Yes, but only if your state has released a digital ID version
You can store a digital driver's license in Apple Wallet on your iPhone or Apple Watch, but only if your state has made that option available. As of now, only a handful of states have released digital IDs that work with Apple Wallet. If your state has not yet launched its program, you cannot add your license to the app yet — even though the technology exists and Apple is ready to accept it.
The states currently offering digital driver's licenses through Apple Wallet are Arizona, Georgia, and Mississippi. Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, and Rhode Island have announced plans to launch their programs, but they are not yet live. Before you try to add your license, check whether your state appears on Apple's official list of participating states.
A digital ID in Apple Wallet is not the same as a photo or screenshot of your physical license. It is an official, encrypted version of your license data that you can present to TSA agents at airport security or to police officers during a traffic stop. The state issues it directly to your phone, and it works only on Apple devices.
Key Takeaways
- Only Arizona, Georgia, and Mississippi currently offer digital driver's licenses through Apple Wallet; other states are still developing their programs.
- A digital ID in Apple Wallet is an official, encrypted document issued by your state — not a screenshot or photo of your physical license.
- You can present your digital ID to TSA agents at airport security and to law enforcement during traffic stops in states where the program is active.
- You still need to carry your physical driver's license because not all businesses, agencies, and officers accept digital IDs yet.
- Setting up a digital ID requires you to verify your identity through your phone's camera and answer security questions.
How to add your digital driver's license to Apple Wallet
The process starts in the Wallet app on your iPhone. Open Wallet, tap the plus sign in the upper right corner, and select "Driver's License or State ID." Your phone will ask you to choose your state from a list — but you will only see states that have launched their digital ID programs.
Once you select your state, you will be guided through an identity verification process. You will need to take a photo of the front and back of your physical driver's license using your phone's camera. The app will also ask you to take a selfie so it can confirm that the person on the license is you. After that, you will answer security questions to prove your identity — typically questions about your address history, previous addresses, or other personal details that only you would know.
Your state's DMV will review your information and either approve or deny your request. If approved, your digital ID will appear in Apple Wallet within a few days. You can then use it at TSA checkpoints and during police stops in your state.
Where you can use your digital driver's license
Right now, the main place you can use a digital ID from Apple Wallet is at TSA security checkpoints at airports. TSA agents in participating states can scan your digital ID the same way they scan a physical license. You straightforward hold your phone up to the TSA reader, and the agent can verify your identity without touching your device or seeing any information beyond what is necessary for the security check.
Some police departments in participating states also accept digital IDs during traffic stops, though this is still rolling out and not universal. Even if your state has launched its digital ID program, not every officer may be equipped to read it yet. For this reason, you should still carry your physical license when you drive.
Businesses like bars, banks, and retailers do not yet accept digital IDs from Apple Wallet in most cases. If you need to show ID to buy age-restricted items or open an account, bring your physical license. The digital ID is designed for government use first — airport security and law enforcement — and consumer-facing businesses will take longer to adopt the technology.
The difference between a digital ID and a screenshot
A digital driver's license in Apple Wallet is fundamentally different from taking a screenshot of your physical license or storing a photo of it in your phone. A screenshot is just an image — anyone can make one, and it has no official status. A digital ID is an encrypted document issued directly by your state's DMV, and it contains security features that prevent fraud.
When you present a digital ID to a TSA agent or police officer, they can verify that it is real and that it belongs to you. When you show a screenshot, they cannot. Screenshots are not accepted as proof of identity by any government agency. If you are tempted to use a screenshot because your state has not yet launched its digital ID program, do not — stick with your physical license instead.
What happens if your phone is lost or stolen
Your digital ID is protected by the same security features that protect everything else on your iPhone: Face ID or Touch ID. If someone steals your phone, they cannot access your digital ID without unlocking it first. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can remove your digital ID from Apple Wallet by signing into iCloud.com and using Find My iPhone to erase your device remotely.
Once you erase your phone, your digital ID is gone from that device. You can then add it back to a new phone by going through the verification process again. Your state's DMV will recognize that you are re-adding the same license and will approve it quickly — usually within minutes or hours, not days.
When your state's digital ID program launches
If your state has announced a digital ID program but has not launched it yet, you cannot add your license to Apple Wallet today. Check your state's DMV website for updates on when the program will go live. Most states that have announced programs are targeting launch dates within the next year or two, but timelines vary.
When your state does launch, you will see a notification in Apple Wallet inviting you to add your license. You can also check the Wallet app directly — if your state appears in the list when you tap the plus sign, the program is live. Until then, your physical driver's license remains your only official form of ID.
Why you still need your physical license
Even if you live in a state with a digital ID program and have added your license to Apple Wallet, you should still carry your physical license. Not every officer, agent, or business is equipped to read a digital ID yet. Some police departments have not received the technology to scan them. Many retailers and banks do not accept them. Your phone could also run out of battery, leaving you with no ID at all.
Think of your digital ID as an additional option, not a replacement. It is useful at airports and in some law enforcement situations, but it does not eliminate the need for your physical license. Carry both until digital IDs become universal — which will take several more years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a digital ID from Apple Wallet at a bar or to buy alcohol?
Not yet. Most bars and liquor stores do not have the technology to read digital IDs from Apple Wallet. You will need to show your physical driver's license. As digital ID adoption grows, some businesses may eventually accept them, but this is not standard practice today.
What if my state has not launched a digital ID program yet?
You cannot add your license to Apple Wallet until your state releases its program. Check your state's DMV website for announcements about when digital IDs will become available. In the meantime, your physical license is your only option.
Can I use a digital ID from Apple Wallet on an Android phone?
No. Digital IDs in Apple Wallet work only on iPhones and Apple Watches. Android users cannot store digital driver's licenses in Google Wallet yet, though Google has announced plans to support them in the future. If you use an Android phone, you will need to carry your physical license.
Do I need to do anything special to use my digital ID at the airport?
No. When you reach the TSA checkpoint, straightforward unlock your iPhone, open Apple Wallet, and tap your digital ID. Hold your phone up to the TSA reader, and the agent will scan it. You do not need to take any extra steps — the process is similar to scanning a physical license.
What if I lose my phone after adding my digital ID?
Use Find My iPhone on iCloud.com to erase your phone remotely, which will remove your digital ID. Then add your license to a new phone by going through the verification process again. Your state's DMV will recognize the re-addition and approve it quickly.