Driver’s licenses are the de facto identity document for many U.S. citizens, and with good reason. They can be used for everything from entering bars to proving one’s identity to law enforcement. And, of course, if you’re flying domestically, they’re the most popular way to prove that you’re the person whose name is on that boarding pass.

For years, the goal for many was to have driver’s licenses available in digital form. They would have the benefits of more flexibility and faster automated updates. They can’t get stolen or misplaced as easily. Those reasons, in turn, would save people time and money.

Unfortunately, because the United States is a “patchwork” in terms of rules, regulations and priorities, the 50 states are in different levels of development in terms of digital driver’s licenses. Here’s the most updated list of states that offer official digital ID:

That’s only 15 states, which isn’t….great. However, the residents of those 15 states have been allowed to use their respective digital IDs at more than 250 TSA checkpoints around the country. And, even better, even once Real ID finally became a real, live requirement, TSA said that they could still use their digital drivers licenses.

But for the rest of us in the 35 other states? Too bad, so sad.

Until now.

Coming this fall

Apple just announced some happy news for this fall: a digital passport option in Apple Wallet. The feature will be part of the next iOS update, and will let users create a digital ID using their U.S. passport. And yep, just like a hard copy of your passport, it’s a legal REAL ID alternative (although there may be some TSA workers who still don’t know that).

“Digital ID offers a secure and private new way for users to store and present their ID information using their iPhone and Apple Watch,” Apple said in a recent release. “Users can seamlessly create and add a Digital ID to Apple Wallet using a U.S. passport.”

What about Android?

Android phones have actually had a one-up on iPhones for this – they’ve been able to store their passports digitally since late last year. Here’s how you do it:

Open the Wallet app of your Android 9+ and:

• Tap the Add to Wallet button
• Hit ID Verify
• Choose the ID pass/Passport (US) option
• Hit Get Started

Once you have your passport in hand, follow the prompts:

• Scanning the passport with your camera
• Scanning the security chip on the back cover using NFC
• Take a video of your face, to confirm your identity

Then, when you’re at a participating TSA checkpoint, tap your phone on the digital ID reader. On your phone, you’ll receive a message asking you to consent to share your digital ID information with the TSA.

The catch

Although you can use your digital ID at the 250+ participating TSA checkpoints for domestic flights, they can’t be used for international flights at this time – you still need the hard copy of your passport for that.

Friendly reminder

Although nearly everyone with a cell phone and a passport should be able to use digital ID by the fall, it’s still a good idea to have a hard copy with you. Not all TSA checkpoints have the technology yet. And again, not all TSA workers know what they should. So bring your approved ID with you as well, just in case.

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary

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