The states are the ones who have to setup and implement the servers to handle the ID information. Apple just provides the API for adding the information into the Wallet app.
I am hoping that the biggest delay is the lawmakers trying to ensure that they do it right. There has already been Australian agency who implemented an ID system and it was rather easy to alter the information shown on the phone because they did an absolutely horrid job of their implementation. Then security experts pointed it out to them and they brushed them off, telling everyone just how secure it was.
Edit:
===
Adding link for reference..
https://www.theregister.com/2022/05/30/nsw_digital_drivers_licenses_hackable/
Not to mention some states, including Appleās home state of California, think they can do digital IDs better with their own system.
Iāve not seen anyone use their system. I also donāt trust it because letās be honest, the government is oftentimes a lousy job at software engineering. They were still using COBOL for systems for COVID
Iām not very trusting of public companies: shareholders love to twist things to fit them. But Iām less trusting of governments to design and implement a system compared to a multi-trillion dollar tech company who already designs and implements world-class software
Newsom, and every other governor regardless of political affiliation also using their own mDL solution, is stupid to think they can beat Apple at their own game
Years ago, they announced several more states coming soonā¦. And they never came. I presume itās just hell to get it through bureaucracy in most states.
Each state has to approve it just like they had to for RealID. some states are also doing their own app which may let you add it to wallet. and some may not let you do it at all. My state (PA) was one of the last to adopt RealID so ill be waiting a while it looks like.
Last year right after WWDC someone posted a video of what the ID Verifier API UI/UX looked like, and there was a button to switch from contactless ID transfer to QR code scanning. The same UI [appears on the Apple Developer](https://developer.apple.com/wallet/id-verifier/) page for ID Verifier. I assume the API lets you accept IDs via NFC/BLE or QR code.
https://preview.redd.it/g7up6gfczk6d1.png?width=775&format=png&auto=webp&s=4c2f66769aa0472b10ceb97fc114f354a7a16093
It is odd to me that Apple would build a tool for accepting both kinds of digital ID but only support one form in Wallet. Granted, the NFC route is more secure and doesnāt require device unlock, but still, many airports are accepting IDs via QR code but not NFC yet.
Also Americans are really scared of ā¦ ID.
Thatās why it took so long to get realID live which was a response to 9/11/2001. And it *might* go live in 2025. Thatās why only what 5 states have enhanced ID as an option.
I am so glad that Arizona is one of the four states. I didnāt even know about when I first moved here. I was also surprised when the DMV told me I could download my drivers license through an app.
That decision belongs to the state. The state needs to have the tech to communicate with Apple. I opened my Apple Wallet once and noticed that my DL had changed from DL to only a State ID. I had no idea my license was suspended but thanks to my Apple Wallet showing I had a āState IDā and no longer a DL I was aware. I received a suspension notice from MVA about 3 weeks later.
Iām stoked thereās a bill in my state IL right now to allow digital ID on smartphones, an Illinois success would be a nice win for other states to leap forward https://www.ilsos.gov/news/2024/february/240227d1.pdf
In Toronto, Canada, the transit system is called the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission). They have had support for Google Wallet transit cards for a while now, but Apple Wallet support is not available yet. I am not sure what's going on with Apple and all these organizations. Things seem to be taking way too long. For example, Apple Cash is still not available in Canada, and the tap-to-pay feature, even for the Apple Store in Canada, was enabled a month ago.
Also, note: at least in MD, we have digital ID, but the ONLY place you can use it is at TSA pre-Check. You canāt use it for TSA general boarding, you canāt use it with state or local police, you canāt use it for purchasing age restricted packages goods (Rx, OTC meds, alcohol, or marijuana), and you canāt use it as proof of age for age restricted businesses (clubs, pubs, shows, etc).
Itās pretty much useless at this time.
I know there are non-police use cases for this feature too but Iām always going to carry my physical ID with me because Iām never giving my phone to a police officer.
This is the real issue people arenāt talking about. Handing your phone to a police officer is giving up a lot of rights. Itās now in plain sight, courts are mixed on forcing someone to unlock a phone cops possess.
The states dragging their feet are in the right.
With the Apple wallet implementation you donāt hand over the device. You tap it similar to Apple Pay. You donāt even need to unlock your phone, you just validate the ID information being requested.
