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, underneath the label “California mDL Pilot.” Before now, solely a restricted variety of individuals had 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 mentioned that it was working with California to carry IDs to Apple Pockets.
“We’re excited to be working with the state of California to carry IDs in Apple Pockets to Apple’s residence state quickly, and supply residents with a straightforward, safe, and personal method to current their California driver’s license and state ID in particular person and in app utilizing Apple Pockets,” mentioned 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 identification 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 cellular pockets assist continues to be in an early stage, and just 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 shouldn’t be accepted by legislation 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 gradual to undertake the characteristic. To date, solely Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Hawaii, and Ohio have applied assist. Apple mentioned 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.