The Apple Wallet driver’s license still isn’t available everywhere, and two states just made it clear they aren’t in a hurry. Florida shows no sign of supporting it, and Rhode Island is holding off for now. Meanwhile, 16 states and Puerto Rico already work, so check your state before you leave your plastic card at home.
Here are the facts that matter most, in about ten seconds.
- Live now: 16 states plus Puerto Rico, per 9to5Mac’s tracker, last updated October 7, 2026.
- Holding out: Florida and Rhode Island, based on recent comments reported by 9to5Mac.
- Next in line: Utah, Kentucky and North Carolina, with no firm dates yet.
- Airport use: accepted at eligible TSA checkpoints, but not at every lane.
Why Florida and Rhode Island are holding back
Florida’s reason is political. Governor Ron DeSantis wrote on X on November 28, 2025 that “the convenience of a digital drivers license is outweighed by the potential for government to abuse it.” The state also ended its own digital ID in 2024, and 9to5Mac reports that Florida’s new license design arrived last week with no digital version announced.
Rhode Island’s reason is about demand. Walter “Bud” Craddock, who chairs the AAMVA International board, said on a podcast that he wants “more universal adoption or need” before spending money. He noted that the TSA is the main user today and that, until recently, no airport in New England accepted a mobile license.
He also prefers one solution that works on every platform, instead of separate work for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. His term ends within a few months, so 9to5Mac guesses a Rhode Island launch could come in 2027. That is a guess, not an announcement.
Which states offer an Apple Wallet driver’s license today
The table below groups states by where they stand. Dates for upcoming states are not confirmed by Apple or the states themselves.
| Status | States | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Live now | Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia, West Virginia, plus Puerto Rico | Per 9to5Mac’s list. Virginia and Oklahoma are the most recent additions. |
| Coming, no date | Utah, Kentucky, North Carolina | Appleosophy says Utah looks closest, and North Carolina expects Wallet support by early 2027. |
| Committed, no date | Connecticut, Mississippi | Both have promised support but have not given release dates. |
| Holding off | Florida, Rhode Island | Florida opposes digital IDs. Rhode Island wants more demand first. |
If your state sits in the first row, you can add your card today. Everyone else should keep using the physical license.
The gap exists because each state runs its own mobile driver’s license program. Apple can build the Wallet side, but a state has to sign off, update its systems and pay for the work. That is why the map fills in one state at a time, and why a new Apple Wallet ID can appear with little warning.
If you travel often, watch the states you fly out of. A launch in your home state helps, but what matters at the airport is whether the checkpoint reader works with it.
How to add your ID, and what to do if your state isn’t listed
You need an iPhone and a supported state. Open Wallet, tap the plus button, choose Driver’s License or ID Cards, and follow the verification steps. The app asks you to scan your card and take a selfie.
If your state isn’t supported, Apple’s Digital ID is a separate option built on your passport. It needs an unexpired U.S. passport, an iPhone 11 or later, iOS 26.1 or later, and your device region set to the United States. If you’re still on an older release, our guide to Apple’s iOS 27 upgrade push explains what changes when you update.
Apple is also tightening ID checks elsewhere in its apps. See what’s coming for Apple Cash ID verification on November 9.
Will the TSA accept it? Plan for a backup
Sometimes, but not always. 9to5Mac says state IDs in Wallet work at eligible TSA checkpoints, though acceptance can differ between lanes in the same airport.
Digital ID has started rolling out in beta at more than 250 U.S. airports, for domestic travel only. It is not a digital copy of your passport, and it can’t replace one for international trips.
The simple rule is to carry your physical ID anyway. A dead phone or a confused agent shouldn’t be the reason you miss a flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states support Apple Wallet IDs right now?
According to 9to5Mac, 16 states and Puerto Rico. They are Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia and West Virginia.
Can I leave my physical driver’s license at home?
No. Many places still ask for a card, and TSA acceptance varies by checkpoint. Treat the phone as a convenient backup, not a replacement.
When will Utah, Kentucky and North Carolina launch?
Nobody has given exact dates. Appleosophy says North Carolina expects Wallet support by early 2027, and Utah looks closest to launching.
Is Digital ID the same as a driver’s license in Wallet?
No. Digital ID is built from your U.S. passport and works for domestic TSA checks in beta. A state license in Wallet comes from your state’s DMV.
My take: check your state, then keep the card
Apple Wallet IDs are already useful in about a third of the country, and the list keeps growing. But the Florida and Rhode Island news shows that the holdup is now politics and demand, not Apple’s technology. If your state is live, add your ID for the convenience. If it isn’t, don’t wait on it, and keep your wallet card handy either way.
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