iPhone customers in California can now add their digital driver’s licenses and IDs within the Apple Pockets app on iPhone and Apple Watch, with California increasing an ongoing take a look at of the digital license characteristic.
A number of MacRumors readers have reported seeing the California license as an choice within the Pockets app, underneath the label “California mDL Pilot.” Before now, solely a restricted variety of individuals have been seeing the choice.
Pockets app integration is a part of California’s cellular driver’s license effort, which kicked off a yr in the past. Greater than 500,000 individuals have already added a driver’s license or ID to the California DMV Pockets app, the place California examined the choice earlier than beginning to roll it out to the Pockets app.
Apple introduced California’s Pockets license plans again in August, and stated that it was working with California to carry IDs to Apple Pockets.
“We’re excited to be working with the state of California to bring IDs in Apple Wallet to Apple’s home state soon, and provide residents with an easy, secure, and private way to present their California driver’s license and state ID in person and in app using Apple Wallet,” stated Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice chairman of Apple Pay and Apple Pockets. “Whether using IDs in Apple Wallet to breeze through travel, or to securely verify age or identity at businesses, California driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet make ID presentment seamless – all with the security built into iPhone and Apple Watch.”
IDs and licenses saved within the Pockets app on iPhone or iPad can be utilized for TSA screenings at choose airports (together with SFO, LAX, and SJC) and for age verification at choose shops. Proper now, California’s cellular pockets help remains to be in an early stage, and only one.5 million contributors are ready to enroll.
California requires individuals to proceed to hold a bodily license or ID card as a result of the digital license just isn’t accepted by regulation enforcement, state authorities companies, and most companies.
Apple introduced a brand new Pockets app that supported digital IDs again in 2022, however states have been sluggish to undertake the characteristic. Up to now, solely Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Hawaii, and Ohio have applied help. Apple stated in 2022 that Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Utah are engaged on help, and right now added that Montana, New Mexico, and West Virginia additionally plan to undertake the performance.