Google Wallet catches up to Apple Wallet for digital IDs

News
By Michael L Hicks
published

Three new U.S. states now allow you to upload your license and use it at select airports.

Adding public transit card to Google Wallet
(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Google Wallet has added digital ID support for Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia residents, joining Maryland.
  • You can use these IDs at select U.S. airports, but only with TSA PreCheck.
  • Apple Wallet also supports these four states. Other states use their own digital ID apps separate from either Google or Apple Wallet.

Android-owning U.S. residents living in Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia who want an official digital copy of their license are in luck: Google Wallet now allows them to add their digital IDs, and you can do so right now. 

Google first announced Google Wallet in May 2022, promising during its I/O keynote that it would soon enable digital IDs to substitute for a driver's license. Since then, only one state — Maryland — has supported the feature, and we began to wonder if the feature would ever expand.

Now, anyone in the above four states can open Google Wallet, tap Add to Wallet > ID Card, take photos of the front and back of their license or state ID, and film a short video of their face. After your request is approved, you can use your digital ID at TSA checkpoints at these airports. 

Google also says that "more options to use your US Driver's License or State ID are coming soon," but we don't have a timeline for how long it'll take or an idea of which locations will accept these licenses. For now, you'll still want to keep your physical driver's license on hand.

Currently, most of the best Android phones running Android 8 or later support the feature, but you must have a screen lock active, as well as Bluetooth and Nearby Devices turned on. Also, foldable phones currently don't support the feature. 

(Image credit: Android Central)

Apple added support for Arizona and Maryland in May 2022, Colorado in November, and Georgia this May, as states seem to be prioritizing iPhone owners first. 

Interestingly, while other states like Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Utah have appeared in Apple press releases claiming their IDs would be supported "soon," it hasn't happened yet. In theory, when (or if) they come to Apple Wallet, they should also come to Google Wallet.

Some states like California, Delaware, and Florida have chosen to create their own digital ID apps instead of relying on either Wallet app. So, it's possible that many states will never receive Google or Apple Wallet support. 

Meanwhile, Samsung Wallet just announced its own support for digital licenses and IDs, with Arizona and Iowa slated to be the first to allow the feature. 

Michael L Hicks
Michael L Hicks
Senior Editor, VR/AR and fitness

Michael is Android Central's resident expert on fitness tech and wearables, with an enthusiast's love of VR tech on the side. After years freelancing for Techradar, Wareable, Windows Central, Digital Trends, and other sites on a variety of tech topics, AC has given him the chance to really dive into the topics he's passionate about. He's also a semi-reformed Apple-to-Android user who loves D&D, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings.

For wearables, Michael has tested dozens of smartwatches from Garmin, Fitbit, Samsung, Apple, COROS, Polar, Amazfit, and other brands, and will always focus on recommending the best product over the best brand. He's also completed marathons like NYC, SF, Marine Corps, Big Sur, and California International — though he's still trying to break that 4-hour barrier.