Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah are bringing state IDs and driver’s licenses to Apple Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch.

“The addition of driver’s licenses and state IDs to Apple Wallet is an important step in our vision of replacing the physical wallet with a secure and easy-to-use mobile wallet,” Apple vice president Jennifer Bailey said. “We are excited that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and so many states are already on board to help bring this to life for travelers across the country using only their iPhone and Apple Watch, and we are already in discussions with many more states as we’re working to offer this nationwide in the future.”

According to Apple, users will be able to securely add their driver’s license or state IDs to Apple Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch. And the TSA is opening up “select airport security checkpoints and lanes in participating airports” as the first locations that users will be able to use these digital IDs. The state that issued the ID will need to offer this capability to its residents before they can use it on their iPhone or Apple Watch.

Apple being Apple, it also provided a quick overview of the privacy implications of this addition, including the fact that Apple and the issuing states will not know when or where users present their IDs. This user identity data is encrypted and users can use biometric authentication systems like Face ID and Touch ID to keep it protected.

Apple expects to announce many more states participating in this program in the near future.

Tagged with Apple Wallet