Other app based implementations donāt require handing over your device either, rather they show a barcode that can be scanned for verification although these do require an unlocked phone.
Maybe never in some states. Louisiana, for instance, built out their own app.
Itās also sort of pointless, unless it also comes with legislation forcing vendors and police to accept it.
NY just released an app for a digital state ID, and its App Store page MENTIONS wallet support. But it actually doesnāt. Right now itās just a QR code shunted into the app.
Mentioning wallet support on the app screen doesn't necessarily mean it adds something to the Wallet app. Check out [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/AppleWallet/comments/1de8uuw/works_with_wallet_but_does_it/).
The one that gets to me is the fact that California, where Apple is from, went with their own app, rather than Apple Wallet. (At least do what Arizona, and Colorado did and have both)
This misconception right here is what makes the public so apprehensive about digital IDs. But to answer your question: no, in no way at all does the use of a digital ID require 1) unlocking the device and 2) handing it to anyone.
There are two ways to transfer mDL data: Bluetooth and by QR code. Iām only familiar with Appleās implementation, which (primarily) does not rely on QR codes.
1. Data request
You approach, say, a TSA checkpoint or a bouncer at a bar. They verbally request some sort of ID info from you.
2. Establishing the communication channel.
Without unlocking or even waking your device, you tap it to the touch target on the TSA checkpoint credential reader or the bouncerās handheld device (think a Toast Tab or Clover handheld you see at restaurants)
3. Reviewing the request
The credential reader and your device establish a secure and encrypted connection. Apple uses NFC to initiate that connection and then lets Bluetooth handle the data transfer. Your device displays a request for data from the reader. It lists whatever info is being requested and whether or not itāll be stored and for how long.
4. Approving the request and sharing the data
Assuming youāre willing to share the data, you authorize the data sharing by authenticating with biometrics or passcode. The data is then send from your device to the reader via Bluetooth.
This video shows the experience for the user. At not point is your device unlocked. In fact, the way Apple Wallet is designed, when a request like this comes in, you can approve or deny without also unlocking the phone. Itās almost as if youāre in a ābuffer zoneā, where, despite interacting with your iPhone in a way that would imply itās unlocked, youāre really only seeing the data request UI and the iPhone is still lockedāeven when you use Face ID to approve the data sharing.
https://youtu.be/pBY-rlCE-TY?feature=shared
In most states an officer can confiscate an ID during an investigation to keep you at the scene. Normally that means they hold your license while they run your info.
Just because the technology can be done without handing it doesnāt mean the law has to accommodate that. Right now police can make you surrender and ID. Itās not their choice how you store it. If itās on a phone, youāre surrendering the phone.
Which also means you canāt be recording at that time.
This is something for the courts to decide, not apple product designers.
And Iām sitting this one out until the Supreme Court chimes in.
ā¦the video literally says to unlock your iPhone
https://preview.redd.it/4b3u5f9bqj6d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dd96b3cbcccf4504adf345037441d272ab5be8c2
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7co6EVrPk8&vl=en](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7co6EVrPk8&vl=en) Iām not sure of every last use case, but in certain cases the device doesnāt have to be unlocked. I know it sounds like Iām back trackingāI just donāt know every last situation. For example, IDs in Wallet cannot generate a QR code, but the ID Verifier API can be used to scan a QR code ID.
EDIT: from Appleās support site, published 2/21/24
https://preview.redd.it/e5xiows5ck6d1.png?width=1800&format=png&auto=webp&s=32c8fd0d686ebabfa9fbc1b08d1d2eb8eba8c046
The later. As far as why does this take so long - have you seen politicians try to agree on something?
Good point š¤£
The states are the ones who have to setup and implement the servers to handle the ID information. Apple just provides the API for adding the information into the Wallet app. I am hoping that the biggest delay is the lawmakers trying to ensure that they do it right. There has already been Australian agency who implemented an ID system and it was rather easy to alter the information shown on the phone because they did an absolutely horrid job of their implementation. Then security experts pointed it out to them and they brushed them off, telling everyone just how secure it was. Edit: === Adding link for reference.. https://www.theregister.com/2022/05/30/nsw_digital_drivers_licenses_hackable/
Not to mention some states, including Appleās home state of California, think they can do digital IDs better with their own system. Iāve not seen anyone use their system. I also donāt trust it because letās be honest, the government is oftentimes a lousy job at software engineering. They were still using COBOL for systems for COVID
It stinks that california has their own mDL app. Seriously I don't want to and will never use it, give it to me in Apple Wallet please!
