In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps.
Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly. It has been three and a half years since Apple first announced the feature in September 2021, and only nine U.S. states and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico offer it.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface.
The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas.
Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial
The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall.
At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive.
If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging."
Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs.
We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else.
iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
Another hint has surfaced that Apple is preparing to eliminate the physical SIM card tray from iPhones in more countries this year.
In particular, a source familiar with the matter has informed MacRumors that retail employees at Apple Authorized Resellers in the EU are required to complete a training course related to iPhones with eSIM support by Friday, September 5. There are 27 countries...
Yes, my license has a scan code on the back that I suppose gives full information. Nevertheless, I'm confident Massachusetts will be the last state to enable digital ID. After all, we were last to allow right turn on red, and only when the Feds threatened to withhold highway funding.
That is a PDF417 barcode. It tells you what is on the front, but provides no validation mechanism (you could create a bogus license and create what ever you want in the barcode). The entire point of a digital license is that it be verifiable to anyone scanning it. Without that capability, they may as well just allow use of pictures of your license.
I know why but why is it taking so long to offer a digital ID in all states. The info is already digital when the license is printed and handed over, just make the data available for secure platforms.
Years and years and years of “don’t unlock your phone around cops”, and now everyone wants to have to unlock their phone to show ID. I dunno, just seems weird to me.
Apple says this about drivers licenses: "You’ll always see which data you’re sharing, and your information will only be shared after you authorize with Face ID or Touch ID. Neither Apple nor your state issuing authority can see when or where you share your information."
That you do not have to unlock your phone, just verify with face or touch ID.
This is from Apple: "When you present your ID, you can review the information being requested and who is requesting it. When you present your license or ID in person, after you authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID, your ID information is presented digitally through encrypted communication between your iPhone or Apple Watch and the identity reader, so you don’t need to unlock, show, or hand over your device. If your device is locked when you present your ID, it stays locked after you present your ID." https://support.apple.com/en-us/118260
If police don't have a reader (I'm not sure which police departments in which states have the readers, if any do), the digital ID isn't implemented fully so you should have a physical ID with you when driving.
Because that’s how government works. Apple is not scratching the right backs to make it happen. The a guy that’s selling the blank cards for the drivers license donated $100k to representative Billy Bob. Why would Billy Bob hurt his friend’s business? Now, if Tim Apple were to donate $250k to Billy Bob well then he would just push his friend out of the way.
Either way, thinking about it why would anyone want to hand their unlocked smart phone to a police officer. At that point, you are consenting for him to do whatever he wants with your phone. Just keep the little piece of government issued plastic on you and everything is good. It’s not like they’re not going to charge you the same price for your NFT identification card.
You dont need to unlock the phone to show items in wallet unless you turn the double-click ability off. Even when you do authorize the wallet, the phone itself is locked just like it is when you authorize a card for ApplePay. I need to hand my phone to someone at a drive through window at times which I dont like to do but I'm not too worried because the phone wont allow them to see anything else.
I do get where you're coming from though. It potentially opens you up for abuse but not having to carry a physical wallet or to at least have a backup would be a nice option that allows me to make the personal choice for use.
Interesting that Virginia is not on the list The VA DMV has been telling residents that it’s coming this spring (2025). We currently have an app based digital DL, but not Apple or Android Wallet integration.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
