What Adding Your License to Apple Wallet Means
Adding your driver license to Apple Wallet stores a digital copy on your iPhone or Apple Watch that you can show to police during a traffic stop or to verify your identity in person. It is not a replacement for your physical license — you still carry the card — but it gives you another way to prove who you are without handing over your actual ID.
Apple Wallet uses encryption to protect the information on your digital license. When you show it to an officer or business, they scan a code on your phone's screen, and only the information you approve gets shared. Your location, phone number, and other details stay private unless you choose to reveal them.
Not every state offers this yet. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming have launched digital driver licenses in Apple Wallet. More states are rolling out the feature throughout 2024 and 2025.
Key Takeaways
- You add your driver license to Apple Wallet through the Wallet app on your iPhone or Apple Watch, and the process takes about five minutes if your state offers it.
- Your digital license works only on Apple devices; Android users cannot use this feature yet, though Google is developing a similar system.
- You must have a valid, non-REAL ID driver license or state ID to add it to Wallet, and some states require you to renew your physical card first.
- Police and TSA agents at airport security can scan your digital license, but not all businesses accept it yet — always carry your physical card as backup.
- If your phone is lost, stolen, or runs out of battery, you lose access to your digital license until you recover the device or charge it.
Which States Let You Add Your License to Apple Wallet
The states listed above have launched digital driver licenses in Apple Wallet. To check whether your state is one of them, open the Wallet app on your iPhone, tap the plus sign in the upper right corner, and look for "Driver's License or State ID" as an option. If you do not see it, your state has not yet rolled out the feature.
Even if your state is on the list, you may not be able to add your license right away. Some states require you to renew your physical driver license first, or they may have launched the feature only for certain age groups or license types. The Wallet app will tell you if you are not yet may be able to access.
If your state does not offer digital licenses yet, you can still use your physical driver license everywhere. There is no penalty for waiting, and the feature will become available to you once your state launches it.
How to Add Your License Step by Step
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or Apple Watch. Tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. Select "Driver's License or State ID" from the menu. Choose your state from the list.
The app will ask you to take a photo of the front and back of your physical driver license. Make sure the card is well-lit and fully visible in the frame. You will also need to take a selfie so Apple can verify your identity. The app uses facial recognition to confirm that you are the person on the license.
Next, you will answer security questions based on information from your driver license record — questions like your address, license number, or issue date. These questions confirm that you are the legitimate owner of the license. Once you pass this step, your digital license appears in Wallet and is ready to use.
The entire process usually takes five to ten minutes. Your phone must have an internet connection, and you need to be in a location where you can take clear photos and a selfie.
How to Show Your Digital License to Police or TSA
When a police officer or TSA agent asks for your ID, unlock your iPhone and open Wallet. Tap your driver license. The app will display your license on the screen with a code that the officer or agent can scan with their device.
You control what information appears. By default, the digital license shows your name, photo, license number, and expiration date. If the officer needs your address or date of birth, you can swipe to reveal more details, or they can request it and you decide whether to show it.
TSA agents at airport security can scan your digital license just as they would your physical card. Some police departments have begun accepting digital licenses during traffic stops, but not all have the equipment yet. If an officer cannot scan your phone, show your physical license instead. You are never required to use the digital version.
What Happens If Your Phone Dies or Gets Lost
If your iPhone battery runs out, you cannot access your digital license until you charge it. This is why you should always carry your physical driver license with you. The digital version is a convenience, not a replacement.
If your phone is lost or stolen, your digital license is locked behind your iPhone's security. An Apple Watch with your license is also protected by its own passcode. To remove your license from a lost device, you can use Find My iPhone to erase the device remotely, which will delete the license along with everything else on the phone.
Once you have a new phone, you can add your license to Wallet again using the same process. Apple does not charge you to re-add it, and your state's system will recognize that you are the same person.
Differences Between Digital Licenses and REAL ID
A digital driver license is a copy of your existing license stored on your phone. A REAL ID is a federal security standard that your physical driver license or state ID must meet. The two are separate things.
Your physical driver license must be REAL ID-compliant to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. Your digital license in Apple Wallet does not replace this requirement. You still need a REAL ID-compliant physical card, a passport, or another approved federal ID to fly.
However, TSA agents can scan your digital license at airport security if it is linked to a REAL ID-compliant physical license in your state's system. The digital version does not make your license REAL ID-compliant if it is not already — it just gives you another way to show the ID you already have.
Businesses That Accept Digital Licenses
Most retail stores, bars, and restaurants do not yet accept digital licenses. Many businesses are still unfamiliar with the feature, and their staff may not know how to handle a phone-based ID. Always carry your physical license when you go out.
Some states have begun working with specific businesses — grocery stores, pharmacies, and entertainment venues — to accept digital licenses. Check your state's DMV website to see if any businesses near you have signed on. As the feature becomes more common, more businesses will likely begin accepting it.
For now, the safest approach is to treat your digital license as a backup for situations where you have your phone but not your wallet, or as a way to show ID to police and TSA without handing over your physical card.
Android and Other Devices
Apple Wallet works only on iPhones and Apple Watches. If you use an Android phone, you cannot add your driver license to Apple Wallet. Google is developing a similar feature called Google Wallet that will work on Android devices, but it is not yet available in most states.
Some states are testing Google Wallet with Android users, but the rollout is slower than Apple's. If you own both an iPhone and an Android phone, you can add your license to Apple Wallet on the iPhone, but you will need to carry your physical license when using the Android device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my digital license if my phone is locked?
No. You must unlock your iPhone first, then open Wallet and tap your license. This is a security feature to prevent someone else from using your ID if they steal your phone. If your phone is locked and you cannot unlock it, you cannot show your digital license.
What if the officer's scanner does not work with my digital license?
Show your physical driver license instead. Not all police departments have equipment that scans digital licenses yet. You are never required to use the digital version, and officers are trained to accept physical IDs.
Does adding my license to Apple Wallet cost money?
No. Adding your license to Wallet is free. Your state does not charge you, and Apple does not charge you. You only pay if you need to renew your physical driver license through your state's DMV.
Can I add someone else's license to my phone?
No. The Wallet app requires you to take a selfie and answer security questions to prove you are the license owner. You can only add your own license to your own phone.
What if my state is not on the list yet?
Check your state's DMV website for updates on when digital licenses will launch. In the meantime, your physical driver license works everywhere. There is no rush to switch to digital — the feature will become available when your state rolls it out.