IDs in Apple Wallet: privacy and security overview

Learn how Apple protects the privacy and security of your personal information when you add and use a driver's license or state ID in Apple Wallet.

Apple Wallet provides a convenient, secure way to add and present your driver's license or state ID using just your iPhone or Apple Watch and uses the privacy and security features that are built in to your device to help protect your identity and personal information. When you add your ID to Apple Wallet, Apple uses the limited set of information described below to check for fraud, and the state issuing authority receives only information they need to approve or deny adding your ID to Apple Wallet. Once added to Apple Wallet, your lD information is encrypted on your device, so others including Apple can't access it unless you choose to present it. Your presentment history is encrypted and stored only on your device, and Apple doesn't retain any presentment information that can be tied back to you.

When you add your driver's license or state ID

When you add a driver's license or state ID to Apple Wallet, you're asked to take a picture of the front and back of your driver’s license or state ID, complete a series of head or facial movements, and take a selfie. The images of your ID and your selfie are evaluated for quality and encrypted on your device. The recording of your head and facial movements is evaluated by your device and by Apple to help reduce the risk of someone trying to add your ID to their device, for example by using a photograph, video, or mask.

The state issuing authority receives only information they need to approve or deny adding your ID to Apple Wallet:

  • Images of the front and back of your ID

  • Your selfie

  • Results of the analysis of the video of your head and facial movements, but not the video itself

  • Data read from the PDF417 barcode on your ID

  • A single-digit value, used to help prevent fraud, that’s based on your device use patterns, settings data, and information about your Apple ID

Aside from the data listed above, no other data from your device and no personal information about your Apple ID is shared with the state issuing authority.

Apple has temporary access to the following information during the ID set up and verification process:

  • A subset of data from the PDF417 barcode on your ID (name, address, date of birth)

  • Your selfie

  • The video of your head and facial movements

The subset of data from your ID is deleted from Apple servers right after sending your request to the state. Your selfie and the video of your movements are deleted from Apple servers shortly after the state issuing authority approves or denies adding your ID to Apple Wallet.

You’ll also be asked to perform a Face ID or Touch ID authentication to ensure that only the person who added the ID to this iPhone can present it. This occurs strictly on device and isn’t sent to the state issuing authority or Apple.

When you use your driver's license or state ID

When you present your ID, you can review the information being requested and who is requesting it. When you present your license or ID in person, after you authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID, your ID information is presented digitally through encrypted communication between your iPhone or Apple Watch and the identity reader, so you don’t need to unlock, show, or hand over your device. If your device is locked when you present your ID, it stays locked after you present your ID.

Information about past presentments — including where, when, and what personal information you share — is encrypted and stored only on your device. Neither the state issuing authority nor Apple can see your presentment history.

When you agree to help improve ID verification

When you add your driver's license or state ID to Apple Wallet, you're asked to share select demographic data (such as age range or sex) and the apparent skin tone from your selfie. This information is used to help Apple and the state issuing authority ensure fairness in the identity verification process. If you agree to share this information, it's shared with Apple in a way that isn't associated with your identity.

Apple will analyze the data that you share, along with the state issuing authority's decision about whether to issue you an ID card for Apple Wallet. This analysis helps determine if outcomes during the set up and approval process are different for groups of users.

Sharing your information is optional. If you agree to share, the information is collected in a way that helps preserve your privacy. No personally identifiable information will be collected, stored, or used by Apple or the state issuing authority as part of this process.

  • For 90 days after you add your license or ID to Apple Wallet, Apple will collect from your device the attributes that you've agreed to share and retain the information as part of this process.

  • Before your information leaves your device, it's protected by differential privacy — a privacy-preserving mechanism that allows Apple to gather insights from patterns of groups of data.

  • After 90 days, the data from your device is no longer available to Apple.

You can opt out of sharing this data at any time during the 90-day collection period: Open the Settings app, then tap Privacy & Security. Tap Analytics & Improvements, then turn off Improve ID Verification.

Learn More

  • For more detailed information about how your data is managed when you add your ID in Apple Wallet, visit Identity & Privacy.

  • To learn more about advanced security features in Apple products, visit Apple platform security.

  • Information collected by Apple is always treated in accordance with Apple’s Privacy Policy.

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