Illinois iPhone users trying to add their driver’s licenses and state IDs into their Apple Wallets may hit a snag in the process.
Beginning at 7 a.m. Wednesday, the Illinois Secretary of State rolled out digital IDs for Apple users, giving residents the opportunity to add their Illinois driver’s license onto their phones for use at airports, restaurants and bars.
About two hours later, messages started popping up on phones saying the service was down due to high demand.
“Thank you for your interest in adding your ID to Wallet,” an error message from an iPhone user obtained by NBC Chicago showed. “Due to high volume, your state’s service is currently busy.”
The message then gives users the option to be notified “when it becomes available.”
In a statement emailed to NBC Chicago, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office said acknowledged that the system was busy.
“Given the excitement, there is a high volume of interest in the Illinois Mobile ID program,” the statement said. “Apple has established a virtual queuing system to notify Illinoisans when they can add their driver’s license or state ID to their Apple Wallet.”
Later Wednesday afternoon, some iPhone users reported to NBC Chicago getting such notifications.
The rollout of digital ID cards added to Apple Wallets followed an announcement about digital IDs from Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias Tuesday. Samsung and Google phones are expected to be added by early next year.
“This is a game changer for Illinois residents,” Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said in a release. “Your ID can live right on your iPhone — ready to use at airports, restaurants, and bars across the state. This launch brings together security, privacy, and convenience in a way that will make life easier for millions of people.”
How do you add your driver’s license onto your iPhone?
IDs can be added by users to iPhones via Apple Wallet. According to the Secretary of State, IDs in Apple Wallet use the privacy and security features built into Apple devices “to help protect a user’s identity and personal information.”
And in order to add it, users must have Face ID settings turned on.
“Residents can tap the Add (+) button at the top of the screen in Wallet on their iPhone, select ‘Driver’s License or State ID,’ and follow the onscreen instructions to start the setup and verification process,” the Secretary of State’s Office said.
After selecting Illinois, a message pops up for those who may not already have the setting turned on.
Once that setting is turned on, users will be asked to use their iPhone to scan their physical cards and take a selfie, “which will be securely provided to the issuing state for verification.” Users will also have to complete a series of facial and head movements during the setup process as an additional security step, the Secretary of State’s Office said.
“Once verified by the issuing state, the resident’s ID or driver’s license will be added to Wallet,” the release said.
How secure is it?
In a January press release first announcing the law, Giannoulias’ office said it had planned to conduct safety testing ahead of the digital ID rollout.
“The office’s first step will be to develop the highest standards of security and conduct rigorous testing to ensure that residents’ sensitive information and privacy are protected,” the office said the release at the time. “The office will take advantage of best practices from states that have already introduced digital IDs and leverage new technology to implement the best and most state-of-the-art digital ID program in the nation.”
As part of the rollout, IDs in Apple Wallet use the privacy and security features built into Apple devices “to help protect a user’s identity and personal information,” the office said.
“When adding an ID to Apple Wallet, the state-issuing authority receives only the information it needs to approve or deny the request,” it added.
Once an ID is added, the information becomes encrypted on a user’s device. That means others, including Apple, can’t access it unless a user chooses to show it.
With mobile IDs and driver’s licenses, residents will be allowed to decide what personal information they wish to share through a contactless encrypted data exchange between their device and the reader, officials said. Such IDs will be able to be used in instances such as purchasing alcohol, cannabis or renting a car while hiding other personal information – like their address.
“Apple and the state-issuing authority do not know when or to whom a user presents their driver’s license or state ID,” the release said. “A user’s presentment history is encrypted and stored only on their device, and Apple cannot see or access this information.”
Some groups, including the ACLU, previously expressed concerns about the use of mobile identification documents, citing fears that law enforcement could search a person’s phone without proper consent. The measure in Illinois explicitly prohibit law enforcement officers from searching through a phone’s contents after viewing the mobile identification card, according to the legislation.
Where can and can’t you use a digital ID?
The IDs in Apple Wallet can in person, online and in apps to show proof of age or identity.
“Users can present their ID in Apple Wallet at select TSA checkpoints, businesses, and venues, in addition to Apple Store locations across the U.S. for order pickup, Genius Bar appointments, and more,” the release said.
In person, an iPhone or Apple Watch should be held near an identity reader. They’ll then have to review the information requested, and use Face or Touch ID to authenticate.
In order to use it online and in apps, users should “Verify with Apple Wallet” or “Continue with Apple Wallet” button.
“From there, they can review the specific information being requested and authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID before information is shared,” the release said.
According to Giannoulias, digital IDs can be used at both Midway and O’Hare International Airports, and at bars and restaurants. But they aren’t accepted by law enforcement.
“That means if you get pulled over, you’ll still need to show your physical ID card,” NBC 5 reporter Kye Martin said.
“You can use it in your Apple Wallet at TSA checkpoints, but you need to still bring your Real ID or passport to the airport,” Martin added. “You’ll just enjoy the convenience of not fumbling around for the physical card.”
Do digital driver’s licenses replace physical ones?
According to Giannoulias, the mobile driver’s licenses would not replace their physical counterparts, but instead “act as a companion.”
“We’re excited to reach a point where we can implement mobile IDs in a manner that ensures our roads are safe and that the privacy of Illinoisans is protected, while still providing law enforcement, businesses and medical professionals, which rely on physical driver’s licenses and identification cards, the information they require,” Giannoulias said in a previous statement.
According to officials with the TSA, the agency does accept mobile identification at airports, and the technology is in place at Midway and O’Hare. Still, passengers are encouraged to carry physical ID cards.
As for REAL ID-compliant cards, mobile identification is also able to be used in those situations, but again officials urge residents to bring physical copies of their identification.
The TSA does accept mobile ID’s in many situations, but it notes that “if a digital ID cannot be verified at the TSA security checkpoint, a passenger must use an acceptable physical identity document.”
The TSA also stated that the Real ID Act applies to state-issued mobile driver’s licenses and ID cards.
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