Apple Wallet’s driver’s license feature is expanding to four additional states: North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, and Virginia. North Carolina reportedly has the most concrete timeline, with residents able to set up a digital ID through a new NC Wallet app starting in December 2026, followed by Apple Wallet support in early 2027.
North Carolina’s DMV has announced that the mobile ID program is expected to launch through the NC Wallet app in December, with Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet integration to follow in early 2027. The state’s DMV acknowledged the practical reality of adoption: “Your mobile ID is a valid form of identification in North Carolina,” but noted that “as retailers, restaurants and other businesses transition to mobile IDs, some may not be set up to accept them right now. For now, carrying your physical card gives you a backup when needed.”
The other three states reveal a different picture of development maturity. MacRumors discovered signs of Apple Wallet ID support for Oklahoma, Utah, and Virginia in Apple’s backend code, but none of these states have announced a launch timeframe. Oklahoma appears furthest along legislatively: a House bill passed in March 2026 gave Service Oklahoma authorization to issue mobile or digital versions of state identification cards, driver’s licenses, and permits, with input from Apple. Utah already offers a standalone mobile driver’s license app, though without Apple Wallet integration.
Apple Wallet IDs Now Coming to 18 States and Puerto Rico
This announcement marks continued momentum following a significant acceleration in 2025 and 2026. Montana joined in August 2025, followed by North Dakota in September, West Virginia in October, and Illinois in November. Arkansas became the newest addition in May 2026. With these four states, Apple Wallet IDs will be available in 18 states and Puerto Rico.
The expansion also comes alongside Apple’s Digital ID feature, unveiled in iOS 26. Digital ID allows users to create an ID in Apple Wallet using information from their U.S. Passport, offering a solution that does not depend on state-by-state partnerships.
Real-World Adoption Still Lags Behind Rollout
Despite the expansion, practical utility remains constrained. Apple Wallet IDs are not accepted by law enforcement, and many businesses are not yet equipped to accept them. The feature is currently accepted at TSA checkpoints in more than 250 U.S. Airports for domestic travel, where users can authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID and control which information is shared instead of handing over their physical ID.
North Carolina’s own acknowledgment that businesses and retailers may not yet accept mobile IDs shows the gap between Apple’s rollout timeline and actual merchant adoption. The feature will likely function as a convenience option rather than a primary form of identification in the near term.