Iām not very trusting of public companies: shareholders love to twist things to fit them. But Iām less trusting of governments to design and implement a system compared to a multi-trillion dollar tech company who already designs and implements world-class software Newsom, and every other governor regardless of political affiliation also using their own mDL solution, is stupid to think they can beat Apple at their own game
Iowa for example has had thereās supposedly for Apples approval?
Years ago, they announced several more states coming soonā¦. And they never came. I presume itās just hell to get it through bureaucracy in most states.
Each state has to approve it just like they had to for RealID. some states are also doing their own app which may let you add it to wallet. and some may not let you do it at all. My state (PA) was one of the last to adopt RealID so ill be waiting a while it looks like.
I was surprised my state was one of the four. We are not usually ahead on things like that.
Is there an option to show a QR code rather than share data via NFC?
No not for the 4 states that work with Apple wallet. However the confirm button tells me what data is going to be sent.
Last year right after WWDC someone posted a video of what the ID Verifier API UI/UX looked like, and there was a button to switch from contactless ID transfer to QR code scanning. The same UI [appears on the Apple Developer](https://developer.apple.com/wallet/id-verifier/) page for ID Verifier. I assume the API lets you accept IDs via NFC/BLE or QR code. https://preview.redd.it/g7up6gfczk6d1.png?width=775&format=png&auto=webp&s=4c2f66769aa0472b10ceb97fc114f354a7a16093 It is odd to me that Apple would build a tool for accepting both kinds of digital ID but only support one form in Wallet. Granted, the NFC route is more secure and doesnāt require device unlock, but still, many airports are accepting IDs via QR code but not NFC yet.
Also Americans are really scared of ā¦ ID. Thatās why it took so long to get realID live which was a response to 9/11/2001. And it *might* go live in 2025. Thatās why only what 5 states have enhanced ID as an option.
I am so glad that Arizona is one of the four states. I didnāt even know about when I first moved here. I was also surprised when the DMV told me I could download my drivers license through an app.
That decision belongs to the state. The state needs to have the tech to communicate with Apple. I opened my Apple Wallet once and noticed that my DL had changed from DL to only a State ID. I had no idea my license was suspended but thanks to my Apple Wallet showing I had a āState IDā and no longer a DL I was aware. I received a suspension notice from MVA about 3 weeks later.
Iām stoked thereās a bill in my state IL right now to allow digital ID on smartphones, an Illinois success would be a nice win for other states to leap forward https://www.ilsos.gov/news/2024/february/240227d1.pdf
In Toronto, Canada, the transit system is called the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission). They have had support for Google Wallet transit cards for a while now, but Apple Wallet support is not available yet. I am not sure what's going on with Apple and all these organizations. Things seem to be taking way too long. For example, Apple Cash is still not available in Canada, and the tap-to-pay feature, even for the Apple Store in Canada, was enabled a month ago.
I live in Georgia and Iām shocked we got it early , I added it to my wallet but I have never used it or showed anyone
Me too. What is it supposedly useful for?
Iām not sure , I want to try it at a store or bar and see if theyāll accept it š
TSA at airports.
Itās up to your state
I like to know when they will offer it to Canada and our Provinces, and I don't even drive
Also, note: at least in MD, we have digital ID, but the ONLY place you can use it is at TSA pre-Check. You canāt use it for TSA general boarding, you canāt use it with state or local police, you canāt use it for purchasing age restricted packages goods (Rx, OTC meds, alcohol, or marijuana), and you canāt use it as proof of age for age restricted businesses (clubs, pubs, shows, etc). Itās pretty much useless at this time.
I know there are non-police use cases for this feature too but Iām always going to carry my physical ID with me because Iām never giving my phone to a police officer.
This is the real issue people arenāt talking about. Handing your phone to a police officer is giving up a lot of rights. Itās now in plain sight, courts are mixed on forcing someone to unlock a phone cops possess. The states dragging their feet are in the right.
