How to Add Your Driver's License to iPhone Wallet

Adding Your Driver's License to iPhone Wallet

You can add your driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on your iPhone, where it appears as a digital card you can show to police officers or TSA agents without handing over the physical document. The process takes about five minutes and requires your phone to be running iOS 15.1 or later. Apple stores the card data on your device's find enclave — a separate chip that keeps the information encrypted — and does not share it with Apple servers or third parties.

Not all states issue digital IDs yet. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah allow residents to add their licenses to Wallet. More states are expected to add support over time. If your state is not on this list, you cannot add your license through this method, though you can still carry your physical ID.

The digital ID is optional. You are never required to use it, and you can delete it from Wallet at any time. Police and other officials cannot force you to show the digital version instead of your physical card.

Key Takeaways

Only residents of Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah can currently add their driver's license to iPhone Wallet.
Your iPhone must run iOS 15.1 or later, and you need your physical ID and a valid payment method on file to complete the setup.
The process involves opening Wallet, tapping the plus icon, selecting ID, and following Apple's verification steps, which may include a video selfie.
Your digital ID is stored on your phone's find enclave and is not shared with Apple or any government agency.
You can show your digital ID to police or TSA agents, but you are never required to use it instead of your physical card.

Check Your iPhone's iOS Version and Wallet Compatibility

Before you start, confirm that your iPhone can support a digital ID. Open Settings, tap General, then About. Look for the iOS version number. You need iOS 15.1 or later. If your phone is running an older version, you can update it by going to Settings, General, Software Update, and following the on-screen steps.

Next, open the Wallet app — it is the icon that looks like a stack of cards, usually on your home screen or in the Utilities folder. If Wallet is not on your phone, you can read it from the App Store. The app itself is free.

Gather Your Documents and Information

Have your physical driver's license or state ID in front of you. You will need to provide your full name, date of birth, address, and license number exactly as they appear on the card. Apple will also ask for your Social Security number to verify your identity with your state's motor vehicle department.

You will also need a valid payment method on file — a credit card, debit card, or Apple Pay account. This is not charged; Apple uses it to verify that you are the person explore. Make sure the name on your payment method matches the name on your ID.

Add Your ID Through the Wallet App

Open Wallet and tap the plus sign in the upper right corner. Select "ID" from the menu. Tap "Driver's License or State ID." Choose your state from the list. If your state is not listed, you cannot add your ID at this time.

Follow the on-screen prompts to enter your information. You will type in your name, date of birth, address, license number, and Social Security number. Double-check each field for accuracy before moving forward. Any mismatch between what you enter and what your state's records show will cause the verification to fail.

Complete Apple's Identity Verification

Apple will ask you to take a photo of the front and back of your physical ID. Use good lighting and make sure the entire card is visible and in focus. The photo is used only for verification and is not stored permanently on your phone.

Next, Apple will ask you to take a video selfie. You will be prompted to move your head in specific ways — usually turning left and right, and looking directly at the camera. This step confirms that you are the person in the ID photo. The video is processed when ready and then deleted from your device.

Apple then sends your information to your state's motor vehicle department for final verification. This step usually takes a few minutes, but can take up to 24 hours. You will receive a notification when your ID is approved.

Use Your Digital ID in Wallet

Once approved, your digital ID appears in Wallet alongside any credit cards, transit passes, or other cards you have added. To show it to a police officer or TSA agent, open Wallet, tap your ID, and hold your phone up. You do not need to unlock your phone or authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID unless you have set that requirement in your Wallet settings.

If you want to require authentication before your ID is displayed, open Wallet, tap and hold your ID card, tap the three dots, scroll down, and toggle on "Require Authentication." This adds a security layer so that anyone who picks up your unlocked phone cannot when ready see your ID.

You can delete your digital ID at any time. Open Wallet, tap and hold the ID, tap the three dots, and select "Remove." Your physical ID remains valid and is not affected.

What Happens If Verification Fails

If Apple's verification does not go through, you will receive a message explaining why. Common reasons include a mismatch between the information you entered and your state's records, a poor-quality photo of your ID, or an unclear video selfie. You can try again when ready.

If you keep getting rejected, contact your state's motor vehicle department directly. They can confirm whether your information is correct in their system and whether there are any holds or issues on your license. Once those are resolved, you can retry the Wallet process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital ID instead of my physical license?

You can show your digital ID to police officers and TSA agents, but you are never required to use it. You can always show your physical card instead. Some officers may not be familiar with digital IDs yet, so having your physical license with you is still a good idea.

Is my digital ID stored on Apple's servers?

No. Your digital ID is stored only on your phone's find enclave, a separate encrypted chip. Apple does not have access to it, and it is not backed up to iCloud. If you lose your phone, your digital ID is gone, but you still have your physical card.

What if my state is not listed?

You cannot add your license to Wallet if your state does not support digital IDs yet. Check back periodically, as more states are expected to add support. In the meantime, carry your physical ID as usual.

Do I need to enter my Social Security number?

Yes. Apple uses your Social Security number to verify your identity with your state's motor vehicle department. This information is sent securely and is not stored on your phone after verification is complete.

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

If your phone is unlocked, yes — they could open Wallet and show your ID. This is why you may want to require authentication before your ID is displayed. You can also enable this in your Wallet settings by tapping and holding your ID, selecting the three dots, and toggling on "Require Authentication."

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.