iPhone Driver's License Support Expands to Montana - MacRumors
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iPhone Driver's License Support Expands to Montana

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iPhone users located in Montana can now add their driver's licenses and IDs to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, allowing an on-device digital ID to be used instead of a physical ID.

montana digital id wallet app
The Montana Motor Vehicle Division launched Montana Mobile IDs today. The mobile IDs are able to be used for identity verification online, in-app, and in-person. Participating businesses can use Montana mobile IDs to verify the age of a user for an age-restricted purchase without the need for additional information like name, address, and birth date.

"We have spent the last three years modernizing MVD and improving operating efficiencies and customer service," MVD Administrator Laurie Bakri said. "Now that we have overhauled the basics, we are excited to embark on an era of innovation, starting with Montana Mobile IDs and the Montana Mobile ID Verifier for Android and iOS mobile devices."

Montana residents can add a license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app by opening it, tapping on the "+" button, and following the onscreen instructions.

According to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division, mobile IDs can be used at businesses and organizations that have opted to participate. The IDs are accepted at MVD exam stations with a check-in kiosk, and the TSA has confirmed that mobile IDs can be used at more than 250 TSA airports across the United States. By the end of this year, the Montana Highway Patrol should have the ability to verify mobile IDs.

Montana has launched a Montana Mobile ID Verifier app for businesses, making it simple for businesses to accept mobile IDs in the state.

Digital IDs on the iPhone and Apple Watch are not accepted everywhere, and Montana officials say that users should always carry a physical license as well.

Apple announced a new Wallet app that supported digital IDs back in 2022, but states have been slow to adopt the feature. Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, New Mexico, Iowa, California, Hawaii, and Ohio have implemented support, as has Puerto Rico. Apple has said that Mississippi, Illinois, Connecticut, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Utah, and West Virginia are working on support.

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Top Rated Comments

zach-coleman Avatar
zach-coleman
10 months ago

Still a completely useless feature until it can actually replace a physical ID.
Same thing was said about Apple Pay at the time, now it's almost difficult to find people that don't accept it, even vendors at farmers markets. (Where I live, at least.)
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
victorvictoria Avatar
victorvictoria
10 months ago

Awesome for the four people that live there!
Not really. Only one has an iPhone. The other three still rely on their party line phone on the wall.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
ChrisA
10 months ago

Same thing was said about Apple Pay at the time, now it's almost difficult to find people that don't accept it, even vendors at farmers markets. (Where I live, at least.)
Only people who don't accept it are beggars at freeway exits. But soon they will need to get on board, as people don't carry cash.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dontwalkhand Avatar
dontwalkhand
10 months ago
Awesome for the four people that live there!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
J
jaytv111
10 months ago

Imagine getting pulled over and only having your iphone license. Handing over your opened iPhone to the police is not the best idea. I'll still with the physical license, thank you very much.
Hey, we made it to page 2 before this bs came up, progress!

No, this feature doesn't have you hand your phone over to anyone. You scan your phone on a reader with this feature. It's like Apple Pay. You ever use Apple Pay? You don't hand your phone over to the cashier with Apple Pay. You scan it. It never leaves your hand. This is no different. It stays in your hand, you tap your phone, badda bing badda boom, stuff happens.

Police departments don't actually accept the Apple Wallet ID feature. They all require you to have the plastic. The TSA accepts it, at certain airports, in certain states, and sometimes in certain TSA lanes. You are still required to have the plastic for TSA, just in case there's a reader problem, or by the discretion of the agent they can ask you for the plastic.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
TaxiZaphod
10 months ago

Still a completely useless feature until it can actually replace a physical ID.
Translation: "I let the perfect be the enemy of the good."

As others have noted above: you have to start somewhere.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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