Apple has revealed plans to expand its digital driver's license and state ID feature to three new states: Montana, New Mexico, and West Virginia. This announcement marks a significant step forward in the company's efforts to digitize personal identification documents through the Wallet app on iPhones and Apple Watches.
Currently, the feature is available in seven states: Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia, Ohio, Hawaii, and California. Users in these states can add their driver's license or state ID to their Apple devices, allowing for a contactless way to present identification at select airports and businesses.
The expansion of this feature will enable more Americans to enjoy the convenience of digital IDs. Apple is also enhancing the functionality of these digital IDs by introducing new use cases. Soon, users will be able to present their Wallet app ID for CLEAR member enrollment at airports, streamlining the process for frequent travelers.
Additionally, Apple announced upcoming support for the feature in popular apps such as CLEAR, MyChart, and Uber Eats. This integration will allow users to verify their identity or age within these applications using their digital ID, potentially simplifying various processes from medical appointments to food delivery age verification.
For air travelers, the digital ID feature is currently accepted at TSA checkpoints in nine major U.S. airports, including Baltimore/Washington International, Ronald Reagan Washington National, and San Francisco International. However, Apple advises travelers to check TSA checkpoint signage for availability, as the feature is not yet universally accepted.
While this announcement brings the total number of states committed to the feature to 13, it's worth noting that several states previously announced as participants, including Connecticut, Iowa, and Kentucky, have yet to implement the feature. The timeline for rollout in these states remains unclear.
As Apple continues to expand this feature across the United States, it's also looking beyond national borders. The company has plans to make the feature compatible with Japan's My Number Card system in the future, signaling potential international expansion of digital IDs in the Wallet app.
This ongoing development in digital identification reflects a broader trend towards digitization of personal documents and highlights Apple's commitment to enhancing the utility of its devices in everyday life.