Here’s how you can (and can’t) use Apple digital IDs in the real world

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Support is live in select states for Apple Wallet to securely store driver’s licenses and state IDs on iPhone and Apple Watch. While there is excitement around the new feature, there are also a number of questions and concerns. Let’s dive into how Apple digital IDs work in the real world, where they’re available, where they’re accepted, and more.

Apple digital IDs background

Apple first unveiled support for digital IDs in the Wallet app back in June 2021 and pushed back the debut until March 2022 in the US.

With support for Apple digital IDs, states can allow users’ existing physical IDs to be stored securely on iPhone and Apple Watch with the same encryption that makes Apple Pay possible.

The goal with Apple digital IDs is to offer the security and privacy of iPhone and Apple Watch like Face ID and Touch ID, strong encryption, and other benefits that “a physical ID can’t match.”

Apple digital IDs availability

Support for Apple digital IDs is determined by each state/territory and is opt-in for users.

Now available

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Georgia
• Maryland
• Ohio

In the works

Apple hasn’t shared exactly which states will launch next or when. But per the company, this is the short-list that should offer availability “soon”:

• Connecticut
• Hawaii
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Mississippi
• Oklahoma
• Territory of Puerto Rico
• Utah

In total, we know that Apple has been in talks with at least 30 states about adopting support for its digital IDs with those listed above having committed to the feature.

Check out our full guide for more details:

• Here’s where you can use your iPhone as your digital driver’s license or ID so far

How Apple digital IDs work

Adding your ID

• iPhone 8 and later with iOS 15.4 required and Apple Watch Series 4 or later with watchOS 8.4 required
• Open the Wallet app on iPhone and tap the + icon in the top right corner
• Choose Driver’s License or State ID
• Currently only for Arizona residents – tap Add to iPhone and Apple Watch or Add to iPhone
• You may be required to log in to your state’s DMV/MVD website to authorize adding your ID to Apple Wallet

Apple notes “To help ensure that the person adding the identity card to Wallet is the same person to whom the identity card belongs, the user will be asked to take a selfie and scan the front and back of their driver’s license or state ID card, which will be securely provided to the issuing state for verification.”

Part of the fraud prevention will include completing “a series of facial and head movements during the setup process.” Apple also highlights that each state is responsible for “verifying and approving the user’s request…”

Where and how are Apple digital IDs accepted?

One of the challenging aspects of all of this is that each state will have its own laws and procedures around how Apple digital IDs can be used and official support will take time.

For now, 6 TSA checkpoints are the only officially supported places to use Apple digital IDs.

ID cards in Wallet are currently available for use at select TSA checkpoints within Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG), Denver International Airport (DEN), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Travelers should refer to checkpoint signage to confirm availability.

via Apple’s fine print

These will work via NFC reader and users won’t have to hand over their devices to TSA staff.

What about law enforcement, banks, retail, etc.?

• Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, and Ohio all say that an Apple Wallet ID is not a replacement for your physical ID and the latter must continued to be carried
• In states with Apple digital IDs, you can try using it and see who will accept it as adoption ramps up

Addressing privacy concerns, the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division says that police officers will not take devices. But that soon, “technology will be available for law enforcement to request permission to access your digital driver’s license from a dedicated law enforcement device.”

This brings up the point that government, businesses, etc. will need to build out formal NFC support to accept Apple’s digital IDs to preserve all of the privacy benefits.

However, it’s unknown if we could see places like wireless carriers, banks, and more accept them for proof of identity by checking it visually – instead of or ahead of accepting it with an official NFC device. There’s really no way to know how that will go or how slow adoption could take.

Getting states to officially adopt digital IDs is a big step for Apple, but expect it to take years for them to become widely accepted as an official form of ID.

Apple digital ID privacy features

As governments and businesses start to adopt official NFC support for Apple digital IDs, here are how the privacy features work:

• Driver’s license and state ID in Wallet presents only the information needed for the interaction
• Users have the opportunity to review and authorize information being requested before it is shared
• Digital IDs are shared through encrypted communication directly between iPhone/Apple Watch and the identity reader (similar to Apple Pay)
• If a device is lost, Find My allows you to remotely lock or erase it
• For supported TSA locations, users do not need to show or hand over their device, just scan it
  • TSA will also capture a picture for verification purposes

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