As announced last month, up to 1.5 million pilot participants will be able to add the documents to Apple Wallet by scanning their driver's license or ID card with their iPhone and then providing a scan of their face using a “series of facial and head movements” as an additional security measure. The scans must be verified by the state before the documents are made available in Wallet.
However, since use is still restricted, the state DMV recommends that users continue to carry their physical ID.
Starting today, the digital IDs can be used at “select TSA checkpoints” at San Francisco International, Los Angeles International and San Jose Mineta International airports without requiring users to hand over physical copies of their driver's licenses, IDs or iPhones. They can also be presented to participating businesses and venues as proof of identity and age.
According to Apple, IDs stored in Apple Wallet are encrypted on a device (including the history of when they were presented), and this data is not accessible to Apple or the state issuing the ID. The information cannot be accessed until authorization occurs via Face ID or Touch ID, and the device does not need to be fully unlocked to view the information, Apple says.
California joins six other states that already support Apple Wallet IDs, including Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Hawaii and Ohio. Montana, New Mexico and West Virginia will eventually join them.