Which states and places accept Apple Wallet IDs today
As of early 2025, you can use an Apple Wallet driver's license or state ID in a limited but growing set of places. The states that have launched digital ID support in Apple Wallet are Arizona, California, 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, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Not every state has launched yet, and the list continues to expand.
Within those states, you can use your digital ID at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints at participating airports. You can also use it at some state government offices for in-person transactions. A smaller number of retail locations, banks, and other businesses have begun accepting digital IDs, but this varies significantly by location and business type. Apple does not publish a master list of every retail location that accepts the digital ID, so your best approach is to ask the business directly or check their website before you arrive.
The digital ID does not work everywhere a physical license works. You cannot use it for age-restricted purchases at stores (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis) in any state yet. You also cannot use it for vehicle registration, insurance transactions, or law enforcement traffic stops in most places. These restrictions exist because the technology and legal framework are still being developed.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Wallet digital IDs work at TSA airport security checkpoints in all participating states and at some state government offices for in-person services.
- Retail businesses, banks, and other private companies are beginning to accept digital IDs, but acceptance is not widespread and varies by location.
- You cannot use a digital ID for age-restricted purchases, vehicle registration, insurance, or police traffic stops in any state currently.
- Your physical driver's license or ID card remains the legal document for most transactions and must be carried with you.
- The list of states offering digital IDs in Apple Wallet continues to grow, and acceptance at businesses is expanding gradually.
How TSA checkpoints work with Apple Wallet IDs
At TSA security checkpoints, you can present your Apple Wallet digital ID by holding your phone or Apple Watch up to the TSA agent's reader device. The agent scans the ID the same way they would scan a physical card. You do not need to unlock your phone or enter a PIN — the digital ID is designed to work while your device is locked, which is a security feature.
Not every TSA checkpoint has the technology to read digital IDs yet. Larger airports in participating states are more likely to have the readers installed. If the checkpoint does not have a reader, or if the agent is unfamiliar with the process, you can still use your physical ID. TSA has not made digital IDs mandatory, so carrying your physical license remains the safest approach for air travel.
The TSA website lists which airports have digital ID readers, though the list updates as more airports install the technology. You can check before your trip, but having your physical ID with you is still the practical standard.
State government offices and digital ID use
Some state government offices accept digital IDs for in-person transactions like renewing vehicle registration, updating address information, or explore for permits. The specific offices and services that accept digital IDs vary by state. Arizona and California, which were among the first to launch digital IDs, have integrated them into some DMV and state agency services, but not all.
Before you visit a state office, contact them directly to ask whether they accept Apple Wallet IDs for your specific transaction. Many offices still require the physical card, and policies are changing as the technology becomes more common. State websites sometimes list which services accept digital IDs, but this information is not always current.
Retail and business acceptance is still limited
Banks, grocery stores, gas stations, and other retail businesses are beginning to accept Apple Wallet digital IDs, but this is not yet standard practice. Acceptance depends on whether the business has installed the necessary reader technology and trained staff to recognize and process digital IDs. Large national chains are more likely to have the infrastructure than small local businesses.
Some banks use digital ID verification during account opening or identity verification processes. A few grocery and convenience store chains have tested digital ID acceptance for age-restricted purchases, but this remains experimental in most places. You cannot rely on any retail location accepting your digital ID unless you have confirmed it in advance.
The best approach is to call ahead or check the business's website. If they do not mention digital IDs, assume they do not accept them yet and bring your physical card.
What you still cannot do with a digital ID
Age-restricted purchases — alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other regulated items — cannot be made with a digital ID in any state yet. Retailers are not legally permitted to accept them for these transactions, even in states where digital IDs are available. This restriction exists because the legal framework for age verification with digital IDs has not been finalized.
Law enforcement traffic stops do not accept digital IDs. If you are pulled over, you must provide your physical driver's license. Police departments have not adopted the technology, and the legal questions around digital ID verification during stops are still being worked out.
Vehicle registration, insurance transactions, and title transfers still require your physical ID card. These are handled through state DMV systems and insurance company processes that have not yet integrated digital ID technology.
How to add your driver's license to Apple Wallet
To add your driver's license or state ID to Apple Wallet, open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad and tap the plus sign. Select "Driver's License or State ID" and follow the prompts to scan your card and take a photo of yourself. You will need to verify your identity through your state's process, which typically involves answering security questions or providing additional information.
Not all states support adding IDs to Apple Wallet yet. If your state is not listed, you cannot add your ID to the app. The list of supported states is displayed in the Wallet app when you try to add an ID, so you will know when ready whether your state participates.
Once your digital ID is added, it appears in your Wallet alongside your payment cards and passes. You can use it at any location that accepts digital IDs, but you should always carry your physical card as a backup.
When to carry your physical ID instead
For any transaction outside of TSA checkpoints and participating state offices, carry your physical driver's license or ID card. Retail businesses, banks, and other organizations are still in the early stages of accepting digital IDs, and many staff members are not trained to use them. Having your physical card ensures you can complete your transaction without delay.
For age-restricted purchases, law enforcement interactions, vehicle registration, and insurance transactions, your physical ID is the only accepted form. Digital IDs do not replace your physical card in these situations.
The digital ID is best thought of as a convenience option for specific situations — primarily air travel through TSA checkpoints — rather than a replacement for your physical card. As technology and legal frameworks develop, more uses will become available, but that expansion is still in progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Apple Wallet ID to buy alcohol or cigarettes?
No. Digital IDs cannot be used for age-restricted purchases in any state yet. You must use your physical driver's license or ID card for alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other age-restricted items. This restriction is in place because the legal framework for age verification with digital IDs has not been finalized.
What happens if I lose my phone but have my digital ID in Apple Wallet?
Your digital ID is encrypted and stored securely on your device. If you lose your phone, you can remove the ID from your account through Apple's Find My service or by contacting your state's DMV. Your physical card remains valid and is your primary form of ID. You should report the lost phone to Apple and your state when ready.
Do I still need to carry my physical driver's license if I have it in Apple Wallet?
Yes. Your physical driver's license is still the legal document and is required for most transactions. The digital ID is a convenience option for specific situations like TSA checkpoints, not a replacement for your physical card. Always carry both.
Will my digital ID work at every TSA checkpoint?
Not yet. Larger airports in participating states are more likely to have digital ID readers installed, but not all TSA checkpoints have the technology. If the checkpoint does not have a reader, you can use your physical ID. Check the TSA website before your trip to see if your airport has digital ID readers.
Can I use my digital ID for a police traffic stop?
No. Law enforcement does not accept digital IDs during traffic stops. You must provide your physical driver's license. Digital IDs are not yet integrated into police verification systems, and the legal questions around their use in law enforcement situations are still being resolved.