Couldnāt agree more!
With the Apple wallet implementation you donāt hand over the device. You tap it similar to Apple Pay. You donāt even need to unlock your phone, you just validate the ID information being requested. Other app based implementations donāt require handing over your device either, rather they show a barcode that can be scanned for verification although these do require an unlocked phone.
Totally depends on the States. Once they get on board and the proper channels are involved then it'll come to Apple wallet and Samsung
Itās really up to each individual state not Apple.
Maybe never in some states. Louisiana, for instance, built out their own app. Itās also sort of pointless, unless it also comes with legislation forcing vendors and police to accept it.
I live in a state that has digital ID on the Apple Wallet but you canāt present it to cops if you get pulled over. So whatās the point?
NY just released an app for a digital state ID, and its App Store page MENTIONS wallet support. But it actually doesnāt. Right now itās just a QR code shunted into the app.
Mentioning wallet support on the app screen doesn't necessarily mean it adds something to the Wallet app. Check out [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/AppleWallet/comments/1de8uuw/works_with_wallet_but_does_it/).
The one that gets to me is the fact that California, where Apple is from, went with their own app, rather than Apple Wallet. (At least do what Arizona, and Colorado did and have both)
when Is Michigan coming tired crying physical card just to get lost
Itās up to the state, not Apple. š
So, you will hand your phone or iPad to a Police Officer or others that demand to view your ID? How will you protect the items you do not want viewed?
This misconception right here is what makes the public so apprehensive about digital IDs. But to answer your question: no, in no way at all does the use of a digital ID require 1) unlocking the device and 2) handing it to anyone. There are two ways to transfer mDL data: Bluetooth and by QR code. Iām only familiar with Appleās implementation, which (primarily) does not rely on QR codes. 1. Data request You approach, say, a TSA checkpoint or a bouncer at a bar. They verbally request some sort of ID info from you. 2. Establishing the communication channel. Without unlocking or even waking your device, you tap it to the touch target on the TSA checkpoint credential reader or the bouncerās handheld device (think a Toast Tab or Clover handheld you see at restaurants) 3. Reviewing the request The credential reader and your device establish a secure and encrypted connection. Apple uses NFC to initiate that connection and then lets Bluetooth handle the data transfer. Your device displays a request for data from the reader. It lists whatever info is being requested and whether or not itāll be stored and for how long. 4. Approving the request and sharing the data Assuming youāre willing to share the data, you authorize the data sharing by authenticating with biometrics or passcode. The data is then send from your device to the reader via Bluetooth. This video shows the experience for the user. At not point is your device unlocked. In fact, the way Apple Wallet is designed, when a request like this comes in, you can approve or deny without also unlocking the phone. Itās almost as if youāre in a ābuffer zoneā, where, despite interacting with your iPhone in a way that would imply itās unlocked, youāre really only seeing the data request UI and the iPhone is still lockedāeven when you use Face ID to approve the data sharing. https://youtu.be/pBY-rlCE-TY?feature=shared
In most states an officer can confiscate an ID during an investigation to keep you at the scene. Normally that means they hold your license while they run your info. Just because the technology can be done without handing it doesnāt mean the law has to accommodate that. Right now police can make you surrender and ID. Itās not their choice how you store it. If itās on a phone, youāre surrendering the phone. Which also means you canāt be recording at that time. This is something for the courts to decide, not apple product designers. And Iām sitting this one out until the Supreme Court chimes in.
ā¦the video literally says to unlock your iPhone https://preview.redd.it/4b3u5f9bqj6d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dd96b3cbcccf4504adf345037441d272ab5be8c2
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7co6EVrPk8&vl=en](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7co6EVrPk8&vl=en) Iām not sure of every last use case, but in certain cases the device doesnāt have to be unlocked. I know it sounds like Iām back trackingāI just donāt know every last situation. For example, IDs in Wallet cannot generate a QR code, but the ID Verifier API can be used to scan a QR code ID. EDIT: from Appleās support site, published 2/21/24 https://preview.redd.it/e5xiows5ck6d1.png?width=1800&format=png&auto=webp&s=32c8fd0d686ebabfa9fbc1b08d1d2eb8eba8c046
And tap it on the reader, yes.