Adding your driver license to Apple Wallet works on iPhone and Apple Watch, but only in certain states

You can store a digital copy of your driver license or state ID in Apple Wallet on your iPhone or Apple Watch. When you do, you can show it to TSA agents at airport security or to police officers during traffic stops — you don't have to hand over your physical card. The process takes about 10 minutes and involves taking photos of your license and answering identity verification questions.

Not every state offers this yet. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, and Texas have launched digital ID in Apple Wallet. More states are expected to add the feature over time. You can check whether your state supports it by opening Apple Wallet, tapping the plus sign, and looking for "Driver's License or State ID" as an option.

You still need to carry your physical license. The digital version is an additional option, not a replacement. Some situations — like renewing your license at the DMV or crossing an international border — still require the physical card.

Key Takeaways

  • Digital driver licenses work on iPhone and Apple Watch in 13 states currently, with more expected to follow.
  • The setup process requires you to photograph both sides of your license and complete identity verification through Apple's system.
  • You can show your digital ID to TSA agents at airport security and to police during traffic stops, but you still need your physical license for some situations.
  • Once added, you control what information appears each time you present your ID — you can choose to show just your age without your address, for example.

What you need before you start

Your iPhone must be running iOS 15.1 or later, or your Apple Watch must be running watchOS 8.1 or later. You also need to be in one of the states that currently supports the feature. If you're using an iPhone, you'll need Face ID or Touch ID set up on your device.

Have your physical driver license or state ID ready. You'll photograph both the front and back of the card during setup. Make sure you're in good lighting and the card is flat and fully visible in the frame.

Step-by-step: adding your license to iPhone

Open Apple Wallet and tap the plus sign in the upper right corner. Scroll down and select "Driver's License or State ID." Choose your state from the list. If your state doesn't appear, that state hasn't launched the feature yet.

Follow the on-screen instructions to photograph the front of your license, then the back. Apple will ask you to position your card in the frame and take the photo — you don't upload an existing photo. After both photos are taken, you'll verify your identity by answering questions that only you should know the answers to, like details from your driver's license record or your state ID file.

Once identity verification is complete, your license appears in Apple Wallet. You can tap it to see what information will display when you present it — Apple shows you a preview of what TSA or law enforcement will see.

Step-by-step: adding your license to Apple Watch

You must first add your license to your iPhone. Once it's in Apple Wallet on your phone, open the Wallet app, find your driver's license, tap it, scroll down, and select "Add to Apple Watch." Your watch must be paired with your iPhone and running the required watchOS version.

Your license will sync to your watch within a few minutes. When you need to show it, you can raise your wrist and open Wallet on your watch, then tap your license. The same identity verification applies — you'll need to authenticate with your wrist to display the full card.

How to present your digital ID at airport security or during a traffic stop

At TSA checkpoints, tell the agent you have a digital ID and hold up your iPhone or Apple Watch with Wallet open. The agent will scan the barcode on your digital license using their scanner — the same equipment they use for physical IDs. You control what information displays: you can choose to show just your age and name without your address if you prefer.

During a traffic stop, you can hand your iPhone or Apple Watch to the officer with your license displayed. The officer's equipment can read the barcode the same way. You remain in control of what data is visible on the screen.

Some states are still training law enforcement on how to accept digital IDs, so not every officer may be familiar with the process yet. If an officer asks for a physical license, you should provide it — the digital version is not yet universally accepted everywhere.

What information shows when you present your ID

When you tap your license to display it, Apple shows you exactly what information will be visible to the person scanning it. You can choose to show or hide certain details — for example, you can display your age without showing your address. This choice is yours to make each time you present the ID.

The barcode on your digital license contains the same information as your physical license's barcode. TSA and law enforcement can scan it to verify your identity and see the data encoded in the barcode, just as they would with a physical card.

Keeping your digital license find

Your digital license is protected by the same security features as your iPhone or Apple Watch — Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. You must authenticate before the full license displays, so someone who picks up your unlocked phone can't straightforward open Wallet and see your ID information.

If you lose your phone or watch, you can remove your license from that device using iCloud.com or by signing into your Apple account on another device. Your license remains stored in Apple's system and you can add it to a new device once you set it up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital ID to rent a car or buy alcohol?

Not yet. Digital IDs in Apple Wallet currently work only with TSA at airports and with law enforcement during traffic stops. Rental car companies and retailers are not yet set up to scan digital IDs. You'll still need your physical license for those situations.

What happens if my state hasn't launched digital ID yet?

You'll need to wait until your state's DMV or licensing authority partners with Apple to launch the feature. There's no way to add a license from an unsupported state. You can check Apple's website or your state's DMV website periodically to see if the feature has been added.

Do I need to delete my digital ID if I renew my license?

When you renew your physical license, you'll receive a new card with a new number. You can add the new license to Apple Wallet as a separate entry, or you can remove the old one first. Apple Wallet supports multiple IDs, so you can keep both temporarily if needed.

Can someone else use my digital ID if they have my phone?

No. Your phone requires Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode before your license will display. Even if someone unlocks your phone, they still need to authenticate again to see your full ID information. This extra layer of security is built into how Apple Wallet works.

What if the TSA agent or officer doesn't know how to scan a digital ID?

You can show them your physical license instead. Digital ID is still new, and not every agent or officer may be trained on it yet. Having both your physical and digital ID means you're prepared either way. If an agent seems unfamiliar, offering your physical card avoids any delay.