Apple has now announced that Arizona and Georgia will support Apple Wallet for state IDs and driver's licenses starting with iOS 15. Other US states are expected to follow soon.
iPhone users have been able to store credit cards and similar items in Apple Wallet for years. But Apple also wants to integrate driver's licenses and ID cards. The whole thing is set to start with iOS 15. Now Cupertino has released a new press release announced eight states that will soon support Apple's vision. Arizona and Georgia will be the first, followed by Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma and Utah. At the same time, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is allowing select airport security checkpoints to work with Apple Wallet. Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, explained:
Apple Wallet now manages ID cards & driving licenses
The addition of driver's licenses and state ID cards to Apple Wallet is an important step in our vision to replace the physical wallet with a secure and easy-to-use mobile wallet. We're thrilled that the TSA and so many states are already on board to enable this for travelers across the country using just their iPhone and Apple Watch, and we're already in discussions with many more states to offer this nationwide in the future.
Apple goes on to quote David Pekoske of the TSA:
This new and innovative mobile driver's license and state ID initiative with Apple and states across the country will provide travelers with a more seamless experience when going through airport security. This initiative is a major milestone for TSA to provide travelers with an additional level of convenience by creating more options for touchless TSA airport security screening.
It will be a while before all US states support Apple's vision. It remains to be seen when the whole thing will be introduced here. (Image: Apple)
