Starting Thursday, California residents can store their driver’s licenses and state IDs digitally in Apple Wallet apps on their iPhones and Apple Watches. This latest development follows last month’s introduction of digital IDs through Google Wallet.
“We’re working to better serve the people of California in the 21st century,” Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the program’s goal to enhance public service. This initiative is part of California’s mobile driver’s license pilot program, which is currently limited to 1.5 million participants.
To add their license to Apple Wallet, users can tap the plus button, select “Driver’s License or State ID,” and follow on-screen instructions. The process involves scanning the physical ID and taking a selfie for verification. Google Wallet users can follow a similar procedure by selecting “Add to Wallet” and then “ID card.”
While this digital option offers convenience, its practical use is currently limited. Only two airport terminals in the country – at Los Angeles and San Francisco International Airports – accept these digital IDs for TSA checks. Additionally, just six convenience stores statewide allow age-restricted purchases using the mobile license.
Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, highlighted the security aspects: “This represents a significant step in replacing the physical wallet with a more secure and private digital wallet.” The system encrypts information on the user’s device, limiting access and data sharing.
Despite these advancements, privacy advocates, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, have raised concerns about potential data misuse by retailers and other entities.
California joins several other states, including Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, and Ohio, in adopting digital IDs. According to the Secure Technology Alliance, over 20 states are exploring similar initiatives, indicating a broader shift towards digital identification methods across the United States.
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