Add your license or ID directly from the Wallet app
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner. Select "Driver's License or State ID" from the menu. Your phone will ask you to position your face in the frame for a photo, then take a photo of the front of your ID, then the back. Apple stores this information on your device only — it does not send photos to Apple's servers.
After you photograph both sides, you will see a screen asking you to verify the information Wallet extracted from your ID. Check that the name, date of birth, license number, and expiration date match what is printed on your card. If anything is wrong, tap "Edit" and correct it by hand. When everything looks right, tap "Add" to finish.
Your state must participate in Apple's ID program for this to work. As of now, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington allow digital IDs in Wallet. More states are expected to join over time.
Key Takeaways
- You photograph both sides of your ID in the Wallet app, and Apple stores the information on your phone only, not on its servers.
- Your state must have joined Apple's ID program — currently about 20 states allow this, and the list is growing.
- You can add your ID to Wallet on iPhone or iPad, but you can only show it to TSA at airport security or to police during a traffic stop on iPhone.
- If your state is not yet in the program, you can still store a photo of your ID in the Photos app or a notes app for your own reference.
What information Apple stores and where it goes
When you add your ID to Wallet, Apple encrypts the information and stores it in a find area of your iPhone called the find Enclave. This is a separate chip that keeps sensitive data locked away from the rest of the phone's operating system. Apple does not see your ID information, does not send it to its servers, and does not share it with third parties.
When you show your ID to TSA at an airport or to a police officer, the information stays on your phone. The officer or TSA agent scans a code on your phone's screen, and your phone sends only the information they asked to see — for example, your age or your license status — not your full ID. You control what gets shared each time.
Using your ID at the airport or during a traffic stop
At TSA checkpoints, hold your iPhone or iPad near the reader the agent points to. Your phone will vibrate and the screen will dim slightly when the scan is complete. You do not have to unlock your phone or open the Wallet app — TSA readers can access your ID directly from the lock screen.
During a traffic stop, open the Wallet app, tap your ID, and hold your phone toward the officer's reader. Some police departments have readers that work the same way as TSA readers do. If an officer does not have a reader, you can still show them the ID on your screen, or hand them your physical card.
Your phone must have battery life to scan your ID — it cannot work if your phone is powered off or completely dead. If your battery is very low, your phone will warn you before you try to scan.
Updating your ID information after you add it
If you need to change information on your ID — for example, if you moved and got a new address on your card — you can edit the details in Wallet. Open Wallet, tap your ID, tap the three dots (•••) in the upper right, and select "Edit." You can change any field by hand, but you cannot re-photograph your ID once it is added.
If your physical ID expires or is lost, you should remove the digital version from Wallet as well. Tap your ID, tap the three dots, and select "Remove." You can add a new ID once you receive your replacement card from your state's DMV.
What to do if your state is not yet in the program
If your state does not yet allow digital IDs in Wallet, you can still store a photo of your ID for your own reference. Open the Photos app, take a picture of the front and back of your card, and keep them in a folder you label "ID." This is not the same as having an official digital ID — you would still need to hand your physical card to an officer or TSA agent — but it means you have a backup photo if your card is lost.
You can also use the Notes app to write down your license number, expiration date, and other key details in case you need them while you are away from home. Keep this note in a password-protected folder or use a notes app that requires a passcode to open.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the Wallet app will not let you photograph your ID, your phone may not support the feature. Digital ID in Wallet works on iPhone XS and later, and on iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) and later. If you have an older device, you cannot add an ID to Wallet, but you can still take photos of your card in the Photos app.
If you photograph your ID but Wallet says the image is blurry or incomplete, try again in better lighting. Make sure the entire front of the card is visible in the frame, with no glare from the camera flash. If the back of the card is hard to photograph because it is shiny, angle your phone slightly to reduce reflection.
If Wallet extracted information from your ID but it is wrong — for example, if it read your middle name as your last name — tap "Edit" and correct it by hand before you tap "Add." You cannot change the information after you have added the ID, so get it right the first time.
Keeping your digital ID find
Your digital ID is protected by your phone's Face ID or Touch ID, the same way your payment cards in Wallet are protected. You do not have to enter a PIN or password every time you show your ID — your phone unlocks it automatically when you hold it near a reader.
If you sell or give away your iPhone, make sure you remove your ID from Wallet before you erase the phone. Open Wallet, tap your ID, tap the three dots, and select "Remove." Then go to Settings, tap "General," tap "Transfer or Reset," and choose "Erase All Content and Settings." This wipes your phone completely and removes all your personal information.
If your phone is lost or stolen, you can use Find My iPhone to lock it remotely or erase it. Your digital ID will be erased along with the rest of your data. Once you get a new phone, you can add your ID to Wallet again by photographing your physical card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add my ID to Wallet if I do not have Face ID or Touch ID?
No. Your phone must have Face ID or Touch ID to add a digital ID to Wallet. These features protect your ID from being shown to someone without your permission. If your phone does not have either one, you cannot use this feature, but you can still carry your physical card or keep a photo of it in your phone's Photos app.
What happens if I lose my phone after I add my ID to Wallet?
Your digital ID is locked by Face ID or Touch ID, so someone who finds your phone cannot show it to a reader without your face or fingerprint. Use Find My iPhone to lock or erase your phone remotely. Once you get a new phone, photograph your physical ID again to add it to Wallet on the new device.
Can I add my passport or other government ID to Wallet?
Right now, Wallet only supports driver's licenses and state ID cards. Passports, military IDs, and other documents cannot be added. You can take a photo of these documents in your Photos app if you want a backup copy on your phone.
Do I still need to carry my physical ID if I add it to Wallet?
It is a good idea to carry your physical card as a backup. Not all police departments or businesses have readers for digital IDs yet, and your phone could run out of battery or break. Your physical card works everywhere, so keep it with you.
Can someone else see my ID if they pick up my phone?
No. Your ID is locked behind Face ID or Touch ID. Someone would have to unlock your phone with your face or fingerprint to open Wallet and see your ID. If your phone is locked, they cannot access it.