Up to 1.5 million California residents can try using the digital IDs at ‘select TSA checkpoints, businesses, and venues.’
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Apple announced that starting today, California residents can add their driver’s licenses and state IDs to Apple Wallet on their iPhones and Apple Watches as part of the state’s mobile driver’s license (mDL) pilot program.
As announced last month, up to 1.5 million pilot participants can add the documents to Apple Wallet by scanning their driver’s license or state ID card using their iPhone and then providing a scan of their face using a “series of facial and head movements” as an added security measure. The scans will need to be verified by the state before the documents are made available in Wallet.
However, as it’s still only authorized for limited usage, the state DMV advises users to continue carrying their physical IDs, too.
Starting today, the digital IDs can be used at “select TSA checkpoints” at San Francisco International, Los Angeles International, and Mineta San Jose International airports without users having to hand over physical copies of their licenses, IDs, or their iPhones. They can also be presented to participating businesses and venues as proof of identity and age.
According to Apple, IDs stored in Apple Wallet are encrypted (including the history of when it’s been presented) on a device and that data is not accessible by Apple or the state issuing the ID. The information can not be accessed until authorized using Face ID or Touch ID, and displaying it doesn’t require the device to be fully unlocked, Apple says.
California joins six other states that already support Apple Wallet IDs, including Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Hawaii, and Ohio. Montana, New Mexico, and West Virginia will eventually join them.
