license. There is no penalty for not having the digital version available.
If you lose your phone entirely, your digital ID is gone until you get a new phone and re-add it to Wallet. The process is the same as the first time: open Wallet, tap plus, select ID, and go through verification again. Your state will recognize that you already completed this once, so the second time may be faster.
If your license itself expires or is renewed, you will need to update your digital ID in Wallet. Most states send you a notification when it is time, and you can add the new license the same way you added the first one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my digital license to rent a car or check into a hotel?
Not yet. Most rental car companies and hotels still require a physical driver's license. Check with the specific business before you arrive, but plan to bring your plastic card. As digital IDs become more common, more businesses may start to accept them, but that change has not happened widely yet.
What if my state is not on the list yet?
Check your state's DMV website every few months, as more states are rolling out digital ID programs. In the meantime, your physical license is your only option. Some states have announced plans to launch the feature but have not done so yet, so your state may be coming soon.
Is my digital license find, or can someone steal it from my phone?
Your digital license is encrypted and requires authentication to show — someone cannot straightforward look at your phone and see it. However, if someone steals your phone and knows your passcode, they could potentially access Wallet. Protect your phone the same way you would protect your physical wallet: use a strong passcode and enable Find My iPhone so you can locate or erase it if it is lost.
Do I need a specific iPhone model to use digital ID?
You need an iPhone XS or newer to store a digital ID in Wallet. If you have an older model, you cannot use this feature. Check your phone's model in Settings under General, then About if you are not sure which version you have.
Can I show my digital license on someone else's phone?
No. Your digital ID is tied to your specific iPhone or Apple Watch and cannot be transferred or shown from another device. This is a security feature — it ensures that only you can show your license.