California Driver's Licenses now available in Apple Wallet

Today the California DMV announced mDL (mobile driver's license) for Apple Wallet. While this will not be immediately useful for most people, having the backing of the most populous state may be the critical mass needed for this to gain wider acceptance.

This is a standard, not an Apple proprietary format. Apple is simply implementing ISO 18013-5 within their Wallet app.

So far, other states that have already added support are Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, and Ohio. Apple announced today that Montana, New Mexico, and West Virginia would be added soon. Previously Apple had said that Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah, and Japan would also allow mDL support, but it's unclear whether those are still in the works.

How do you add your mDL to Apple Wallet?

Before you begin you will need to have your license and be prepared to take a photo of yourself for possible review by a human. Open the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the "+" button in the upper right corner. Follow the directions. At some point, you will be asked to do a few things such as open your mouth or close your eyes to make sure that you really are there doing this process. Details at https://support.apple.com/en-us/111803

How do you use your mDL?

The short answer is: hold the top of your iPhone to the ID reader. Your iPhone shows which details will be shared. Double-click the side button to validate Face ID and to share the data. Full details at https://support.apple.com/en-us/118237

Where can you use your mDL?

The list of places is short right now. The most common place to use it will be at TSA security checkpoints. Currently, supported airports are:

• Atlanta (ATL)
• Baltimore/Washington (BWI)
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG)
• Columbus (CMH)
• Denver (DEN)
• Phoenix (PHX)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• San José (SJC)
• Washington National (DCA)

You may start seeing them soon at private locations such as convenience stores to verify your age for alcohol, or clubs where a bouncer can tap your phone to get confirmation that you are over 21 but not see your home address.

You will alsob be able to use your card in apps. For example, if you are applying for a new credit card, the app can request to see your mDL to verify your identity. Or if you order alcohol using Uber Eats your driver can verify your identity without them having to take a photo of your license.

Do I still need my physical driver's license?

For now, you should keep your physical license on you as you always have. Especially when driving. Police do not yet have the appropriate readers, and since the equipment is new there is never a guarantee that the readers at the airports above will be operational. We may get there eventually, but for now you should definitely continue to carry your real license.

Privacy concerns

When I read about reactions to mDL's people make a lot of assumptions about how it's bad. Here are some of the privacy features, some of which make it more secure than a physical driver's license:

• You do not present your mDL by giving your iPhone to an authority. You tap your iPhone to their reader, and they view information on their device.
• The person you are presenting your license to can only read the information relevant to their needs. For example, if a bouncer at a bar or club reads your information, they will only see your photo and whether or not you are over 21. They don't see your birthday or address.
• If you lose your iPhone no one can use your ID without FaceID or your passcode. Information about your license cannot be extracted from the phone, unlike the plastic card.
• Your Wallet app keeps a log of places your mDL has been used. This list is only on your iPhone and not backed up or shared anywhere else.
• Your ID is not stored with Apple or in any backups. It is stored on your iPhone (and Apple Watch) itself. When you change devices you will need to go through the setup process again.