Apple recently updated its website to reflect a delay in an upcoming iOS 15 and watchOS 8 feature that will allow users to add their driver’s license or state ID to their iPhone or Apple Watch in participating U.S. states. Previously, the tech giant said the feature would launch in late 2021, however, the updated web page says it has been delayed until early 2022.
Apple delays iOS 15’s digital IDs support until next year
In September, Apple announced that Arizona and Georgia would be the first two states to introduce the feature to their residents with Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah to follow. The company added that it was in discussions with other U.S. states, as it plans to offer the feature nationwide.
As of right now, Apple has not provided an exact release date for the feature beyond the early 2022 timeframe. We also know that the feature is not enabled in the latest iOS 15.2 beta.
After the feature is rolled out to residents in participating states, Apple said users will be able to present their driver’s license or state ID to TSA (Transportation Security Administration) from their iPhone or Apple Watch.
The initial process of adding a digital ID to Wallet is similar to adding a debit or credit card in the app. But for verification, users will have to take a selfie which will be “securely” sent to the issuing state. And to complete the setup process, users will have to follow a series of facial and head movements. After the issuing state verifies the cardholder’s credentials, the user’s ID or driver’s license will be added to the Wallet app.
Apple has even created a few authentication checks for users to securely present their IDs to TSA. Without handing their device to an official, users will be able to present their ID to the identity reader which will send a prompt on their device to display the specific information being requested by the authority. And to make sure that only the person who added the ID and just the required information is shared, the iPhone will seek Face ID or Touch ID authentication to release the information. “Users do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to present their ID.”
Read more:
