Germans can now save their driver’s licenses on their iPhones but not in the Apple Wallet app. The updated “ID Wallet”, an app by Germany’s federal government enables citizens to carry their ID digitally.
At the WWDC21 event, Apple announced that iPhone users will be able to add their driver’s licenses and state IDs to the Wallet app in the iOS 15 update. It will allow them to easily present IDs at hotels, airports, and other venues and also reduce some weight from the physical wallets. However, the feature is only available in participating states in the United States. Currently, eight U.S states support IDs in the Wallet app: Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah. Until Apple expands the features to other regions, Germany has a solution.
ID Wallet is Germany’s alternative to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone
The ID Wallet app is a digital wallet that allows users to can digitally carry their diver’s license and basic IDs on their iPhone and to ensure safety, it can only be accessible by the user. The release notes read:
With this app it is possible to have the digital driver’s license certificate issued on the website of the Federal Motor Transport Authority or directly from the wallet. A German identity card with online identification function, the associated PIN or transport PIN and an EU card driving license are required for this.
Proof of driver’s license can in future be used, for example, by affiliated fleet operators or car-sharing companies in the driver’s license check; the services required for this are currently being developed.
The basic ID function, which is a proof of identity derived from the identity card, is now also activated for all German identity cards with an online identity card function.
The use of the hotel check-in to fill out the registration form is currently being tested at many participating hotels – this function will also be enabled for all users after the test phase has been successfully completed for the ID wallet.
ID Wallet app is available on the App Store for free. It is compatible with iPhone, iPod, and M1 Macs and requires iOS 14.0 or later and macOS 11.0 or later.
