Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

One of the largest U.S. states is supporting driver’s licenses in Apple Wallet

Apple Wallet showing a California digital ID.
Apple

The wait is finally over — the state of California is beginning to roll out support for digital driver’s licenses and state IDs in the Apple Wallet app on both iPhone and Apple Watch, Apple announced today.

Yes, if you live in the Golden State, you will soon be able to get your digital ID in Apple Wallet.

Recommended Videos

“We’re excited to be working with the state of California to bring IDs in Apple Wallet to Apple’s home state soon, and provide residents with an easy, secure, and private way to present their California driver’s license and state ID in person and in app using Apple Wallet,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. “Whether using IDs in Apple Wallet to breeze through travel, or to securely verify age or identity at businesses, California driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet make ID [presentation] seamless — all with the security built into iPhone and Apple Watch.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated that California IDs will be rolling out to Apple Wallet and Google Wallet in the coming weeks.

Adding an Ohio ID to Apple Wallet.
Apple

However, it is important to note that even though support for digital IDs is coming to California, it is not replacing the requirement of a physical ID card. Californians will still need to have their actual driver’s license or state ID with them, even if they have the digital version.

The digital ID is simply just an added convenience for Californian residents. A digital driver’s license or state ID in the Apple Wallet can be used at select Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints and other businesses. It should also work in select apps for age and identity verification.

Apple first announced digital IDs in 2021, so it is a bit surprising that its own home state took this long to support them. Five other states in the U.S. support digital IDs: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, and — most recently — Ohio. California will be the sixth state to join that small, but growing list.

To get your California digital ID in Apple Wallet, you must go through the California Department of Motor Vehicles’ mDL pilot program.

Christine Romero-Chan
Christine Romero-Chan has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade. She graduated from California…
The first iOS 18 update fixes a major bug with Apple’s Passwords app
An iPhone showing the Apple Password app.

Apple has finally introduced iOS 18.0.1 and iPadOS 18.0.1, the first software updates for iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. Although this iOS 18.1, which will brng the Apple Intelligence update that many have been waiting for, it’s important nonetheless.

The iOS 18.0.1 update fixes a pesky bug in Apple’s new Password app. As the iOS 18.0.1 change notes explain, there was an issue where the Password app could inadvertently use VoiceOver to read out passwords. No doubt, this is a bug no one wants to see, and now it’s squashed.

Read more
iOS 18 has a big privacy change. Here’s what it means for you
The iPhone 16 Pro, showing its iOS 18 home screen.

Apple has introduced several changes with iOS 18 this year, and many more are expected to come with iOS 18.1 and future versions in the upcoming weeks. These changes mainly involve the visual appearance of iOS, such as a revamped Control Center and the forthcoming debut of Apple Intelligence.

Recently, The New York Times highlighted another change Apple made in iOS 18 that has been much less discussed: the modifications to the Contact Sync feature.

Read more
I’ll never travel without Belkin’s excellent iPhone and Apple Watch charger
An iPhone and Apple Watch on the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Travel Pad.

I've been on the road a lot this year, and as much as I love exploring the country and other parts of the world, some travel annoyances are difficult to overcome. One of them is remembering to pack the right charging cables for phones, smartwatches, and other gadgets. Even when you bring all the right charging accessories, you're often left with a messy hotel desk strewn with cables to charge all your devices. It's a frustrating situation all around.

Thankfully, I think I've finally found a solution to this problem — at least when it comes to charging my iPhone and Apple Watch. Belkin recently sent me its BoostCharge Pro Travel Pad, and after using it on a recent three-day trip to New York City, it's earned a permanent spot in my backpack as an accessory I'll never travel without again.
A small, flexible, and fun design
The Travel Pad's MagSafe iPhone charger Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Read more