California IDs to be available in Apple, Google wallets

( KRON ) — Californians will now have their state ID cards available on both Apple and Google wallets, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday.

"We're partnering with two iconic California companies – Apple and Google – to provide convenient, private and secure driver's licenses and ID cards directly on people's phones,” Newsom said.

The DMV says these digital IDs will be available to use at “select” locations. Some examples include “speeding through TSA PreCheck at SFO and LAX” or “controlling the information you share when purchasing adult beverages.”

"Whether using IDs in Apple Wallet to breeze through travel, or to securely verify age or identity at businesses, California driver's licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet make ID presentment seamless - all with the security built into iPhone and Apple Watch,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple's vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.

Despite its utility, Newsom’s office emphasized that the California DMV Wallet App “does not replace the requirement for individuals to carry a physical card,” claiming that the digital IDs are supposed to serve for better convenience and not a replacement for an ID as a whole.

“This is a big step in our efforts to better serve all Californians, meeting people where they're at and with technology people use every day,” Newsom said.

The DMV’s “Driver’s License (mDL)” program was piloted last year. After a successful test run with a lucky half a million California residents, the DMV, Google, and Apple advertised the program to more state residents on Thursday.

According to the DMV, the pilot is limited to 1.5 million participants, “so sign up today.” Interested participants can access the pilot program through Apple and Google app stores.

The DMV will also host two "hackathons" in the fall for innovators interested in improving customer experience with digital IDs.

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