You Can Use Your iPhone As an ID in These States

7 hours ago 2

image of apple wallet app on iphone

Credit: FellowNeko/Shutterstock


Why do I still carry a wallet? My iPhone can handle just about anything you used to need a traditional wallet for. Most (if not all) of my purchases are made via Apple Pay or QR code, my phone holds all of my pictures, and most of my receipts go straight to my email. Basically the only I keep my wallet around is to carry my ID. Once my state starts supporting Apple’s digital ID feature, however, things will change between me and my wallet—provided that support ever comes.

Since iOS 15.4, Apple has allowed you to add a driver’s license or other state ID to your iPhone’s digital wallet. That doesn’t mean you’ve been needlessly carrying your ID around since then—states have been slow to roll out their own support the feature, and most have yet to sign on at all.

When I first covered this feature in 2022, only two states actively allowed you to add your ID to your iPhone, while 10 more (plus Puerto Rico) had confirmed plans to offer the option eventually, on a loose timeline of “soon.” Fast forward three years, and just 9 states and one territory now officially allow you to add IDs to Wallet.

These states support digital ID now

Here’s the full list as it stands in June 2025:

  • Arizona

  • California

  • Colorado

  • Georgia

  • Hawaii

  • Iowa

  • Maryland

  • New Mexico

  • Ohio

  • Puerto Rico

Support is still "coming soon" in these states

These states had originally pledged that support was "coming soon," but after nearly three years, still haven't committed:

  • Connecticut

  • Kentucky

  • Mississippi

  • Oklahoma

  • Utah

Airports where you can use a digital ID in Apple Wallet

Now, be warned: You can't simply hand a cop your iPhone when you get pulled over. There are specific, limited use cases for this feature. Right now, that means identifying yourself at the airport, as well as at select businesses. Apple worked with the TSA to make this happen, and it currently works at the following airports:

What do you think so far?

  • Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

  • Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)

  • Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)

  • Denver International Airport (DEN)

  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

  • Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)

  • Los Angeles International (LAX)

  • Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)

  • Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

  • San Jose Mineta International (SJC)

This feature will also work with participating businesses to verify your age. That includes bars, restaurants, liquor stores, festivals, concerts, and certain age-restricted apps. That business will need to have age verification set up on their end, but if so, Apple says you can tap your iPhone against theirs to pull up your ID. Then, you can double-click your iPhone's side button to confirm you'd like to share your ID.

How to add a digital ID to your iPhone

If you do live in a supported state, setting up the feature is simple. Open Wallet, then, tap the (+) in the top right, then choose “Driver’s License and ID Cards.” Choose your state, then choose whether to add the ID to your iPhone 8 or newer, as well as your Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. Either way, you’ll need to scan your ID with your iPhone’s camera, then scan your face to prove your identity. Once complete, send all information to your state to confirm.

id cards

Credit: Lifehacker

The next time you fly from a participating airport, you can unlock your iPhone and place it next to the ID scanner. You’ll see your digital ID appear, complete with all information you will be sharing with the TSA if you approve (name, date of birth, sex, ID number, state, issue and expiration dates, real ID status, and ID photo).

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