How to Add Your Driver's License to Apple Wallet

What Apple Wallet does with your driver's license

Apple Wallet is the digital storage app built into iPhones and Apple Watches. When you add your driver's license to it, you carry a digital copy of your ID on your phone instead of (or alongside) your physical card. You can show this digital license at certain checkpoints — currently, some TSA airport security lanes and a growing number of state patrol traffic stops.

The digital license is encrypted on your device. Apple does not store it on their servers, and you control exactly when and to whom you show it. When you present it, the person checking your ID scans a code on your phone's screen; they see only the information you choose to share, not your full license data.

This is different from a screenshot or a photo of your license. The digital version in Apple Wallet uses security features that make it harder to forge or misuse than a picture would be.

Key Takeaways

You need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or newer to add a driver's license to Apple Wallet; older iPhones cannot store digital IDs.
Your state must have made its driver's license compatible with Apple Wallet — not all states have done this yet, and the list is growing.
The setup process takes about 10 minutes and requires your physical license, a photo of yourself, and your phone's camera.
You can use your digital license at TSA checkpoints and some police traffic stops, but you will still need your physical license for many situations, including getting pulled over in states that do not yet support digital IDs.

Which states support Apple Wallet driver's licenses right now

As of early 2025, the following states have made their driver's licenses compatible with Apple Wallet: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

More states are expected to add support throughout 2025 and beyond. If your state is not on this list, you cannot yet add your license to Apple Wallet, even if you have a compatible phone. Check your state's DMV website or Apple's support page to see if your state has announced plans to join the program.

Even if your state supports digital licenses, your specific license type may not be compatible yet. For example, some states allow only standard driver's licenses but not commercial licenses or ID cards. Your state's DMV website will tell you which documents you can add.

What phone you need to store a digital license

You must have an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max to add a driver's license to Apple Wallet. Earlier iPhone models, including the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, do not have the security hardware required to store digital IDs safely.

You can also view and present a digital license from an Apple Watch Series 9 or later, but only if you have already added it to your iPhone first. The watch becomes a second way to show your ID — you still need the iPhone to set it up.

If you have an older iPhone, you cannot use this feature. There is no way to add a driver's license to Apple Wallet on iPhone 14, iPhone 13, or any earlier model.

How to add your driver's license step by step

Start by opening the Wallet app on your iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max. Tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. Scroll down and tap "Driver's License or State ID." Choose your state from the list.

You will be asked to take a photo of the front of your physical license and a photo of the back. Hold your license flat under good lighting and follow the on-screen instructions. The camera will guide you to position the card correctly. After that, you will take a selfie — a photo of your face. This is used to verify that you are the person on the license.

Next, you will answer security questions about your license and personal information. These questions are based on data from your state's DMV records and are designed to confirm your identity. Answer honestly and carefully; incorrect answers will stop the process.

Once you pass the identity verification, your state's DMV will review your request. This usually takes a few minutes, but can take up to 24 hours. You will receive a notification when your digital license is ready to use. At that point, it will appear in your Wallet app alongside any credit cards or transit passes you have stored there.

Where you can actually use your digital license

TSA airport security is the most common place to use a digital license right now. At participating airports, you can show your digital ID at the security checkpoint instead of your physical license. The TSA agent will scan the code on your phone's screen. Not every airport has TSA readers yet, so call ahead or check the TSA website to confirm your airport supports digital IDs.

Some state police and local law enforcement have also begun accepting digital licenses during traffic stops. However, this is not yet standard practice everywhere. If you are pulled over, it is safest to have your physical license ready. If an officer asks to see your ID and you offer your phone instead, they may not accept it — the decision is up to them and their department's policy.

You cannot use a digital license at the DMV, when renting a car, at bars or restaurants checking your age, or for most other everyday situations. For now, treat your digital license as an additional option, not a replacement for your physical card. Keep your physical license with you at all times.

How Apple Wallet protects your digital license information

Your digital license is stored on your phone using the same encryption that protects your credit card information in Apple Wallet. The data never goes to Apple's servers — it stays on your device only. If you lose your phone, your digital license is not accessible to whoever finds it because it is locked behind your phone's Face ID or passcode.

When you show your digital license to someone, you control what they see. You can choose to show only the information needed for that moment — for example, at an airport, you might show only your name and date of birth, not your address. The person scanning your ID cannot access any information you do not choose to share.

If your phone is stolen or lost, you can remove your digital license from that device using Find My iPhone. You can then add it to a new phone once you get one. Your state's DMV does not need to issue you a new physical license.

What happens if you lose your phone or get a new one

If your phone is lost or stolen, use Find My iPhone (on another Apple device or at iCloud.com) to remotely erase your device. This will remove your digital license from that phone. The license is not gone forever — it is still associated with your identity in your state's system.

When you get a new iPhone 15 Pro or later, open Wallet and start the process to add your driver's license again. You will go through the same steps: photos of your license, a selfie, and security questions. Your state's DMV will recognize that you are re-adding a license you already have on file, and the process should be faster the second time.

You do not need to contact your state's DMV or request a new physical license. The digital version is tied to your identity, not to a specific phone.

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 unlocked to show your digital license. If your battery is dead, you cannot present it. This is why you should always carry your physical license as a backup. At airports, TSA agents will accept your physical license if your phone is not working.

What if my state is not on the list yet?

You will have to wait until your state's DMV joins the program. Check your state's DMV website periodically for announcements. In the meantime, you can only use your physical license. There is no way to add a license from an unsupported state to Apple Wallet.

Can someone else use my digital license if they have my phone?

Not easily. Your digital license is locked behind your phone's Face ID or passcode. Even if someone unlocks your phone, they would need to open Wallet and present it — and the person checking the ID would see that the face on the screen does not match theirs. Using someone else's digital license as your own would be fraud.

Do I need to carry my physical license if I have a digital one?

Yes. Your digital license works at TSA checkpoints and some police traffic stops, but most places still require a physical card. Bars, rental car companies, banks, and most other businesses do not yet accept digital IDs. Keep your physical license with you.

What if I need to renew my license — do I have to remove the digital version?

When you renew your physical license, your digital license will automatically update in Apple Wallet. You do not need to remove it or re-add it. Your state's DMV handles the update on their end, and it will appear on your phone within a few days of your renewal being processed.

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.