Arizona and Georgia residents will start soon adding their personal documents like driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet, Apple has revealed. They will support the initiative at the beginning, letting their residents use IDs stored on Wallet, with Utah, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Maryland to follow.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced they will let travelers use an ID stored in Wallet at some security checkpoints and lanes at certain airports. Apple says these will be the first places where people can use a driver’s license or state ID they add to Wallet. Retailers and venues are excited about this new method, and are beginning to make tests with their own clients, so, once the efficiency of storing their ID in their Apple Wallet is assured, they will implement it and add support later.
You’ll be able to share ID details by tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch, which could help you avoid carrying the physical copy with you or losing it. So many states are already on board to help bring this to life for travelers across the country using only their iPhone and Apple Watch, and they are already discussing with many more states, hoping to offer this nationwide shortly.
Adding an ID to Wallet is similar to the process of saving credit cards and transit passes. You’ll need to scan the card with your phone and take a selfie for verification by your state. When you tap your device at TSA checkpoints, it will display a prompt listing the info that the agency is asking for. Once you authorize the request with Face ID or Touch ID, your iPhone or Apple Watch will share those details with the TSA, so you don’t even need to show your device to an agent or scanner.
Apple says it will store your ID securely. The function will be available as part of iOS 15, which Apple will likely release this month, if past release dates are anything to go by. The most recent major version of the firmware will also allow you to add work badges and unlock some door locks. Apple Wallet already lets some students store their IDs, depending on the rules of their schools.
What’s your opinion? Would you like to store your ID in your Apple Wallet? Do you think ID theft cases will drop, or increase instead? Leave your comments below!
