Apple Wallet digital IDs are available in 11 states and Washington, D.C., with more expected to launch in 2025

As of early 2025, you can add your driver's license or state ID to Apple Wallet in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. Each state rolled out the feature on its own timeline, and the list continues to grow. Apple has announced that additional states will support digital IDs throughout 2025, though no firm dates have been set for most of them.

The states that currently support Apple Wallet digital IDs have worked directly with Apple to build the technology into their driver's license systems. This means your state's DMV had to update its infrastructure and verify that Apple's security standards met state requirements. Not every state has completed this work yet, which is why availability remains limited.

If your state is not yet on the list, you can still use your physical driver's license everywhere. A digital ID in Apple Wallet is a convenience option, not a requirement. Your state's DMV website will announce when digital ID support launches in your state.

Key Takeaways

  • Eleven states plus Washington, D.C. currently allow you to add your driver's license to Apple Wallet, with more states expected to launch the feature throughout 2025.
  • Your state's DMV must build the digital ID system into its own infrastructure, which is why rollout happens gradually rather than all at once.
  • A digital ID in Apple Wallet works at TSA checkpoints, some retail locations, and age-verification situations, but your physical license remains valid everywhere.
  • You can check your state's DMV website to find out when digital ID support will arrive in your state.

How to add your license to Apple Wallet if your state supports it

The process is straightforward if your state is on the supported list. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad, tap the plus sign, select "Driver's License or State ID," and follow the prompts. You will need to take a photo of the front and back of your physical license, then take a selfie. Apple uses facial recognition to verify that the photo on your license matches your face.

After you submit your information, your state's DMV verifies it against their records. This verification step usually takes a few minutes, though it can take longer during peak times. Once approved, your digital ID appears in Wallet and is ready to use. You can add your license to Apple Watch as well, which lets you show your ID without taking out your phone.

Your digital ID in Apple Wallet is encrypted and stored on your device. Apple does not see your license information, and neither does any merchant or TSA agent you show it to — they only see what you choose to reveal. You can delete the digital ID from Wallet at any time, and your physical license continues to work normally.

Where you can use your Apple Wallet digital ID

TSA checkpoints are the primary place where digital IDs work. At participating airports, you can show your Apple Wallet ID at security instead of your physical license. The TSA agent scans a code on your digital ID, and the system verifies it the same way it would verify a physical license. Not every airport has TSA readers installed yet, so you may still need your physical license as a backup.

Some retail locations accept Apple Wallet IDs for age verification when you buy alcohol or tobacco. This varies by store and by state — a store in one state may accept digital IDs while a store in another state does not. If a retailer does not have a reader, your physical license still works.

Your digital ID does not replace your physical license for driving. You must carry your physical license when you drive. Digital IDs are for situations where you need to prove your identity or age without handing over your physical card.

States expected to add Apple Wallet support in 2025

Apple has announced that more states will launch digital ID support in 2025, but the company has not published a specific schedule. States that have publicly committed to the feature include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. However, "2025" is a wide window, and some states may not launch until late in the year.

The delay between announcement and launch happens because each state must complete security audits, update its DMV systems, and test the integration with Apple's servers. A state that announces support in January might not launch until September. Your state's DMV website is the most reliable source for a launch date in your state.

What to do if your state does not support Apple Wallet yet

Your physical driver's license works everywhere, and there is no timeline pressure to switch to a digital ID. You can continue using your physical license at TSA checkpoints, retail stores, and any other location that requires ID. A digital ID is a convenience option, not a necessity.

If you want to know when your state will support Apple Wallet, check your state's DMV website or social media accounts. Many states announce the launch date several weeks in advance. You can also contact your state's DMV directly — they can tell you whether digital ID support is in development and when it might arrive.

Some states may never add Apple Wallet support, or they may support other digital ID platforms instead. Your physical license will always be valid, so you do not need to wait for digital ID technology to become available in your state.

How Apple Wallet digital IDs differ from Real ID

A Real ID is a federal standard for physical driver's licenses and state IDs. It requires your state's DMV to verify your identity documents more thoroughly than a standard license requires. Real ID licenses have a gold star in the upper right corner and are required for domestic air travel starting in 2025.

An Apple Wallet digital ID is separate from Real ID status. Your physical license can be a Real ID, a standard license, or a state ID — and any of those can be added to Apple Wallet if your state supports it. Real ID is about the physical card; Apple Wallet is about having a digital copy on your phone. You need a Real ID physical license to fly domestically, but a digital ID in Apple Wallet does not replace that requirement.

If your state supports Apple Wallet, you can add either a Real ID license or a standard license to your phone. The digital version works the same way regardless of which type of physical license you have.

Security and privacy with Apple Wallet digital IDs

Apple Wallet digital IDs use encryption and biometric authentication to protect your information. When you add your license to Wallet, Apple stores the data on your phone, not on Apple's servers. Your face ID or Touch ID is required to show your digital ID, which means someone who steals your phone cannot use your ID without unlocking it first.

When you show your digital ID to a TSA agent or retailer, they see only the information you choose to reveal. For example, at a store checking your age, the reader sees your date of birth and photo but not your address or license number. You have control over what information is shared in each transaction.

Your state's DMV verifies your identity when you first add your license to Wallet, but they do not monitor how often you use it or where you use it. Apple does not track your transactions. Your digital ID is as private as your physical license, with the added benefit that you do not have to hand over your card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Apple Wallet ID if I have a suspended license?

No. Your digital ID reflects the status of your physical license. If your license is suspended, your digital ID will not work at TSA checkpoints or retail locations. You must resolve the suspension with your state's DMV before your digital ID becomes active again.

What happens if I lose my phone?

Your digital ID is encrypted on your device and cannot be used without Face ID or Touch ID. If you lose your phone, you can remove the digital ID from your account through iCloud, or you can straightforward use your physical license until you get a new phone. Your physical license remains valid and unaffected.

Do I need a Real ID to add my license to Apple Wallet?

No. You can add a standard driver's license or state ID to Apple Wallet if your state supports the feature. Real ID status is separate from digital ID support. Some states may require Real ID for certain uses of the digital ID, but most do not.

Can I use my Apple Wallet ID at the DMV or for law enforcement?

Digital IDs in Apple Wallet are designed for TSA checkpoints and retail age verification. Law enforcement and DMV offices typically require your physical license. Always carry your physical license when driving or when you might need to show ID to police.

What if my state is not on the list yet?

Your physical license works everywhere. Check your state's DMV website for updates on when digital ID support might launch. You can continue using your physical license indefinitely — there is no important date to switch to a digital ID.