One of the main features of Google Wallet is the ability to store cards, and the Android-specific app will soon get support for California ID cards, as well as Driver's Licenses. This will soon be available for Android users to take advantage of after the initial rollout of California's identification cards to the Apple Wallet for iPhone, allowing digital copies.
Using digital copies available on one's device on state ID cards allows for an easier and hassle-free experience should one forget their wallet or ID storage bags.
Android's Google Wallet Adds California IDs, Driver's License in Beta
Google
The latest beta testing of Android's Google Wallet app has added support to California IDs and driver's licenses, according to a report by 9to5Google. With this availability, it will soon be offered for the general public in the Golden State to use where it is eligible to be used, opening massive compatibility to different kinds of state IDs.
It was noted by a report that California IDs and driver's licenses would be available to use on selected TSA terminals only, including the San Francisco International Airport, San Jose Mineta International Airport, and the Los Angeles International Airport.
Users only need to press the 'Add to Wallet' button on the Google Wallet app and choose the 'ID Card' category to proceed.
California has its Own Digital ID App but is Coming to Google
Currently, California only has this beta testing available among its state DMV employees. Despite this availability to Google Wallet, the state also has its California DMV Wallet app which could store the mobile driver's licenses, but would not need both to use the digital experience.
However, it was revealed in the report that California would still require users to bring their physical IDs with them.
The Abundance of Storing Digital IDs to Smartphones
The earliest iteration of Android's Google Wallet accepting ID cards and other types of identifications started in December 2022 in an update that the internet company introduced to the app. However, they were still working with specific states in preparing the service to keep IDs and have checkpoints or entry points adhere to this type of use.
Among the first states to offer support for digital state IDs and driver's licenses for the Google Wallet app were Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia, with the service already accepting these types of IDs to be used. One of the main focuses of digital IDs is for TSA (Transportation Security Administration) checkpoints, centering on airports but for domestic flights only.
While digital IDs are widely available to the public, it is rolling out depending on the states that support them, as others like California and New York first opted for their apps to use for this experience. That being said, California is making a move towards the digital space by adding support to its state, with Google Wallet on Android capable of storing the state's IDs and driver's licenses.
