In the United State of America (USA), many states are planning on the adoption of mobile digital licenses. The Government of California State has announced that residents can begin to store their driver’s license or state ID in their Apple Wallet apps. Google Wallet app already allowed this feature last month.
However, this is not the first time companies like Google and Apple are supporting digital ID cards. Last week, Google introduced creation of "Digital ID Pass" as part of Google's new Beta Test. The "ID Pass" allows U.S. citizen with valid international passport to create a digital ID of their American passport.
Currently, California residents can already store their driver’s license in both Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Likewise the integration of International passport with Google Wallet Google is currently working on, the support for California driver's licenses on Apple and Google Wallet apps would allow Californians to use their mobile devices to present their ID in person at select TSA security checkpoints and businesses. They can also use the app to verify their age or identity in select apps.
Other several U.S. states like Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, and Ohio are among the early adopters of the digital driver's licenses and state IDs. Before in California, people had to turn to the DMV Wallet app if they wanted to store a digital copy of their driver’s license. This meant that you needed an additional app on your phone solely for that purpose. Now, Apple Wallet and Google Wallet users in the state can do so through their usual card apps.
Digital IDs give convenience and hassle-free, making it easier to access identification and verification for various purposes such as boarding flights, proving identity, or confirming age. Digital ID Cards also come with enhanced and top-level security features, including encryption types of security, making it complex for them to be compromised or stolen compared to physical Identification (ID) Cards.
How to add ID Card to Apple Wallet and Google Wallet
You can follow these steps to add your physical State ID card or Driver's ID Card to Apple Wallet App or Google Wallet App. Note that, we'll be starting with Apple Wallet and then follows by Google Wallet.
1. Apple Wallet
- To add your ID to Apple Wallet, First thing first, you need to open the Apple Wallet app on your smartphone and click the “+” button at the top of the dashboard.
- After that, choose "Driver’s License or State ID" as your ID option.
- Then, you'll need to follow the on-screen instructions to begin the setup and verification process.
- You'll be required to take a "selfie" of yourself and have both the front and back of your ID scanned.
- Complete any additional verification steps that follows to complete the entire processes and have your physical ID card digitalized.
2. Google Wallet
Follow these steps to digitized your Driver's License or State ID with Google Wallet App:
- First of all, you need to open the Google Wallet app on your smartphone.
- Tap on the “Add to Wallet” option and select an “ID card” you'd love to use.
- Next, choose your state from the list from the list of option available.
- Now, scan the ID card and follow the prompt instructions to verify your identity.
California’s Mobile ID Initiative
California has partnered with Apple and Google to offer digital driver’s licenses and ID cards for residents. According to Governor Gavin Newsom, this program aims to provide convenient, private, and secure access to IDs on mobile devices.
The governor’s website noted that more than 500,000 Californians have already added a mobile driver’s license (mDL) to their phone using the California DMV Wallet app. The mDL pilot program has been limited to 1.5 million participants.
