As announced last month, up to 1.5 million pilot program participants will be able to add documents to Apple Wallet by scanning their driver’s license or state ID with their iPhone and then providing a scan of their face using a “series of facial and head movements” as an added security measure. The scans will need to be verified by the state before the documents are made available in Wallet.
However, since it is still only authorized for limited use, the state DMV recommends users continue to carry their physical IDs as well.
Starting today, digital IDs can be used at “select TSA checkpoints” at San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Jose Mineta International Airports without requiring users to hand over physical copies of their licenses, IDs or iPhones. They can also be presented at participating merchants and locations as proof of identity and age.
According to Apple, IDs stored in Apple Wallet are encrypted (including the history of when they've been presented) on a device, and neither Apple nor the state issuing the ID can access that data. The information can't be accessed until authorized using Face ID or Touch ID, and displaying it doesn't require the device to be fully unlocked, Apple says.
California joins six other states that already support Apple Wallet IDs, including Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Hawaii and Ohio. Montana, New Mexico and West Virginia will join in the future.