The first state to officially roll out Apple’s digital driver’s license and state ID is Arizona, the iPhone maker announced Wednesday. “Starting today, Arizonans can add their driver’s license or state ID to Wallet, and tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to seamlessly and securely present it at select TSA security checkpoints in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport,” Apple announced in a press release.
If you live in Arizona and want to add your license or ID to Wallet, you can do so right from the Wallet app. Take photos of the front and back of your license or ID, and you will “be prompted to complete a series of facial and head movements during the setup process,” according to Apple. Apple is not the one approving requests to add licenses or IDs to Wallet — instead, the company says Arizona will be responsible for that.
If you want to show your digital license or ID to TSA at the airport, here’s what the process looks like, according to Apple:
On their iPhone or Apple Watch, users will be shown which information is requested by the TSA, and can consent to provide it with Face ID or Touch ID, without having to unlock their iPhone or show their ID card. All information is shared digitally, so users do not need to show or hand over their device to present their ID.
According to Apple, during this process, “the TSA will also capture a picture of the traveler for verification purposes.” We’ve asked the TSA for details on where those photos might be stored, how they can ensure they stay private, and if the photos will be deleted after a certain period of time; when we asked Apple, it said it passed our questions to the TSA.
Initially, only travelers using PSA PreCheck at the Phoenix airport will be able to use the feature, according to a TSA press release. And passengers “must continue” to still carry their physical driver’s license or ID and have it available if needed.
Real ID-compliant identification cards will be supported by Wallet, Apple spokesperson Heather Norton tells The Verge. You’ll need one of those to fly domestically beginning in May 2023 (though that deadline has already been pushed a couple of times).
Apple has recently amped up its efforts to make the Wallet app a replacement for your physical wallet, though many of its initiatives have been only available sporadically. The digital licenses / IDs are right now only available “for use in select states at select TSA checkpoints within Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX),” according to Apple’s fine print. Digital hotel keys are available at certain Hyatt hotels. You can add a COVID-19 vaccine card to Wallet only if your healthcare provider or health authority supports the feature.
Apple’s digital car keys are supported by select BMW models, and a list on Apple’s website indicates some Genesis models and one Kia car support the feature too. However, a Kia spokesperson told MacRumors that it would be sharing more information about the feature in “the coming weeks,” so it’s unclear if the feature is fully rolled out just yet.
Apple says additional states will offer the driver’s license and ID feature “soon,” including Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, the territory of Puerto Rico, and Utah.
Update March 23rd, 1:29PM ET: Added information about new cars that support Apple’s digital car keys and additional information from the TSA.