Apple’s Kevin Lynch Explains How IDs Will Work on Apple Watch in watchOS 8

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With the iOS 15 and watchOS 8 updates, Apple is allowing U.S. users to add their state ID cards or driver’s licenses to the Wallet app, alleviating the need for a physical ID card to be carried.

To start with, ID cards will be able to be added to the Wallet app in certain states, and Apple has not provided details on which states will be participating at this time. Apple also plans to work with the TSA to allow the digital ID cards to be used in lieu of a physical card.

“We’re early on this, obviously,” said Lynch. “”You’ll be able to have it in your Wallet. You can see your ID there like your other cards. And then you can present that if you choose to, for example, TSA.”

Lynch went on to explain that it’s similar to how Apple Pay works. “You can digitally present it,” he said, “and the information can show up for the person who is looking at your ID.”

Apple plans to manage which information is available to which person, similar to the Health app. Apple won’t be able to track where an ID has been shown, nor will the state that provides the ID be able to see that information. License information will be protected with a passcode, much like debit and credit cards.

Along with ID integration, Apple is adding new features that will let users lock, unlock, and start their cars from their Apple Watches in an expansion of the Car Key feature that’s already available. “It’s a lot of fun to be able to just walk up to your car and have it unlock and then drive,” said Lynch.

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