Adding your driver's license to Apple Wallet requires an iPhone 15 or later and happens through the Wallet app itself

To add your driver's license to Apple Wallet, open the Wallet app on your iPhone, tap the plus sign in the upper right corner, select "Driver's License or State ID," and follow the on-screen prompts. You'll take photos of the front and back of your license, then verify your identity through a series of facial recognition checks. The entire process takes about five to ten minutes. Once added, your license appears in Wallet alongside any payment cards or passes you already store there.

Not every state offers this feature yet. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Washington have made digital IDs available through Apple Wallet. More states are expected to add support over time. You can check whether your state participates by opening Wallet, tapping the plus sign, and seeing whether "Driver's License or State ID" appears as an option.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, or later model to store a driver's license in Apple Wallet; older iPhones cannot use this feature.
  • Your state must have partnered with Apple to offer digital IDs; not all states have done so yet, and the list continues to grow.
  • The setup process involves taking photos of your license and completing identity verification through facial recognition, which Apple performs on your device rather than on its servers.
  • Once added, you can display your digital license at TSA checkpoints at participating airports and to police officers during traffic stops in states that support it.
  • Your physical license remains valid and necessary; the digital version is an additional option, not a replacement.

What you need before you start

Check that your iPhone model supports this feature. Apple Wallet driver's license storage works only on iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. If you have an iPhone 14 or earlier, you cannot add a driver's license to Wallet no matter what state you live in.

Confirm that your state has made digital IDs available. Visit Apple's official list or open your Wallet app and attempt to add a license; the app will tell you when ready whether your state is supported. If your state is not yet on the list, you can still use your physical license for all purposes.

Have your physical driver's license in hand and make sure it is not damaged or worn to the point where the text and photo are hard to read. The camera needs to capture clear images of both sides. You will also need a working internet connection and enough battery life to complete the process without your phone shutting down.

Step-by-step process for adding your license

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and look for the plus sign (+) button in the upper right corner of the screen. Tap it to begin adding a new item. A menu will appear with several options; select "Driver's License or State ID." If this option does not appear, your state does not yet support digital IDs through Apple Wallet.

Follow the on-screen instructions to position your license in front of the camera. You will photograph the front of your license first, then the back. Hold the license flat and make sure the entire card is visible in the frame. The app will guide you to adjust the angle or distance if needed. Once you have captured both sides, the app will extract the information from your license automatically.

Complete the identity verification step. Apple uses facial recognition to confirm that you are the person on the license. You will be asked to look at the camera and follow on-screen prompts, which may include tilting your head or blinking. This verification happens on your device itself; Apple does not store the images on its servers. The process typically takes one to two minutes.

Review the information the app extracted from your license and make any corrections if needed. Check that your name, address, license number, and expiration date are all correct. Once you confirm the details, your license is added to Wallet and ready to use.

Where you can use your digital driver's license

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints at participating airports accept digital driver's licenses in states that support them. You can hold your iPhone or Apple Watch up to the ID scanner at security, and the TSA agent can verify your identity without needing your physical card. Not every airport has updated its scanners yet, so you may still need your physical license as a backup at some locations.

Law enforcement officers in participating states can request to see your digital license during traffic stops or other interactions. You display it the same way you would show it at an airport—by holding your phone up to the officer's device or showing the screen directly. Your physical license remains valid and legal to carry; the digital version is straightforward an additional option.

Some states have announced plans to expand where digital IDs can be used, but currently the main uses are TSA checkpoints and police interactions. Retail stores, bars, and other businesses that check ID do not yet have the technology to scan digital licenses, so you will still need your physical card for those situations.

Privacy and security considerations

Apple stores your driver's license information on your device using the same encryption that protects your payment cards in Wallet. The data does not sync to iCloud or Apple's servers. If you lose your phone, your license information stays on that device and is not accessible from another iPhone or computer.

When you show your digital license to a TSA agent or police officer, they scan it using their own device. Apple does not receive information about when or where you display your license. The officer or agent sees only the information that appears on your physical license—your name, photo, address, license number, and expiration date.

If your phone is stolen or lost, you can remove your license from Wallet through iCloud.com or by using Find My iPhone. You can also contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles to report the loss, just as you would for a physical license. Your physical license remains valid and can still be used for all purposes.

Troubleshooting common problems

If the camera cannot read your license clearly, make sure you are in good lighting and that the license is flat against a solid background. Avoid shadows across the card and do not use flash, which can create glare. If the app continues to have trouble, try again in a different location with better lighting.

If your state does not appear in the Wallet app's list of options, your state has not yet partnered with Apple to offer digital IDs. You can check Apple's website periodically to see when your state is added. In the meantime, your physical license works for all purposes.

If you receive an error message during identity verification, make sure your face is clearly visible and well-lit. Remove sunglasses or hats if you are wearing them. If the problem persists, restart your iPhone and try again. If verification continues to fail, contact Apple Support for information.

If your license information was extracted incorrectly, you can edit the details before confirming. Tap on each field and correct any errors. If you notice mistakes after the license is already added to Wallet, you will need to remove it and add it again.

Removing or replacing your digital license

To remove your license from Wallet, open the Wallet app, find your driver's license, and tap the three dots (or information icon) in the corner. Select "Remove" and confirm. Your physical license remains valid and can still be used everywhere.

If you renew your physical license or move to a new state, you will need to add the new license to Wallet as a separate entry. Remove the old one first to avoid confusion. The process is the same as adding a license for the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital license if my phone battery dies?

No. Your digital license is only accessible when your phone has power. If your battery is completely drained, you cannot display your license from your device. This is why carrying your physical license remains important as a backup.

What happens if I upgrade to a new iPhone?

When you set up a new iPhone and restore from your backup, your driver's license will not transfer automatically. You will need to add it again to the new device using the same process. Apple does this for security reasons to may support the person setting up the new phone is the license holder.

Can I add someone else's license to my phone?

No. The identity verification step requires facial recognition that matches the person on the license. You can only add your own license to your Wallet.

Is my digital license valid in all 50 states?

No. Your digital license is only valid in the state that issued it. If you travel to a state that does not support digital IDs, you will need your physical license. Even in states that support digital IDs, some businesses and locations may not have the technology to scan them yet.

Do I still need to carry my physical license?

Yes. Your physical license is still necessary and legal. The digital version is an additional option for convenience at TSA checkpoints and police interactions in participating states, but it does not replace your physical card.