California Digital IDs Coming Soon to Apple and Google Wallets

California is expanding its mobile driver's license (mDL) program by allowing residents to add their driver’s licenses and state IDs to both Google Wallet and Apple Wallet in the coming weeks. This new functionality will enable users to present their digital IDs at select businesses and TSA security checkpoints. The pilot program is limited to 1.5 million participants, and over a third of this capacity is already filled through the CA DMV Wallet application.

Apple Wallet's integration, which uses the privacy and security features built into iPhone and Apple Watch, will encrypt and store ID information only on the user’s device. This ensures that neither Apple nor the state-issuing authority has access to users' data or records of when and where IDs are presented. The digital IDs will not replace physical IDs but will provide a convenient alternative for specific use cases. Currently, digital IDs are accepted in five other states: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, and Ohio.

The California DMV is working to encourage broad acceptance of the mDL among financial institutions, retail establishments, law enforcement, and government agencies. While the current pilot stage limits acceptance, the state aims for more widespread use in the future. As more states begin to adopt similar digital ID programs, this initiative could pave the way for a more modern and secure identification system nationwide.