Maryland is now the second US state to receive the IDs stored there apple wallet, But the handy feature has some limitations. The move comes nearly a year after Apple announced it would add software-level support for personal and government IDs found on its devices in the Wallet app. Previously, Apple’s pre-installed apps were a popular option for storing multiple digital cards and passports, but IDs were reserved for physical wallets. It can store everything from records to hotel room keys, and now it’s even more versatile in Maryland.
The feature was first announced in June 2021 at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple’s annual event that focuses primarily on upcoming software releases for iOS, iPadOS, WatchOS, macOS, and tvOS. At the time, the statement had no real impact: governments took the time to make this feature available to the public. However, there was a roadmap for the launch and several states were nominated as participants in the program. These include Arizona, Georgia, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah. In March, Arizona officially launched the program in its state, becoming the first country to host a third-party mobile platform. Maryland is now second, but with limitations.
According to the State Automobile Administration, Maryland added mobile ID support in May 2022, with real impact at two major airports. The feature is intended for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints at Baltimore Washington International Airport and Reagan National Airport. It works just like any other Apple Wallet card or swipe: the phone authenticates with a biometric code or password and connects to the Near Field Communication (NFC) reader. However, users are required by law to have a physical driver’s license or identity card, even after installing a digital card. In addition, the above TSA checkpoints are the only place to get a digital ID card. It is not currently accepted by law enforcement or third parties who may request identification.
Add a driver or state ID to an Apple Wallet
It’s surprisingly easy to get a driver’s license or Maryland ID in your Apple Wallet. The process starts with adding any type of card or swipe to your wallet, which you do by opening the app and pressing the “+” symbol in the top right corner of the screen. A list of different types of cards and passports will appear. Tap the option to add to your Maryland ID card wallet and the series of prompts will help the customer install the new feature. The app requires a clear, readable photo of the front and back of the physical card, as well as a photo of the person trying to install the feature. To verify that the cardholder is the same person adding the ID to the wallet, the app uses a process similar to calibrating the Face ID settings to ensure that the user is actually present and notified. Finally, the photo is taken and sent to the state MVA, which verifies the order.
Its functionality is limited not only for everyday use, but also for the devices and software it supports: Using a digital ID card requires an iPhone 8 or later with iOS 15.4 or later. It’s also available on Apple Watch, but only on Series 4 or later WatchOS 8.4 or later. Status ID can only be added to one paired phone and watch at a time, which has its security benefits, but can delay phone and watch updates. For now, the feature is more of a gimmick for most Maryland ID folks if the user doesn’t travel to BWI or Reagan National Airports very often. I hope the concept from Apple Digital IDs will become more useful in the future.
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
