Apple confirms Californians will soon add their driver’s licenses to Apple Wallet
Apple just confirmed that Californians will soon be able to add their driver’s licenses and ID cards to Apple Wallet, allowing them to show those IDs with an iPhone or Apple Watch.
When we reported on the matter about ten days ago, the information about the pilot program was not confirmed by the Cupertino giant.
We’re excited to partner with the State of California to soon bring IDs in Apple Wallet to Apple’s home state, giving residents a simple, secure, and confidential way to present their California driver’s license and ID card in person and in the app using Apple Wallet. Whether you’re using IDs in Apple Wallet to quickly travel around the world or to securely verify age or identity at businesses, California driver’s licenses and ID cards in Apple Wallet make ID presentation seamless—all with the security built into iPhone and Apple Watch.
– Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet
Users with an ID in Apple Wallet can use their iPhone or Apple Watch to present their ID in person at select TSA security checkpoints and businesses, and in select apps, to verify their age or identity.
Apple Wallet leverages the privacy and security features of iPhone and Apple Watch to protect a user’s identity and personal information. When adding an ID to Apple Wallet, the government issuing authority receives only the information needed to approve or deny the addition of the driver’s license or ID card.
When you present an ID in Apple Wallet, only the information needed for the transaction is shown. Users must verify and authorize the information with Face ID or Touch ID before sharing. Users do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to present their ID.
A user’s ID information is encrypted and stored solely on their device, ensuring that others, including Apple, cannot access it unless the user presents it. Apple and the government issuing authority do not have access to details about when, where, or to whom a user presents their driver’s license or ID card, and Apple does not see or store any presentation information associated with a user. If a user loses their iPhone or Apple Watch, they can use the Find My app to lock or remotely wipe their device.
ID cards are currently available in Apple Wallet in five additional states: Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia, and most recently Ohio.
