What you need to add your license to Apple Wallet
You can add your driver's license or state ID to Apple Wallet on an iPhone or iPad running iOS 15.1 or later, or iPadOS 15.1 or later. Not every state offers this yet — as of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah allow digital licenses in Apple Wallet. More states are expected to add support over time.
Before you start, make sure you have your physical driver's license or state ID card in hand. You'll also need to be able to take a photo of the front and back of your card, and you may need to take a selfie to verify your identity. Apple uses facial recognition to confirm you're the person on the license.
Your iPhone or iPad must have Face ID or Touch ID enabled, and you need to be signed into iCloud with your Apple ID. If you don't have an Apple ID, you'll need to create one before you can add your license to Wallet.
Key Takeaways
- Only certain states currently support digital driver's licenses in Apple Wallet, so check whether your state is one of them before you begin.
- You'll need to photograph both sides of your physical license and take a selfie so Apple can verify your identity using facial recognition.
- The entire process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and happens inside the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Once added, your digital license can be shown to police or at TSA checkpoints without unlocking your phone, though availability varies by location.
Step-by-step process to add your license
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad and tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. Select "Driver's License or State ID" from the menu. If your state isn't listed, that state doesn't yet support digital licenses in Apple Wallet, and you'll need to use your physical card instead.
Tap "Continue" and follow the on-screen prompts. You'll be asked to take a photo of the front of your license. Position your card in the frame shown on the screen and tap the camera button. Make sure the entire card is visible and the lighting is clear enough to read all the text and numbers.
Next, you'll photograph the back of your license using the same process. After both photos are taken, Apple will scan the information from your card — your name, date of birth, license number, and expiration date. Review this information carefully to make sure it's correct before moving forward.
Identity verification with facial recognition
After your license is scanned, Apple will ask you to take a selfie to verify that you're the person on the license. Position your face in the circle shown on the screen and follow the on-screen instructions. You may be asked to move your head slightly or blink to confirm you're a real person and not a photo.
This step uses the same facial recognition technology as Face ID on your device. Apple stores this information on your phone and doesn't send your photos or biometric data to Apple's servers — the verification happens locally on your device. If the selfie doesn't match the photo on your license, you'll be asked to try again.
Once verification is complete, your digital license is added to Wallet. You can now view it by opening Wallet and tapping your license. The license will show your name, photo, date of birth, and other identifying information, but some details like your full address may be hidden for privacy.
How to show your digital license to authorities
When a police officer or TSA agent asks for your ID, open Wallet and tap your digital license. Your phone screen will display your license information. You don't need to unlock your phone or use Face ID — the license is visible on the lock screen if you've set it up that way.
At TSA checkpoints, you can hold your phone up to the reader, and the agent can scan the digital license just like a physical card. Some airports and security checkpoints support this feature, though not all do yet. If the checkpoint doesn't have a reader, you can still show your license on the screen, or you can fall back to your physical card.
For police stops, the process is similar — show your phone with the license displayed. Some police departments have equipment to scan digital licenses, but many don't yet. Having your physical license with you as a backup is still a good idea while digital licenses are being rolled out.
Managing and updating your digital license
Once your license is in Wallet, you can view it, delete it, or report it lost or stolen. To manage your license, open Wallet, tap your license, then tap the three dots (•••) in the upper right corner. From here you can see options to report your license as lost or stolen, which will disable the digital version.
If your physical license expires or you renew it, you'll need to add the new license to Wallet separately. Apple doesn't automatically update your digital license when your physical one expires. Before your current license expires, start the process of adding your new license to Wallet so you have both versions available during the transition.
If you lose your phone or get a new one, your digital licenses won't transfer automatically. You'll need to add them again on your new device using the same process — photographing your license and taking a selfie for verification.
Troubleshooting common problems
If your state isn't showing up as an option when you try to add a license, your state doesn't yet support digital licenses in Apple Wallet. Check Apple's official list of supported states, which is updated as more states join the program. You can still use your physical license in the meantime.
If your photos aren't being accepted, make sure the lighting is bright and even, and that your entire license is visible in the frame. Glare from the card's surface or shadows can cause the scan to fail. Try taking the photo in natural light or near a lamp, and hold the card flat and parallel to your phone's camera.
If facial recognition fails repeatedly, make sure you're in good lighting and that your face is clearly visible. Remove glasses or hats if they're blocking your face, and make sure your phone's camera lens is clean. If you continue to have trouble, you can contact Apple Support for help.
What happens if you don't add your license to Wallet
You don't have to add your license to Apple Wallet. Your physical driver's license or state ID remains valid and is accepted everywhere. The digital version is optional and is meant to be a convenience — you can carry just your phone instead of your wallet in some situations.
If you're not comfortable with facial recognition, digital storage, or you straightforward prefer to carry your physical card, that's a valid choice. Many people use both — the digital license on their phone for everyday situations and the physical card as a backup.
Digital licenses are still new, and not all businesses, police departments, or TSA checkpoints have equipment to read them yet. Having your physical license with you is still the safest approach until digital acceptance becomes more widespread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add my license to Apple Wallet if I have a suspended or revoked license?
No. Apple verifies your license information against your state's DMV records during the setup process. If your license is suspended, revoked, or expired, the verification will fail and you won't be able to add it to Wallet. You'll need to resolve the suspension or renew your license first.
Is my digital license as legal as my physical one?
In states that support digital licenses in Apple Wallet, yes — the digital version has the same legal standing as your physical card. However, not all police departments or businesses accept digital IDs yet, so carrying your physical license as a backup is still recommended.
What if I lose my phone after adding my license to Wallet?
Your digital license is stored on your phone and protected by Face ID or Touch ID. If you lose your phone, the license is lost with it, but your physical license is still valid. You can add your license to a new phone once you get one by repeating the setup process.
Can someone else use my digital license if they have my phone?
No. Your digital license is protected by Face ID or Touch ID, so someone else can't view it without your biometric data. Even if they unlock your phone another way, the license requires authentication to display.
Do I need to carry my physical license if I have it in Apple Wallet?
It's still a good idea to carry your physical license as a backup. While digital licenses are becoming more accepted, many police officers and businesses don't yet have equipment to read them. Having both gives you the most flexibility.