The first state to officially roll out Apple’s digital driver’s license and state ID is Arizona, the iPhone maker announced Wednesday. “Starting today, Arizonans can add their driver’s license or state ID to Wallet, and tap their iPhone or Apple Watch to seamlessly and securely present it at select TSA security checkpoints in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport,”
If you live in Arizona and want to add your license or ID to Wallet, you can do so right from the Wallet app. Take photos of the front and back of your license or ID, and you will “be prompted to complete a series of facial and head movements during the setup process,” according to Apple. Apple is not the one approving requests to add licenses or IDs to Wallet — instead, the company says Arizona will be responsible for that.
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According to Apple, during this process, “the TSA will also capture a picture of the traveler for verification purposes.” We’ve asked the TSA for details on where those photos might be stored, how they can ensure they stay private, and if the photos will be deleted after a certain period of time; when we asked Apple, it said it passed our questions to the TSA.
Initially, only travelers using PSA PreCheck at the Phoenix airport will be able to use the feature, according to a TSA press release. And passengers “must continue” to still carry their physical driver’s license or ID and have it available if needed.
Apple has recently amped up its efforts to make the Wallet app a replacement for your physical wallet, though many of its initiatives have been only available sporadically. The digital licenses / IDs are right now only available “for use in select states at select TSA checkpoints within Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Apple says additional states will offer the driver’s license and ID feature “soon,” including Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, the territory of Puerto Rico, and Utah.