Ohio Residents Can Now Store ID Cards in Apple Wallet

Ohio has introduced a new way for residents to store their identification digitally through Apple Wallet. With this update, Ohio driver’s licenses and ID cards can now be added to Apple Wallet, but users need an iPhone 8 or newer running iOS 16.5 or later to access this feature.

Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted announced this new voluntary feature on Wednesday. It enables Ohio residents to keep their identification cards in their Apple Wallet and use them at designated businesses, certain apps, and at security checkpoints at John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

This initiative, driven by InnovateOhio and the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles in partnership with Apple, is currently available only to residents of Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, and Ohio.

To add your ID to Apple Wallet, follow these steps:

1.  Open the Apple Wallet app on your iPhone.
2.  Tap the + icon at the top right and select “Driver’s License or State ID.” Choose Ohio from the list, then follow the instructions to scan the front and back of your ID.
3.  You will be guided to capture various angles of your face for verification. This information is sent to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles for confirmation.
4.  Once the ID is successfully uploaded, your information is securely encrypted on your device, making it inaccessible to others, including Apple, unless you choose to share it.

You can then use your digital ID by holding your device near identity readers. Note that this digital version does not replace your physical ID; you must continue to carry your physical driver’s license or ID card.