Late last year, Google Wallet was slowly beginning to gain support for state-issued IDs. This week, it’s now appearing that the service is supporting a total of four states, having quite recently only supported IDs issued by Maryland.
The four states now present and supported in Google Wallet are Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Maryland. The inclusion of these new states means many, many more people now have access, considering there are some major US cities inside of those states. Naturally, small text inside of Google Wallet says more states are coming soon, but ultimately, it’s up to the states to decide who gets access. Oregon, I’m waiting.
If you live in a state that supports this feature, we’d love to hear from you in the comments. If you sign yourself up, tell us about the process. Is it easy to use? Will you be concerned the first time you get pulled over and attempt to use it with a cop?
Sweet.
// @xeno_x19
Im in one of the states. We also have a state app but that is only good for in the State. I hope this will be recognized nation wide and not just in the state.
I’m a NYer and I want my state to hurry up and get to digital ID because I don’t need to carry any cards: I tap to pay everywhere, including OMNY on public transportation, and only need a MetroCard if I’m going on PATH, which hasn’t yet joined the 21st century.
There’s no reason police need you to have your physical ID on you. It’s just some info that verify/query further in a database. No reason that database can’t be proffered digitally for their online lookup without any physical object. You could do so securely and also allow private businesses and other organizations that require less access to your ID than law enforcement to still have the ability to verify that the information you provide (as little as your name and picture, or as much as that and your address and birth date, etc.) is valid and genuine. As simple as a QR Code that changes every 30 seconds (same as current authenticator apps) for an unsecured database that anyone can look at any time to get a “VALID” response to a configurable set of data/pics that you select on screen before turning over your device. And then they would be unable to look it up again without access to your time-linked QR code. Easy AF.
I’m ready to only need to carry phone and keys and not have to carry anything else. Come on, Albany.
I’m a NYer and I want my state to hurry up and get to digital ID because I don’t need to carry any cards: I tap to pay everywhere, including OMNY on public transportation, and only need a MetroCard if I’m going on PATH, which hasn’t yet joined the 21st century.
There’s no reason police need you to have your physical ID on you. It’s just some info that verify/query further in a database. No reason that database can’t be proffered digitally for their online lookup without any physical object. You could do so securely and also allow private businesses and other organizations that require less access to your ID than law enforcement to still have the ability to verify that the information you provide (as little as your name and picture, or as much as that and your address and birth date, etc.) is valid and genuine. As simple as a QR Code that changes every 30 seconds (same as current authenticator apps) for an unsecured database that anyone can look at any time to get a “VALID” response to a configurable set of data/pics that you select on screen before turning over your device. And then they would be unable to look it up again without access to your time-linked QR code. Easy AF.
I’m ready to only need to carry phone and keys and not have to carry anything else. Come on, Albany.
I hope NY gets in the act soon…
No, because I will always continue to carry my very slim/minimalist wallet with ID, debit card, and a couple of credit cards with me. Cards on my phone/watch are in additional to the physical cards on my person is more for convenience not reliability.
No thanks
This seems redundant for those who already have State ID apps.
Nothing like giving google more of your personal information…not like they probably don’t already have it.
I’m in one of those states and I just did it. It has you scan the front and back of your license, take a video where they have you move your head up and down and side to side, then it gets submitted to the DoT in my state for approval. I assumed that would take a few days. It was approved in about 5 minutes. In the app I can see all of my details after using my fingerprint. That includes the photo and signature from my DL.
Now I guess I can use NFC or a QR code to connect Wallet to an ID scanning device by bluetooth. I’m curious where I’ll be able to use it. I just took a trip by airplane and I have a subscription to Clear which lets you verify your identity with your eyes or fingers rather than needing to show TSA your ID. On both the outbound and return flights I got randomly chosen for an ID check. I’m not sure I would be able to use my phone in that instance. When you check a bag, they ask to see your ID to make sure it matches the name on the bag check tag but again, I’m not sure they would or could accept a digital ID.
Overall I like this as an option. After 9/11 things got buttoned up so tight and two decades later we’re still letting the slack out. Things like this are a sign that things are moving in the right direction. But there are still those policies that are just theater. Like, my wife forgot to empty like 2 oz of water from her bottle, the straw didn’t reach all the way so she thought it was empty. TSA made her go back out of the secure area to drink it, or dump it, but she couldn’t do either option standing there in front of the man. What is that even hoping to accomplish? Seems like it’s more punative than functional. “We’ll teach those little scamps not to forget to drink the last of their water! Make them stand in line again and THEN see if they forget next time.”
Virginia DMV Communication Head stated late summer/early fall 2023…. But go figure not a peep since her statement in june of this year. Augh government ineptitude. always take the over on anything they say.
Hi officer, sure you can take my unlocked phone back to your car …
Bingo.
I like the idea of the digital ID in theory but I can’t imagine it being practical or usable in anyway.
Maybe in the future when it’s more common. But can you imagine trying to use this ID at like the airport or for anything official? Sure, it might work but we’re a long way from not being able to also have your physical ID with you.
I’ve used it at DCA several times and it works great. There’s a little hub I hold the ID up to and they get all of the info and boom. That’s it.
Sure thing grandpa. Tell me more about how NFC payments not being practical.
I think the idea is that your phone sends the ID info over bluetooth to a device that you approve by using NFC or having it scan a QR code. The officer would have to have an ID reader device at your car window for this to be an option. You still need to drive with your license on you.
Yup, I think it will be used for QR code/scannable, but like you said, every officer would have to have these scanners on them. If not then they’d have to take your phone. I think this will really useful once it’s available in every state and more people are using it. I wouldn’t want to be one of the first adopters until they work everything out and it’s more mainstream though.
That’s not how it works. Educate yourself before you start bashing your ignorance against the wall
you need a hug bro?
Get familiar with Lockdown!
Interestingly it is still not showing up on my 8Pro but it is showing up on my 7Pro. Little annoyed with that haha. I live in one of the new states added, so I would love to set it up.