How to Add Your Driver's License to Apple Wallet

What Apple Wallet does with your license

Apple Wallet stores a digital copy of your driver's license or state ID that you can show to police or TSA agents without handing over your physical card. When you present it, the officer or agent taps their device to your phone — you do not hand them your phone, and they cannot see your full license number, address, or other details you do not want them to see. Apple controls what information displays and what stays hidden.

Not every state offers this yet. As of early 2024, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington have launched digital ID in Apple Wallet. More states are expected to add the feature throughout 2024 and 2025. Your state's DMV website will say whether your state supports it.

You still need your physical license. Digital ID in Apple Wallet is an additional option, not a replacement. You cannot use it everywhere a physical license works — some police departments and agencies have not yet equipped officers with the readers needed to accept it.

Key Takeaways

Your state must support digital ID in Apple Wallet before you can add your license; check your state DMV website to confirm.
You need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or newer to add and display your license in Wallet.
The process requires you to take a photo of your license, a selfie, and answer identity verification questions through your state's DMV app or website.
Once added, you can show your license by opening Wallet, selecting your ID, and holding your phone near a reader — the officer or agent cannot see details you do not authorize.

Check that your state and phone support digital ID

Visit your state's DMV website and search for "digital ID" or "Apple Wallet." The page will tell you whether your state offers it and which iPhone models work. If your state does not yet support it, you cannot add your license to Wallet no matter what you do — the feature is controlled by your state, not by Apple.

Your iPhone must be an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or a newer model. Older iPhones, including the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, do not have the hardware needed to display digital ID securely. If you have an older model, you will need to upgrade before you can use this feature.

Your phone must also be running the current version of iOS. Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update to check. Install any available update before you start the process.

Start the process through your state's DMV

Your state's DMV will direct you to either their official app or a web portal where you begin adding your license. Do not use a third-party app or website — only use the official DMV channel your state lists on their website. This protects your identity and ensures the information goes to the right place.

Open the app or website and look for an option like "Add to Apple Wallet," "Digital ID," or "Mobile Driver's License." You will be asked to sign in with your DMV account. If you do not have one, you will need to create it first — this usually requires your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

The DMV will ask you to verify your identity before you can proceed. This step protects against fraud. You may be asked security questions about your driving record, address history, or other details only you would know. Answer honestly and completely.

Provide photos and answer verification questions

You will be asked to take a photo of the front and back of your physical driver's license. Use good lighting and make sure the entire card is visible and in focus. The DMV's system will read the information from your license automatically.

Next, you will take a selfie. The system uses this to confirm that you are the person on the license. Look directly at the camera, keep your face centered, and avoid shadows or glare. You may be asked to blink or move your head slightly so the system can verify you are a real person, not a photo.

The DMV will then ask you additional identity verification questions. These are usually about your personal history — previous addresses, vehicle information, or financial accounts. Answer each question carefully. If you answer too many incorrectly, the system will reject your request and you may need to try again later or contact the DMV directly.

Review and submit your information

Before you submit, the system will show you a summary of the information it collected from your license and your photos. Review it carefully. If anything is wrong — a misspelled name, incorrect address, or blurry photo — you can go back and fix it before you submit.

Once you submit, the DMV will send your request to Apple for final verification. This usually takes a few minutes, but it can take up to 24 hours. You will receive a notification on your phone when the process is complete.

If the DMV rejects your request, you will see a reason — usually that a photo was too blurry, the identity verification failed, or the information did not match their records. If this happens, you can try again, but wait at least a few hours before you do. If you keep getting rejected, contact your state's DMV directly to troubleshoot.

Add the license to Apple Wallet once approved

When the DMV approves your request, you will see a prompt to add your license to Apple Wallet. Tap "Add" and follow the on-screen instructions. Your phone may ask you to authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID to confirm you are the owner of the device.

Your license will now appear in your Wallet app alongside any credit cards, transit passes, or other IDs you have stored there. You can see it by opening Wallet and tapping your driver's license.

Apple Wallet will ask you to set up a PIN or use biometric authentication (Face ID or Touch ID) to display your license. This is a security step — it prevents someone who steals your phone from showing your ID to police. Choose a PIN you will remember, or use Face ID or Touch ID if you prefer.

How to show your license when asked

When a police officer, TSA agent, or other official asks to see your ID, open your Wallet app and tap your driver's license. Your phone will ask you to authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your PIN. Once you do, your license will display on the screen.

Hold your phone near the reader the officer or agent is holding. The reader will tap your phone and pull the information it needs. You stay in control — you can see what information is being requested, and you can decline to share it if you choose. The officer or agent cannot see your full license number, address, or other details unless you authorize it.

If the officer or agent does not have a reader, or if their reader is not compatible with Apple Wallet, you will need to show your physical license instead. Always carry your physical license with you as a backup.

Troubleshooting common problems

If your license does not appear in Wallet after approval, restart your iPhone. Go to Settings, then Wallet & Apple Pay, and check that your license is listed. If it is not there, open your state's DMV app or website and look for an option to re-send the license to Wallet.

If you get an error message when you try to authenticate your license, make sure Face ID or Touch ID is set up correctly on your phone. Go to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), and verify that your biometric data is registered. If you are using a PIN instead, make sure you are entering it correctly.

If your license was rejected during the verification process, check your state's DMV website for a list of common reasons — usually blurry photos, mismatched information, or identity verification failure. Some states allow you to try again when ready; others require you to wait 24 hours. If you keep getting rejected, call your state's DMV customer service line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital license if my phone dies or runs out of battery?

No. Your phone must be powered on and have enough battery to authenticate and display your license. If your battery is critically low, your phone may not let you open Wallet. Always carry your physical license as a backup, especially on long trips.

What happens if I get a new phone?

You will need to add your license to Wallet again on the new phone. The process is the same — go through your state's DMV app or website and follow the steps to add it. Your old license will remain on your old phone until you remove it.

Can I share my digital license with someone else?

No. Your digital license is tied to your phone and your biometric authentication. Only you can authenticate and display it. If someone else tries to open it, they will need your PIN or biometric data, which they should not have.

Do I still need my physical license?

Yes. Not all police departments, agencies, or businesses have readers that accept digital ID yet. Always carry your physical license. Digital ID is an additional option, not a replacement.

What if my license information changes?

If you renew your license, change your address, or update any other information, you will need to add the new license to Wallet. Remove the old one from Wallet first by opening it, swiping up, and tapping "Remove." Then go through your state's DMV app or website to add the updated license.

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.