The first state to officially roll out Apple’s digital driver’s license and state ID is Arizona, the iPhone maker announced Wednesday. “Starting today, Arizonans can add their driver’s license or state ID to Wallet and tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to seamlessly and securely present it at select TSA security checkpoints at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport,” Apple announced in a press release†
If you live in Arizona and want to add your license or ID to Wallet, you can do so directly from the Wallet app. Snap photos of the front and back of your license or ID, and you’ll be “asked to perform a series of facial and head movements during the installation process,” according to Apple. Apple isn’t the one approving requests to add licenses or IDs to Wallet — instead, the company says Arizona is responsible for it.
Image: Apple
According to Apple, if you want to show your digital license or ID to TSA at the airport, this process looks like:
On their iPhone or Apple Watch, users can see what information the TSA asks for and can authorize it to be provided with Face ID or Touch ID, without having to unlock their iPhone or show their ID card . All information is shared digitally, so users don’t have to show or hand over their device to show their ID.
According to Apple, the TSA will also take a photo of the traveler during this process for verification purposes. We’ve asked Apple and the TSA for details about where those photos can be stored, how they can keep them private, and whether the photos will be deleted after a certain amount of time. We also asked Apple and the TSA whether these digital IDs are Real ID compliant. you will need a real ID compliant identification card to fly domestically from May 2023 (although that deadline has already been pushed back) a couple of times†
Apple has recently stepped up its efforts to make the Wallet app a replacement for your physical wallet, although many of its initiatives were only available sporadically. The digital licenses/IDs are currently only available “for use in select states at select TSA checkpoints within Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)”, according to Apple’s fine print† Apple’s digital car keys are only supported by select BMW models, although they are reportedly coming to Hyundai’s Genesis brand. Digital hotel keys are available at select Hyatt hotels. And you can add one COVID-19 vaccine card to Wallet only if your healthcare provider or health agency supports the feature.
Apple says other states will offer the driver’s license and ID “soon,” including Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, the territories of Puerto Rico and Utah.