LOS ANGELES – To make everyday life even more convenient for Californians, Google Wallet will offer Android users in the state the option to store their driver’s license or ID card starting Friday.

California residents participating in the Mobile Driver License (mDL) pilot program can now conveniently store their digital driver’s license on their smartphones, making California one of the first states to offer this feature, with updates on availability for Apple Wallet users to follow shortly thereafter.

“It has never been easier to have a digital driver’s license and identification card in California. The state continues to work to provide greater convenience to those who choose the mobile driver’s license program, now with the option to use Google Wallet,” said Governor Gavin Newsom, emphasizing the commitment to streamline digital services for Californians.

Since the pilot project started in 2023, over half a million participants have already added their mDL to their smartphones. The aim is to simplify identification processes and increase the acceptance of digital documents.

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“Having an mDL in your smartphone wallet is a tremendous convenience for Californians,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon, citing ongoing efforts to expand the use of digital driver’s licenses and IDs.

By working with Google Wallet, users will be able to present their digital identity at TSA checkpoints in select airports, marking a step toward integrating digital solutions into everyday activities. “By bringing this feature to Android users in California, we’re excited to give people another way to make their day go smoothly,” said Jenny Cheng, vice president and general manager of Google Wallet, about the value of such a digital convenience.

Users who want to access this feature must have an Android smartphone running Android 9.0 or higher. The security of the digital ID is a priority, as the stored IDs are encrypted and personal information such as names and addresses are only transmitted with the user’s explicit consent.

To further discuss the security aspect, sharing information from Google Wallet requires user authentication on the device, giving users control over what data they want to provide. In case a phone is stolen, the ID remains safe in Google Wallet and users can remotely delete their ID via myaccount.google.com as well as contact the DMV to remove the digital ID.

To add an ID to Google Wallet, residents simply need to open the app, tap “Add to Wallet,” select “ID,” choose their state, then verify their ID/driver’s license in a guided process. Once the state approves, the ID will be available in the app.

“We are grateful that over half a million Californians are participating in the mDL pilot,” said Liana Bailey-Crimmins, chief information officer and director of the State of California Department of Technology, emphasizing the state’s commitment to using cutting-edge technologies to improve citizens’ experiences with government services.

Although the mDL provides an additional convenience, California residents must still carry their physical card when driving, as the digital alternative does not yet replace the requirement for a physical ID in all cases. The ongoing pilot and future expansions under the Digital ID Framework will secure and facilitate identity verification processes for Californians.