Arizona iPhone Users, Showing Your State ID Just Got Easier

CUPERTINO, CA — Technology giant Apple is partnering with the state of Arizona to roll out the ability for residents to add their driver’s license or state ID to the digital wallet on their iPhone or Apple Watch.

Arizona and Georgia will be the first states where residents can add their ID to their Apple Wallet, according to a news release from the company. Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma and Utah are slated to follow.

"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," Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, said in the release. "We are already in discussions with many more states as we’re working to offer this nationwide in the future."

Eric Jorgensen, director of the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division, said in a release that Arizona "pleased" to work with Apple to bring Arizonans the "choice, convenience, and security of adding their driver’s license to their Apple Wallet."

"Beyond being innovative and exciting, a digital version of a driver’s license offers increased security and privacy for our residents, making it something everyone should consider," Jorgensen said.

How will it work? And what could this mean for your privacy?

The first place residents will be able to use their ID in Apple Wallet is at security checkpoints at participating airports, the release said.

Residents will present their driver’s license or state ID to the security officials by simply tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch at the identity reader. IDs are scanned digitally through encrypted communication directly between the device and the identity reader. This means there's no need to unlock, show or hand over the device to present an ID.

Neither Apple nor the participating state will know when or where users residents present their IDs, according to the news release. Built-in security features including Face ID and Touch ID ensure that only the person who added the ID to the device can view or present their ID or license in Wallet.

If you live in a participating state, adding your driver's license or state ID to Apple Wallet is a straightforward process. According to Apple, residents should follow these steps:

1. Open Apple Wallet on your iPhone.
2. Tap the + button at the top of the screen in Wallet to add your license or ID. If you have an Apple Watch paired to your iPhone, you will be prompted to also add your ID to the Wallet app on your Apple Watch.
3. You will be asked to scan your physical driver’s license or state ID card and take a selfie, which will be securely provided to the issuing state for verification.
4. For security purposes, users will also be prompted to complete a series of facial and head movements during the setup process. Once verified by the issuing state, the customer’s ID or driver’s license will be added to Apple Wallet.