During its WWDC keynote presentation Monday, Apple showed off updates to the iPhone Wallet app in iOS 15 that may finally let it replace your actual wallet.
In addition to securely storing credit cards and discount codes, soon it will serve as a key to many locks as well as a virtual driver’s license.
iOS 15 Wallet app will replace various keys
The new update will let you use the app as a key to your house if you use smart locks. It may also substitute for your corporate badge to unlock doors for you at work.
Similarly, Apple is working with hotel chains to let Wallet take the place of physical hotel key cards.
Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Wallet and Apple Pay, said the functionality will be in place this fall to enable virtual room keys in “over 1,000 properties worldwide” at Hyatt properties, for example.
A new way to carry your driver’s license
The updated app will allow you to stop carrying your driver’s license if you want. You will be able to enter it, or another valid ID from a participating state, just as you currently enter credit cards. The same security will be in in place to protect your data and identity, Bailey said.
When enabled, the ID will function like a physical ID card, such as a Real ID. That will make the digital ID suitable to access domestic flights later this year, when regular driver’s licenses won’t cut it anymore. Real ID driver’s licenses or state-issued ID cards (or a passport) will be required for domestic flights as of Oct. 1.
Bailey said the U.S. Transportation Security Administration is “working to enable airport security checkpoints as the first place you can use your digital ID.”
