Arkansas residents can now add their driver’s licenses and state identification cards directly to Apple Wallet, allowing iPhone and Apple Watch users to present a digital version of their ID at supported locations across the United States.
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration announced the rollout on Wednesday, expanding the state’s Mobile ID program that first launched in 2025.
The move makes Arkansas the fifteenth U.S. state or territory to support Apple’s digital ID program.
Arkansas launches digital driver’s licenses in Apple Wallet
“We know a significant number of Arkansans are looking forward to adding their driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet,” said Jim Hudson, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, in a statement. “We are proud to work with Apple to make ID in Apple Wallet an accessible and convenient tool in our residents’ day-to-day.”
Residents can now securely store their identification inside Apple Wallet and use it for identity verification at select Transportation Security Administration checkpoints, participating businesses and certain in-app or online transactions.
In order to use the feature, residents first need to add their ID through the Wallet app on an iPhone or Apple Watch. Read the Cult of Mac guide on how to add your driver’s license to Apple Wallet.
When presenting their digital credentials, users double-click the side button on their device, select their ID and hold the phone or wearable near a compatible reader.
The new Apple Wallet support builds on Arkansas’ broader Mobile ID initiative, which already offered digital identification through a standalone state app and support for Samsung Wallet and Google Wallet.
Useful for travelers and more
State officials said the digital IDs are currently accepted at more than 250 TSA airport checkpoints nationwide. At this time, that’s the primary use for digital IDs.
Beginning this fall, Apple Wallet IDs will also be supported for eligible purchases at University of Arkansas athletic stadiums and arenas.
As police do not yet accept digital driver licenses, state residents should always carry their physical license. Especially while driving.
Privacy first
Arkansas officials emphasized that the system is designed with privacy in mind. Rather than handing over a physical card, users can share only the specific information requested by a business or agency. The data transfer is encrypted and handled digitally through the device.
Apple says users must authenticate the transaction with Face ID or Touch ID before any information is shared.
Other states that support driver licenses in Apple Wallet
Arkansas just joined a growing number of states embracing mobile driver’s licenses and digital identity systems. Apple first introduced support for digital IDs in Wallet in 2022, and the technology has gradually expanded as more states adopt the ISO standard for mobile licenses.
Those living elsewhere in the United States might check to see if they have a digital driver’s license option. As noted, they’re available from fourteen other states or territories:
- Arizona
- California (pilot program)
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Montana
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Puerto Rico
- West Virginia
Alternatively, U.S. citizens can create a Digital ID using information from a passport, no matter what state they live in. This is especially useful for domestic air travel.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh SE/30 (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer.
That’s because he’s a “tablet first” type of guy. Rather than use a Macbook, he connects a keyboard case to the iPad. And instead of a desktop Mac, he connects his tablet to a 27-inch display and full-size keyboard. (So don’t try to tell him that everyone has to use a Mac to be productive.)
Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
