It’s been less than a week since leaked materials revealed Apple would eventually support identification cards and driver’s licenses in Apple Wallet. But rather than let the rumor mill carry on with the news, Apple launched a press release today declaring the feature will be available soon. There’s even a link for where to sign up on the DMV’s page.
The page that was circulating last week has finally been pushed live. Now, you can go to the Apple Wallet site to learn how to add your ID card to the app. Apple walks you through the reasons you’d want to implement this capability. There is mention of how much easier it is to “prove your age and identity” in person for things like bars and concerts, renting a car, or verifying your age on an alcohol delivery. Those are conveniences! The ID feature is available on the iPhone and Apple Watch.
Apple takes a beat to remind its users of the additional privacy and security features it enabled for this ability. Apple says that only state-issuing authorities see the information they need to verify the digital use of identification cards. All the data is then encrypted on the device, and there are no tracking mechanisms from either Apple or the state where you’re using the card. Imagine this is a physical card; it’s just tied directly to your phone rather than sitting dormant in a wallet. To that end, Apple’s support pages remind you to move your digital license or state ID off the iPhone when you switch to another one.
The same support page also reveals the verification process. Your iPhone will prompt you to complete a series of head and facial movements to confirm it’s you. This is to determine that you’re a three-dimensional figure rather than a representation of yourself. “For example,” Apple offers, “you might be asked to smile or turn your head to the right.” Once you do that, the iPhone will ask you to take a selfie in front of a plain, neutral background.
ID cards in Apple Wallet are currently available in five states, including Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, and Ohio. California will be the sixth state added to the list. The launch will first occur as part of California’s mobile driver’s license program before it rolls out to the rest of the state.
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