California Residents Can Now Add Digital Driver's Licenses to Apple and Google Wallets
California expands its digital ID program by allowing residents to store driver's licenses and state IDs directly in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Users can now present these mobile IDs at TSA checkpoints and select businesses for age or identity verification.
California residents can now store their driver's license or state ID directly in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. The state government announces this expansion just one month after introducing digital IDs through Google Wallet. Users add their identification by taking a selfie and scanning their physical card, which allows them to use their phone for identity verification at select TSA checkpoints, businesses, and participating apps.
California joins a growing list of states that support digital identification, including Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, and Ohio. Governor Gavin Newsom highlights the partnership with Apple and Google as a major step in providing convenient, private, and secure services. More than 500,000 Californians have already added a mobile driver's license to their phones through the state's existing DMV Wallet app during a pilot program.
The trend toward mobile identification continues to gain significant momentum across the country. According to the Secure Technology Alliance, more than 20 states are currently exploring the adoption of mobile digital licenses. This widespread interest indicates a future where physical wallets hold fewer cards as smartphones become the primary method for verifying personal identity.