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 check of the digital license characteristic.
A number of MacRumors readers have reported seeing the California license as an choice within the Pockets app, below 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 cell 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 deliver IDs to Apple Pockets.
“We’re excited to be working with the state of California to deliver IDs in Apple Pockets to Apple’s residence state quickly, and supply residents with a simple, safe, and personal technique to current their California driver’s license and state ID in particular person and in app utilizing Apple Pockets,” stated Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vp of Apple Pay and Apple Pockets. “Whether or not utilizing IDs in Apple Pockets to breeze by means of journey, or to securely confirm age or id at companies, California driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Pockets make ID presentment seamless – all with the safety constructed 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 cell pockets assist 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 is just not accepted by regulation enforcement, state authorities businesses, and most companies.
Apple introduced a brand new Pockets app that supported digital IDs again in 2022, however states have been gradual to undertake the characteristic. Thus far, solely Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Hawaii, and Ohio have applied assist. Apple stated in 2022 that Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Utah are engaged on assist, and right this moment added that Montana, New Mexico, and West Virginia additionally plan to undertake the performance.
