Digital driver’s licenses are gaining momentum across America, with seven more states now on track to add support for Apple Wallet’s digital ID feature. Arkansas, Connecticut, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah, and Virginia are joining the existing roster of states already allowing residents to tap and verify their identity with an iPhone, announced officials this week.
The expansion marks a significant step in the growing adoption of digital identification, which began in March 2022 when Arizona became the first state to implement the technology. Since then, 12 other states and Puerto Rico have gradually introduced similar capabilities, with Kentucky officially launching its program this summer. The remaining six newcomers haven’t yet disclosed their implementation timelines.
Airports Leading Adoption
Perhaps the most practical application so far? Travel. The Transportation Security Administration now accepts Apple’s digital ID at security checkpoints in more than 250 U.S. airports, streamlining the identity verification process for domestic travelers.
“Tap and go” might soon replace the familiar fumble for physical identification at airport security lines across the country. As more states climb aboard, what was once a tech novelty is increasingly becoming mainstream, though widespread retail and law enforcement adoption remains limited.
The current list of participating states includes Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia, Ohio, Hawaii, California, Iowa, New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota, West Virginia, and Illinois — with the most recent additions coming online between August 2025 and November 2025, according to industry reports.
How It Works
Setting up a digital ID isn’t quite as simple as snapping a photo. Users need compatible hardware — an iPhone 8 or later, or Apple Watch Series 4 or newer — with either Face ID or Touch ID enabled. Two-factor authentication must be activated on the Apple Account, and the device region must be set to the United States, explains Apple’s support documentation.
Privacy concerns? Apple has built the system with several safeguards. Users must explicitly authorize sharing specific data with Face ID or Touch ID verification, and neither Apple nor the issuing state authority can track when or where the digital ID is used, states the company.
Still, some privacy advocates remain cautious about potential future expansions of digital identification systems, particularly regarding data security and potential surveillance implications.
As the technology continues its state-by-state rollout, the convenience factor appears to be winning over both government agencies and consumers. With twenty states soon on board and more likely to follow, the physical driver’s license — a staple of American wallets for decades — may eventually become optional rather than essential for many daily transactions.
