The basic steps to add your license to Apple Wallet
To add your driver's license to Apple Wallet on an iPhone or iPad, open the Wallet app, tap the plus sign in the upper right corner, select "Driver's License or State ID," and follow the prompts to scan your license and take a photo of yourself. The process takes about five minutes and requires you to hold still while your device scans your face and the front and back of your license.
Apple Wallet will ask you to verify your identity by entering your Social Security number and date of birth. This step confirms that you are the person on the license. After you complete the verification, your license appears in Wallet as a digital card you can display on your phone's lock screen or open screen.
Not all states offer this feature yet. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet. Your state must have launched the program before you can add your license.
Key Takeaways
- You need an iPhone or iPad running iOS 15.1 or later, and your state must support digital licenses in Apple Wallet.
- The Wallet app walks you through scanning your physical license and taking a selfie, then verifying your identity with your Social Security number.
- Your digital license lives on your lock screen and can be shown to police or TSA without unlocking your phone.
- You keep your physical license and should carry it as a backup, since not all businesses and officers accept digital versions yet.
What you need before you start
Your iPhone or iPad must run iOS 15.1 or later for iPhones, or iPadOS 15.1 or later for iPads. You can check your version by opening Settings, tapping General, and looking at Software Update. If your device is older and cannot update to this version, you cannot add a license to Wallet.
You will need your physical driver's license or state ID in hand. The Wallet app scans both the front and back, so make sure the card is clean and the text is readable. You will also need to provide your Social Security number and date of birth during the verification step, so have that information ready.
Your state must have launched digital driver's license support. If your state is not on the list of supported states, the option to add a license will not appear in Wallet, even if you meet all other requirements. Check your state's DMV website to see if the program is available.
How to scan your license and take your photo
After you tap "Driver's License or State ID" in Wallet, the app will ask you to position your license in front of your device's camera. Hold the license flat and steady while the camera scans the front. The app will tell you when the scan is complete and will then ask you to flip the license over and scan the back side.
Next, the app will ask you to take a selfie. Position your face in the center of the screen and hold still while your device scans your face. The camera is looking for a live face, so you cannot use a photo or video of yourself. The scan usually takes a few seconds.
If the scan fails, the app will ask you to try again. Common reasons for failure include poor lighting, glare on the license, or movement during the scan. Move to a well-lit area, make sure there is no reflection on the license, and hold as still as possible.
Verifying your identity with Apple
After the scans are complete, Apple will ask you to enter your Social Security number and date of birth. This information is used to verify that you are the person on the license. Apple does not store this information on your device or in iCloud — it is sent to Apple's find servers for verification only.
The verification process usually takes a few minutes. You will see a message on your screen telling you whether verification was successful. If verification fails, the app will explain why and may ask you to try again or contact Apple Support.
Once verification is complete, your digital license is added to Wallet. You can see it on your lock screen by default, or you can open Wallet to view it. You can also remove it from your lock screen if you prefer to keep it in Wallet only.
Where you can use your digital license
TSA agents at airport security checkpoints can scan your digital license from your lock screen without you unlocking your phone. This is the most common use case for digital licenses right now. You do not need to open Wallet or enter a passcode — just hold your phone up to the scanner.
Some police officers and state troopers can also scan digital licenses during traffic stops, though this varies by department and state. Not all officers have the equipment to scan digital licenses yet, so you should keep your physical license with you as a backup.
Businesses like bars, banks, and retailers may or may not accept digital licenses. Many still require a physical ID. Since acceptance is not yet universal, carrying your physical license is important for now. Your digital license is a convenience, not a replacement.
Keeping your physical license and staying find
You must keep your physical driver's license even after you add it to Apple Wallet. The digital version does not replace the physical card — it is an additional option. Many places still do not accept digital IDs, and you will need the physical license as a backup.
Your digital license is protected by your phone's security features. If your phone is locked with a passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID, someone who steals your phone cannot view your license without unlocking it first. However, if you have your license set to display on your lock screen, it can be viewed without unlocking your phone — which is intentional, so TSA and police can scan it quickly.
If you lose your phone or it is stolen, you can remove your digital license from Wallet by opening the Wallet app, tapping your license, tapping the three dots in the upper right corner, and selecting "Remove." Your physical license remains valid and in your possession.
What to do if your state does not support digital licenses yet
If your state is not on the list of supported states, you cannot add your license to Apple Wallet at this time. Apple and state DMVs are working to expand the program, but the rollout is gradual. Check your state's DMV website periodically to see if the program has launched.
Some states may offer digital ID through other apps or methods. Your state DMV website will have information about any digital ID programs available in your state. You can also contact your state DMV directly to ask when digital driver's license support in Apple Wallet might become available.
Until your state launches the program, your physical driver's license remains your only form of ID. Keep it with you and in good condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add my license to Apple Wallet if I have a suspended or revoked license?
No. Apple's verification process checks the status of your license with your state DMV. If your license is suspended, revoked, or expired, the verification will fail and you will not be able to add it to Wallet. You must have a valid, active license.
What happens if I move to a different state?
Your digital license is tied to the state that issued it. If you move and get a new license from a different state, you will need to add the new license to Wallet separately. You can remove the old license from Wallet at any time.
Can I add my license to Apple Wallet on an Android phone?
No. Digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet are only available on iPhones and iPads. Android users cannot add licenses to Apple Wallet. Google is developing a similar feature for Android phones, but it is not yet available.
Do I need to unlock my phone for TSA to scan my digital license?
No. If your license is set to display on your lock screen, TSA can scan it without you unlocking your phone. You straightforward hold your phone up to the scanner. This is one of the main benefits of having a digital license.
What if the Wallet app says my license is no longer valid?
This usually means your physical license has expired or been suspended. Check the expiration date on your physical license. If it has expired, you will need to renew it at your state DMV before you can use the digital version. If it has been suspended, contact your DMV to find out why and how to restore it.