Illinois residents can soon add state driver's license, ID to Apple Wallet

(WAND) - Illinois residents will soon be able to add their state driver's license or ID to Apple Wallet.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced that starting Wednesday, Illinois residents can securely add their Illinois-issued driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet and present their ID using their iPhone and Apple Watch.

Residents will be able to present the IDs and licenses in Apple Wallet in person, online and in apps at select businesses and organizations, including at TSA checkpoints at over 250+ airports in the U.S., including O’Hare, Midway and Lambert.

The Illinois Mobile ID program will soon expand to Google and Samsung Wallets.

“This is a game changer for Illinois residents,” said Giannoulias. “Your ID can live right on your iPhone — ready to use at airports, restaurants, and bars across the state. This launch brings together security, privacy, and convenience in a way that will make life easier for millions of people. We promised innovative solutions, and today, we’re delivering.”

"Driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet bring users one step closer towards replacing the physical wallet with an easy, secure and private digital wallet, and we’re thrilled to bring this to Illinoisans today,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. “The launch of Illinois driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet makes everyday moments even more seamless — whether you’re traveling through airport checkpoints this holiday season, grabbing a drink at a restaurant, and more — all while keeping users’ information secure and private."

“The identity verification process is the cornerstone of transportation security. Technology solutions such as mobile driver’s licenses enhance airport security, reduce touchpoints, and provide greater privacy protections to individuals at TSA checkpoints,” TSA Illinois Federal Security Director Jim Spriggs said. “We’re pleased to partner with the Illinois Secretary of State in this effort, and we hope passengers continue to take advantage of this convenient option.”

This is not a replacement for a physical ID. For now, residents must continue to carry their physical ID.

Illinois joins 12 other states and the territory of Puerto Rico that offer driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet to their residents.

How to add an Illinois driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet

Adding a license or state ID to Apple Wallet can be done by tapping the Add (+) button at the top of the screen in Wallet on an iPhone, selecting “Driver’s License or State ID,” and following the onscreen instructions to start the setup and verification process.

The resident will be asked to use their iPhone to scan their physical driver’s license or state ID card and take a selfie, which will be securely provided to the issuing state for verification. As an additional security step, residents will also be prompted to complete a series of facial and head movements during the setup process. Once verified by the issuing state, the resident’s ID or driver’s license will be added to Wallet.

Visit www.ilsos.gov/mobile for step-by-step instructions.

Using an Illinois driver’s license or state ID in Apple Wallet

Users can securely present their IDs in Apple Wallet in person, online and in apps to show proof of age or identity.

To present an ID in person, users can go to Apple Wallet and select their Illinois driver’s license and state ID in Apple Wallet. From there, they can hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near an identity reader, review the specific information being requested, and use Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate. Users can present their ID in Apple Wallet at select TSA checkpoints, businesses, and venues, in addition to Apple Store locations across the U.S. for order pickup, Genius Bar appointments, and more.

To present an Illinois driver’s license and state ID in Apple Wallet in apps and online, users can select the “Verify with Apple Wallet” or “Continue with Apple Wallet” button. From there, they can review the specific information being requested and authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID before information is shared.

Presenting an ID in a Secure, Private Way

IDs in Apple Wallet use the privacy and security features that are built into Apple devices to help protect a user’s identity and personal information. When adding an ID to Apple Wallet, the state-issuing authority receives only the information it needs to approve or deny the request.

Once an ID is added to Apple Wallet, the information is encrypted on a user’s device, so others, including Apple, cannot access it unless a user chooses to present it. Apple and the state-issuing authority do not know when or to whom a user presents their driver’s license or state ID. A user’s presentment history is encrypted and stored only on their device, and Apple cannot see or access this information.

When presenting an ID in Apple Wallet, only the information needed for the transaction is presented, and the user has the opportunity to review and authorize the information being requested with Face ID or Touch ID before it is shared. Users do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to present their ID.

The Secretary of State’s office is also launching a free Mobile ID Verifier app for businesses to check proof of age for restrictive purchases such as the sale of alcohol. The app streamlines age verification while protecting customer privacy. This app will be available in the Apple App Store starting Wednesday.

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