Arizona, Georgia, and Colorado Add Support for Digital IDs in Google Wallet

pcmag.com:

If you want to flash your smartphone rather than pulling out a driver's license at the airport, three more states this week added support for the functionality on Android.

Colorado, Georgia, and Arizona have officially added support for digital IDs in Google Wallet. All three previously added support for Apple Wallet, but digital IDs will now work on Android devices, too. Maryland is the only other state to support both wallets; it added Apple Wallet support in 2022 and Google Wallet support in June 2023.

If you live in any of those states, you can add your ID to Google Wallet right now. Simply open the app, click the Add to Wallet button, select ID card, and tap Get Started. From there, select your state and follow the instructions to get your ID card added.

For now, IDs are accepted at select TSA checkpoints. It's possible to use a digital ID while buying things like alcohol, but it's up to the individual shop as to whether or not they accept it. In addition, it's a good idea to keep your physical ID card on you, since digital IDs are generally considered an additional rather than primary form of ID. You'll still need the physical card at traffic stops as well, at least for some states.

Nearly 30 states are actively working on supporting digital IDs, according to 9to5Mac. Thus, it's likely that we'll see a spike in adoption over the next few years. Samsung Wallet is also getting in on the action, with Arizona and Iowa being the first states to roll it out later this year. (That will make Arizona the first state to support digital IDs from Apple, Google, and Samsung.)

In addition, there is wider support for digital IDs outside of the mobile space. Stores that have age-restricted items and some law enforcement