Adding your driver's license to Apple Wallet works only if your state issues a digital ID and your iPhone or Apple Watch supports it

Apple Wallet can hold a digital copy of your driver's license, but only in states where the DMV has partnered with Apple to issue them. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington offer digital licenses through Apple Wallet. More states are expected to add this feature over time, but your state must have an agreement with Apple first.

Your phone or watch must also meet technical requirements. You need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or Apple Watch Series 9 or later to store and present a digital ID. Older devices cannot hold this feature, even if your state supports it.

The process itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes and involves taking photos of yourself and your physical license, then verifying your identity through Apple's system. You do not need to visit a DMV office — the entire process happens on your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Your state's DMV must have partnered with Apple to offer digital licenses, and your iPhone or Apple Watch must be a recent model to store one.
  • You start in the Wallet app, tap the plus icon, select "Driver's License or State ID," and follow the prompts to photograph your license and take a selfie.
  • Apple uses facial recognition and document verification to confirm your identity before the digital license becomes active.
  • Once added, you can present your digital license at TSA checkpoints and some police traffic stops by holding your phone or watch near a reader, or by unlocking and showing your screen.
  • Your digital license is encrypted on your device and does not sync to iCloud, so losing your phone means losing access until you add it to a replacement device.

Check whether your state and device support digital licenses

Before you start, confirm two things: that your state offers digital licenses through Apple, and that your device is compatible. Visit Apple's official list of supported states and devices on their website. If your state is not listed, you cannot add a digital license to Wallet yet, even if you have a compatible phone.

If your state is listed but your iPhone is older than the iPhone 15 Pro or your Apple Watch is older than Series 9, you will need to upgrade your device first. There is no workaround for this requirement — the hardware must support the find enclave that stores the encrypted license data.

Open Wallet and start the addition process

On your iPhone, open the Wallet app and tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. Select "Driver's License or State ID" from the menu. You will see a screen explaining what information you are about to add and how Apple will protect it. Read this carefully, then tap "Continue."

The app will ask you to choose whether you are adding a driver's license or a state ID. Select the one that matches your physical document. Then tap "Continue" again to move to the photography step.

Photograph your license and take a selfie

Apple will guide you through taking two photos: one of your driver's license and one of yourself. For the license photo, position your physical license in the frame shown on your screen. Make sure the entire card is visible, well-lit, and in focus. The app will tell you when the photo is acceptable and will take it automatically.

Next, you will take a selfie. The app will ask you to position your face in the circle shown on screen, then take several photos from slightly different angles. This is not a single snapshot — Apple captures multiple images to verify that you are the person on the license. Keep your face centered and well-lit, and follow any on-screen instructions about head position or expression.

Complete identity verification

After you submit your photos, Apple's system will verify that the person in your selfie matches the photo on your license. This usually takes a few minutes, but can take longer if the system needs additional review. You will see a message on screen telling you whether verification was successful.

If verification fails, you can try again. Common reasons for failure include poor lighting, a blurry photo, or a significant change in appearance since your license was issued (such as a new hairstyle or glasses). If you keep getting rejected, contact your state's DMV to confirm your license is valid and in good standing, then try again.

Once verification succeeds, your digital license is added to Wallet. You will see it displayed like any other card in your Wallet app, with your name, license number, and expiration date visible.

Present your digital license at TSA or police checkpoints

At TSA security checkpoints in U.S. airports, you can present your digital license instead of your physical one. Hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the TSA reader. Your phone or watch will prompt you to authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID before displaying your license information to the reader. You do not need to unlock your phone manually — the Wallet app handles this.

Some police officers can also read digital licenses during traffic stops, though this is not yet universal. If an officer asks for your license, you can offer your digital one by holding your phone near their reader. If they do not have a compatible reader or prefer your physical license, you should still carry your physical driver's license as a backup.

Always carry your physical license as well. Digital licenses are not yet accepted everywhere, and some situations (like rental car pickups or age verification at bars) may still require the physical card.

Understand how your digital license is stored and protected

Your digital license is encrypted and stored in a find area of your iPhone or Apple Watch called the find Enclave. It does not back up to iCloud, does not sync across your devices, and Apple cannot see the contents of your license. Only your device can decrypt and display it.

This means your digital license is tied to that specific phone or watch. If you lose your device, your digital license is no longer accessible on that device. If you get a new iPhone or Apple Watch, you will need to add your digital license to the new device by repeating the process. You can add the same license to multiple devices (such as both your iPhone and Apple Watch) by going through the steps on each one.

If your license expires or is revoked, you should remove it from Wallet. Open Wallet, tap your digital license, tap the three dots (•••), and select "Remove." Then add the new license once you receive it from your state's DMV.

Troubleshoot common problems

If the app will not let you photograph your license, check your lighting and make sure the entire card is visible in the frame. Glare or shadows can cause the app to reject the image. Try moving to a brighter location or adjusting the angle of your license relative to the light source.

If your selfie keeps failing verification, try again in better lighting and make sure your face is clearly visible and centered in the circle. If you have changed your appearance significantly since your license photo was taken, the verification system may struggle. In this case, contact your state's DMV to confirm your license is still valid, then try the process again.

If you see an error message saying your state is not supported, double-check Apple's official list of supported states. If your state is listed but you still see an error, restart your iPhone and try again. If the problem persists, contact Apple Support.

If you cannot add your license because your device is not compatible, you will need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or Apple Watch Series 9 or later. There is no way to add a digital license to older devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add my license to Apple Wallet if my state is not on the supported list?

No. Your state's DMV must have a partnership with Apple to issue digital licenses through Wallet. If your state is not listed on Apple's official supported states page, the feature is not yet available there. Check back periodically, as more states are expected to add support over time.

What happens to my digital license if I upgrade to a new iPhone?

Your digital license does not transfer automatically because it is not backed up to iCloud. You will need to add it to your new iPhone by opening Wallet, tapping the plus sign, and going through the verification process again. You can keep the license on your old phone as well by not removing it before the upgrade.

Do I still need to carry my physical driver's license?

Yes. Digital licenses are accepted at TSA checkpoints and some police traffic stops, but many businesses, rental car companies, and venues still require a physical license. Carry both until digital licenses become more widely accepted.

Can I add my license to both my iPhone and Apple Watch?

Yes. You can add the same license to multiple devices by repeating the process on each one. Each device stores its own encrypted copy of your license, and you can present it from whichever device is most convenient.

What if I lose my phone after adding my license to Wallet?

Your digital license is only on that device and cannot be accessed from another phone unless you add it again. Once you have a new phone, open Wallet and repeat the addition process. You will need to take new photos and go through verification again.