Yes, you can add your driver's license to your iPhone's Wallet app, but only in certain states and only if your phone and state both support it

Apple's Wallet app lets you store a digital version of your driver's license or state ID on your iPhone or Apple Watch. When you add it, you get a card that looks like your real license and works at TSA checkpoints and some police traffic stops. The catch: your state has to have launched the feature, your phone has to be new enough to run it, and not every situation accepts the digital version yet.

As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah have launched digital driver's licenses in Wallet. More states are working on it, but the rollout is slow. If your state is not on that list, you cannot add your license to Wallet yet, no matter what phone you have.

Key Takeaways

  • Digital driver's licenses work in Wallet on iPhone XS and newer, and on Apple Watch Series 4 and newer, but only if your state has launched the feature.
  • You add your license through the Wallet app by taking a photo of your physical license and answering identity verification questions; the state DMV reviews and approves it.
  • TSA accepts digital licenses at airport security checkpoints in participating states, and some police officers can check them during traffic stops using a special reader.
  • You still need to carry your physical license because not all businesses, police, or situations accept the digital version yet.
  • If your phone dies, is lost, or is stolen, you cannot show your license, so keep your physical card with you as backup.

Which iPhones and Apple Watches can hold a digital license

Your iPhone must be an XS model or newer to store a digital driver's license in Wallet. That includes iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and every model released after that. If you have an iPhone X or older, the feature will not work on your device.

On Apple Watch, you need Series 4 or newer. The digital license syncs to your watch if you have a compatible model paired with your iPhone, so you can show it from your wrist instead of pulling out your phone.

Your phone also has to be running the current version of iOS or watchOS. Apple releases updates regularly, and older phones sometimes cannot run the newest software. Check your phone's settings under General > Software Update to see what version you have and whether an update is available.

How to add your driver's license to Wallet

Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the plus sign in the upper right corner. Select "Driver's License or State ID" from the menu. The app will ask you to take a photo of the front and back of your physical license, so have it ready.

After you photograph both sides, you will answer identity verification questions. These are questions only you should know the answer to — things like your address, date of birth, or details from your license. The state DMV uses these answers to confirm you are the person on the license.

Once you submit, the state reviews your information. This usually takes a few minutes to a few hours, but can take longer if the state needs to verify something. You will get a notification when your digital license is approved and ready to use. Until then, you only see a pending version in your Wallet.

Where TSA and police accept your digital license

The Transportation Security Administration accepts digital driver's licenses at airport security checkpoints in states that have launched the feature. When you reach the ID checkpoint, tell the TSA officer you have a digital license and unlock your phone to show it. The officer scans a barcode on the card, just like they would scan a physical license.

Some police officers can also check your digital license during traffic stops using a special mobile reader. However, this is not universal yet. Many police departments have not adopted the readers, and some states have not authorized officers to use them. If an officer asks for your ID and you only have the digital version, you may still need to provide your physical license if the officer's equipment does not support it.

Businesses like bars, banks, and retailers generally do not accept digital licenses yet. Even if your state has launched the feature, most private businesses still ask for a physical card. Always carry your real license with you.

What happens if your phone dies, is lost, or is stolen

If your battery dies, you cannot show your digital license because the screen is off. Some newer iPhones can display the Wallet app on a locked screen with very low battery, but this is not may provide. If your phone is lost or stolen, your digital license goes with it until you get a new phone and re-add it.

The digital license is tied to your phone's security, so a thief cannot use it without unlocking your device. However, you still lose access to it when ready. This is why you must always carry your physical license as a backup. The digital version is a convenience, not a replacement.

If you lose your phone, contact your state DMV to report it, just as you would if you lost your physical license. The DMV can deactivate the digital version on their end. When you get a new phone, you can re-add your license to Wallet by going through the same process.

Real ID and digital licenses are not the same thing

A Real ID is a physical driver's license or state ID card that meets federal security standards. It has a gold star or other marking in the upper right corner. You need a Real ID to fly domestically or enter federal buildings after May 7, 2025.

A digital driver's license is a copy of your license stored in your phone's Wallet app. It is not the same as Real ID. Your digital license may or may not be a Real ID — it depends on whether your physical license is a Real ID. If your physical license has the gold star, your digital version does too. If it does not, your digital version does not either.

For flying, TSA accepts both Real ID physical licenses and digital licenses from participating states. But if your state has not launched digital licenses yet, you need a physical Real ID to fly. Check your state DMV's website to see whether your state offers digital licenses and whether your current license is already a Real ID.

States that have launched digital driver's licenses

As of now, these states let you add your driver's license to Wallet: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah. Apple and state DMVs continue to roll out the feature to more states, but the process is gradual.

If your state is not on this list, you cannot add your license to Wallet yet. Check your state DMV's website to see whether they have announced a launch date. Some states have said they are working on it but have not given a timeline. Others have not announced plans yet.

Even if your state has launched the feature, you may not be able to add your license right away. Some states roll out access slowly, starting with new license holders or people renewing their licenses. If you try to add your license and the option does not appear, your state may not have opened it to your license type yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my digital license if I do not have my physical license with me?

At TSA checkpoints in participating states, yes. At police traffic stops, it depends on whether the officer has a compatible reader and whether your state has authorized its use. For everything else — bars, banks, stores — you still need your physical license. Carry both until digital licenses become more widely accepted.

What if I upgrade to a new iPhone?

Your digital license is tied to your old phone. When you set up your new iPhone, you can re-add your license to Wallet by going through the same process: open Wallet, tap the plus sign, photograph your physical license, answer verification questions, and wait for approval. It usually takes a few minutes to a few hours.

Does adding my license to Wallet replace my physical license?

No. You still need to carry your physical license because not all situations accept the digital version yet. The digital license is an extra option, not a replacement. Keep your real license in your wallet at all times.

Can I add my license to Wallet if my state has not launched the feature yet?

No. The feature only works in states that have officially launched it. If your state is not on the list, the option will not appear in your Wallet app. Check your state DMV's website to see whether they have announced a launch date.

What if my phone screen is cracked or the Wallet app crashes?

If your screen is cracked but the phone still works and you can unlock it, you can still show your digital license. If the Wallet app crashes, restart your phone and open Wallet again. If you cannot access your digital license for any reason, show your physical license instead. Always have it with you.