News

Oct 27, 2024

Iowa Mobile ID can now be added to Apple Wallet. What to know.

The Iowa Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that iPhone users of the Iowa Mobile ID app can now utilize Apple Wallet, expanding Iowan's access to keep a digital version of their license

The Iowa Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that iPhone users of the Iowa Mobile ID app can now utilize Apple Wallet, expanding Iowan's access to keep a digital version of their license or ID on their smartphone.

The Iowa Mobile ID app is free and optional for all Iowans to download. It can be found in the Google Play and Apple app stores. Iowans can present their ID in Apple Wallet in person at select businesses and Apple Store locations across the U.S.

Certain TSA checkpoints, including the Des Moines International Airport and the Eastern Iowa Airport, allow the mobile ID to be used for verification.

The announcement is the latest expansion of the Iowa Mobile ID program. Users with Samsung devices were able to add IDs to their Samsung Smart Wallet starting in July.

To add a license or state ID to Apple Wallet, open the Apple Wallet app and tap the "+" icon in the right-hand corner. Then, select "Driver's License or State ID" and follow the onscreen instructions to start the verification process.

To use an ID with Apple Wallet, users simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near an identity reader, review the requested info, and authenticate with the face ID or touch ID features or by selecting the "Verify with Apple Wallet" or "Continue with Apple Wallet" prompts.

During this process, you are not required to hand over your phone to present your ID.

First, download the app on your phone, scan your physical driver's license and take a selfie to verify your identity.

Next, set up app security, such as a passcode. Once set up, Iowa's Mobile ID uses a QR code for a contactless and secure way to verify your identity. The app also allows Iowans to be in more control of their information, as users have to approve requests for transactions before any information is shared.

Since its launch in October 2023, 32,000 Iowans have downloaded the Iowa Mobile ID app, according to a July news release from the DOT.

While the app keeps a digital version of an Iowa-issued driver's license or ID, it does not replace the physical card, and all Iowans should still carry their physical card.

While police departments can accept Iowa Mobile IDs at traffic stops, it is entirely up to individual departments whether they choose to do so, Iowa Department of Transportation spokesperson Toni Smith previously told the Register. For this reason, drivers should still carry a physical license with them.

More:Iowa Mobile ID is available for smartphones: Does it replace your driver's license?

A list of enrolled businesses can be found at on the Iowa DOT's website. Enrolled businesses can also be identified by an Iowa Mobile ID logo on their door or at the point of sale, though there is no requirement to display one.

Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.