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You Can Use Your iPhone As an ID in These 16 States

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 was a while ago, seeing as we just got iOS 27 (or what would've been iOS 20, had Apple not changed how it names the updates) last month. But that doesn’t mean you’ve been needlessly carrying your ID around since then—some participating states have been slow to roll out support for 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 four years, and just 16 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 October 2026:

  • Arizona

  • Arkansas

  • California

  • Colorado

  • Georgia

  • Hawaii

  • Illinois

  • Iowa

  • Maryland

  • Montana

  • New Mexico

  • North Dakota

  • Ohio

  • Oklahoma

  • Puerto Rico

  • Virginia

  • West Virginia

In addition, the U.S. supports adding your password to the Wallet app as a digital ID.

Support is still "coming soon" in these states

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

  • Connecticut

  • Kentucky

  • Mississippi

  • Utah

States that will not support digital ID

I am not surprised that some states are delaying support for digital IDs, but up until recently, none had rejected the features outright. That changed this week, as reported by 9to5Mac, as officials from both Florida and Rhode Island independently rejected digital IDs for their states. Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida posted his dismissal on X:

Meanwhile, Walter Craddock, Chair of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) International Board of Directors, said the following on a podcast:

I want to see more universal adoption or need for an MDL [mobile drivers license]. I had one of my senators approach and try to talk me into doing it. I had to give him the old Heisman move and push him back…the main user right now is TSA. Up until recently, there was no airport in New England area that could accept an MDL. So why would I spend the money in the development of it? And also, I’m looking to do a solution that is across all platforms. Instead of just doing one for Apple or the Google Wallets, I don’t want to replicate and duplicate efforts.

In short, don't expect digital IDs to come to either of these states anytime soon—not that the program is expanding all that quickly elsewhere.

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 while it used to maintain an active list of supported airports, it seems to have taken it down. This is the list as it was last updated:

  • 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)

  • Missoula International Airport (MSO)

  • Great Falls International Airport (GTF)

  • Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)

  • Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)

  • Lea County Regional Airport (HOB)

  • Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)

This feature will also work with participating businesses to verify your age, including bars, restaurants, liquor stores, festivals, concerts, and certain age-restricted apps. However, there is no list of venues that support this feature.

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. (There are caveats here: California requires an iPhone XS or later running iOS 17.5 or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 4 running at least watchOS 10. Puerto Rico requires an iPhone XS or later running iOS 18.1 or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later running watchOS 11 or newer.)

If you're adding a passport to the Wallet app, there are different requirements. Apple says you'll need an iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26.1 or later, or Apple Watch Series 6 or later with watchOS 26.1 or later. 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. If you live in North Dakota, you will need to pay a $5 fee to use this feature.

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, issuing authority, and issue and expiration dates).



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