Adding your driver's license to Apple Wallet

You can store your driver's license or state ID in the Wallet app on your iPhone, where it appears alongside your credit cards and passes. When you add it, your phone encrypts the ID and stores it separately from other data. You'll need an iPhone 15 or later, and your state must participate in the program — not all states offer this yet.

The process takes about five minutes. You'll photograph the front and back of your ID, verify your identity with Face ID or Touch ID, and answer a few security questions. Apple then sends your information to your state's DMV to confirm it's real. Once approved, you can show your ID at airport security, some car rental counters, and certain other locations by holding your phone near a reader or tapping it on a screen.

Your ID stays on your phone even if it's locked or powered off, though you'll need to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID each time you present it. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can remove the ID remotely through iCloud.com.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an iPhone 15 or later running iOS 16.1 or higher, and your state must support digital IDs through Apple Wallet.
  • The Wallet app guides you through photographing both sides of your ID, then verifies your identity and sends the information to your state's DMV.
  • Approval usually takes a few minutes to a few hours, though some states may take longer.
  • You can present your digital ID at TSA checkpoints, some car rental agencies, and other locations that have compatible readers.
  • If your phone is lost, you can remove your ID from iCloud.com without needing the phone itself.

Which states currently support digital driver's licenses

As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, and Utah allow you to add your driver's license or state ID to Apple Wallet. The list continues to grow, and Apple regularly adds new states. If your state isn't listed yet, you can still check the Wallet app — it will show you whether your state is supported.

Each state manages its own rollout timeline. Some states began with driver's licenses only, then added state IDs later. Others started with state IDs first. The Wallet app will tell you exactly what documents your state offers when you open it.

Step-by-step: adding your ID to 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 menu. The app will ask you to choose which state issued your ID.

Position your ID in front of your phone's camera and photograph the front side. Make sure the entire card is visible and well-lit. The app will guide you through this — it will tell you if the photo is too blurry or if part of the ID is cut off. After you photograph the front, do the same for the back.

Next, the app will ask you to take a selfie using Face ID. This confirms that you're the person on the ID. You'll then answer security questions that only the real ID holder would know — these might ask about your address history, previous addresses, or other details from your DMV record.

Once you've answered the questions, Apple sends your information to your state's DMV for verification. You'll see a message saying your ID is being verified. This usually takes a few minutes, but can take several hours depending on the state.

What to do if verification takes a long time

If your ID hasn't been verified after a few hours, check the Wallet app — it will show you the current status. Some states process verifications more slowly than others, particularly during busy times. You can close the app and check back later; there's no need to restart the process.

If you see an error message or your ID is rejected, the app will explain why. Common reasons include a blurry photo, a photo that doesn't show your full ID, or information that doesn't match your DMV record exactly. If this happens, you can try adding your ID again from the beginning.

Using your digital ID at airports and other locations

At TSA checkpoints, tell the agent you have a digital ID on your phone. Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the reader — the agent will guide you on exactly where to position it. You'll need to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID before the ID displays. The reader will show your ID information to the agent, similar to how a physical license works.

Some car rental companies and other businesses also accept digital IDs, but not all do yet. Before you travel, check with the specific company or location to confirm they accept Apple Wallet IDs. If they don't, you'll still need your physical ID as a backup.

Your digital ID works the same way whether your phone is on or off, as long as the battery has enough charge. If your battery is critically low, your phone may not be able to display the ID.

Keeping your digital ID find

Your driver's license in Wallet is encrypted and stored separately from your other data. Apple doesn't see the contents of your ID, and neither does the company or location where you present it — they only see the information necessary to verify your identity, similar to what they'd see on a physical card.

If your phone is lost or stolen, you can remove your ID remotely by going to iCloud.com, signing in with your Apple ID, and selecting "Find My iPhone." Choose your phone and select "Erase This Device." Your ID will be removed along with everything else on the phone. You can then add your ID to a new phone once you have one.

If you straightforward want to remove your ID from your current phone without erasing everything else, open Wallet, tap your ID, tap the three dots in the upper right, and select "Remove." You can add it back anytime.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the Wallet app won't let you add your ID, first check that you have an iPhone 15 or later and that your iOS is up to date. Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update to see if an update is available. Your state also must support digital IDs — if it doesn't appear in the list when you try to add an ID, your state hasn't launched the program yet.

If your photos keep getting rejected, make sure your ID is well-lit and fully visible in the frame. Avoid shadows, glare, and angles. The front and back of your ID should be photographed separately, not both in one photo. If you're still having trouble, try adding your ID again from the start — sometimes the app needs a fresh attempt.

If you're stuck on the security questions or your ID is rejected after verification, contact your state's DMV directly. They can tell you whether there's a mismatch in your records or another issue preventing verification. The Wallet app will show you contact information for your state's DMV if you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still need to carry my physical driver's license?

Yes. While digital IDs work at TSA checkpoints and some car rental companies, not all businesses accept them yet. Keep your physical ID with you as a backup, especially when traveling. Over time, more locations will accept digital IDs, but that transition is still underway.

What happens if my phone dies while I'm traveling?

Your digital ID won't display if your phone is powered off or the battery is too low. This is why you should always carry your physical ID when traveling. Some newer iPhones can display certain information even with a critically low battery, but this isn't may provide for all situations.

Can I add my ID to my Apple Watch instead of my iPhone?

Yes, you can add your driver's license to an Apple Watch Series 9 or later. You'll still need an iPhone 15 or later to set it up initially. Once it's on your watch, you can present your ID at compatible readers by holding your watch near them and authenticating with your wrist detection or passcode.

What if I move to a different state?

You'll need to remove your current ID from Wallet and add your new state's ID once you get your new license. Open Wallet, tap your ID, tap the three dots, and select "Remove." Then follow the same process to add your new state's ID. You can't have IDs from multiple states in Wallet at the same time.

Is my information safe if I show my digital ID to someone?

Your digital ID is encrypted and only shows the information needed for verification, similar to a physical ID. The person or business viewing it can't access your phone or any other data. However, like a physical ID, don't show it to anyone you don't trust, and be cautious about where you present it.