Apple Wallet IDs are set to expand to four additional U.S. states: North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah and Virginia, according to a new report and evidence found in Apple’s software. North Carolina’s Department of Motor Vehicles has announced a parallel mobile ID program, while code references indicate forthcoming support for the other three states.
North Carolina’s DMV said residents will be able to set up a digital ID through a new NC Wallet app beginning in December, with Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet support arriving in “early 2027.” The DMV added in an FAQ that “Your mobile ID is a valid form of identification in North Carolina,” while noting businesses may not be ready to accept mobile IDs immediately and recommending carrying a physical card as a backup.
How to set up an Apple Wallet ID
To add a driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet on iPhone or Apple Watch, open the Wallet app and tap the plus sign in the top-right corner. Tap Driver’s License and ID Cards, select your state from the list, and follow the on-screen steps to complete setup. Once configured, you can present the digital ID at participating TSA checkpoints and businesses without handing over your device.
You present an Apple Wallet ID by tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch on an identity reader. The reader will show the specific information being requested, and the device releases that information only after you authorize with Face ID or Touch ID. You do not need to unlock, show or hand over your device to present the ID in person.
Where Apple Wallet IDs are accepted
Apple Wallet IDs are currently accepted at TSA checkpoints in more than 250 U.S. airports for domestic travel. North Carolina’s DMV said that initial airport coverage in the state will include Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and advised travelers to check TSA signage to confirm availability.
The report and code evidence indicate the feature will come to Oklahoma, Utah and Virginia as well, but no timeframe for availability in those states has been provided. The number of businesses accepting Apple Wallet IDs remains limited, and Apple Wallet IDs are generally not accepted by law enforcement, so carrying a physical ID is still legally required for traffic stops.
