Ohio recently became the fifth state to give its residents the option of adding their driver’s licenses to Apple Wallet.

“Ohioans can now add their Ohio-issued driver’s license or state identification card to Apple Wallet for convenient use at select businesses and Transportation Security Administration checkpoints,” Herald-Star reports.

According to a 9to5Mac report, digital ID Apple Wallet compatibility is available in the following states:

  • Ohio
  • Maryland
  • Arizona
  • Georgia
  • Colorado

The report noted that Apple said the following states are “committed to supporting its implementation of digital IDs in Wallet”:

  • Connecticut
  • Hawaii
  • Iowa
  • Kentucky
  • Mississippi
  • Oklahoma
  • Utah

“@LtGovHusted and I just announced that Ohioans can now add their Ohio-issued driver’s license or identification card to Apple Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch. It’s easy, secure, and private,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced.

WATCH:

“Ohio has always been a leader in innovation, and now we are the fifth state in the country that gives residents the option to securely add their driver’s license to Apple Wallet,” said DeWine.

“This is another example of how Ohio is using technology to better serve its customers and residents,” he added.

“InnovateOhio aims to make Ohio the most innovative, entrepreneurial state in the Midwest while enhancing convenience for residents through technology,” said Lt. Governor Husted.

“Adding your Ohio driver’s license or ID to Apple Wallet is the latest example of modernizing the BMV and simplifying processes for Ohioans. We’ve also launched an app for businesses to read Ohio Mobile IDs, enabling them to utilize this new service,” he added.

Herald-Star reports:

Ohio residents can use their iOS device — including iPhones or Apple Watches. To access Apple Wallet, tap the + button at the top of the screen, select “Driver’s license or State ID” and follow the on-screen instructions to set up and verify the digital card.

The license or state ID must be valid, unexpired and easily readable. The device must be an iPhone 8 or later running iOS 16.5 or later. It may also be an Apple Watch Series 4 or later with watchOS 9.5 or later. The device must be set to the United States.

In Ohio and other states that have implemented the technology, mobile ID users can simply hold their device near a reader, and the device will display only what information is being requested. Users must then use Face ID or Touch ID to authorize the information’s release. Users do not have to physically hand over their devices, as the information is shared digitally.

Information and how-to videos are available on bmv.ohio.gov/MobileID.

According to Hayley Carducci, press secretary for Lt. Gov. Jon Husted’s office, digital IDs in Apple Wallet “take full advantage of the privacy and security built into iPhone and Apple Watch. Customers’ identity data is encrypted and protected against tampering and theft.”

According to reports, California may be the next state to support digital IDs in Apple Wallet.

“However, despite dragging its feet with a proprietary app-based system for almost a year, the state of California now seems close to rolling out support to let citizens add their driving license as a digital ID in Apple Wallet, on their iPhone or Apple Watch,” 9to5Mac wrote.

From 9to5Mac:

The system is currently in private beta testing with DMV employees, and as of July, the government has been building out consumer landing pages, including hero images like the one pictured above.

While imagery and copy are non-final, this is a strong indicator that the state is preparing for a launch in the nearby future. A public rollout in California will mean the Apple employees that built the Wallet app functionality, will now actually be able to use it where they live.

To add a driver’s license, you simply scan the front and back of the card in the Wallet app set up flow, as well as send a photo of yourself as proof of ownership. The ID application will be verified and be visible inside the Wallet app.

Once the license is added to the Wallet app, iPhone users and Apple Watch wearers can present their digital ID at supported locations, by placing their device on a NFC contactless reader. For example, some TSA checkpoints at California airports will allow for this, including San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Digital IDs in Apple Wallet are stored securely, and protected by device biometrics. When an agent wants to see their identity, they initiate a request for certain information. By presenting your device, iOS will transfer the minimal amount of information to prove eligibility.

“Coming to the state near you. Digital ID will be sold as a safe, secure and convenient way to prove who you are online for work, education and personal use. BUT there is a massive and real potential for abuse through surveillance (vaccine passport, CBDC, carbon tracking, etc),” Dr. Kat Lindley warned.

Forbes noted:

A new report from Benjamin Mayo at 9to5 Mac published on Monday claims the nation’s biggest state in California is preparing to announce support for digital IDs in Apple’s Wallet app. The news comes less than a week after Ohio announced support for Apple Wallet for its residents.

To say the adoption of ID support in Apple Wallet has been slow is an understatement. Since its launch back in 2021, there are only five states supporting the feature: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, and Ohio. California would be the sixth, with Apple previously saying six other states—Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Utah—all pledged their commitment to supporting the Wallet app.

Mayo writes California’s choice to (finally) support Apple Wallet comes after the state had been testing its own proprietary app to house digital IDs, which I wrote about almost a year ago. He also notes Apple Wallet support currently is being tested in private beta with DMV employees, adding government workers have been busy building landing pages for the functionality ahead of its public launch. A release date is unknown.

 

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