TECHNOMALIST
Apple Wallet’s roster of supported digital driver’s licenses is set to grow, as North Carolina announces plans to eventually integrate with the iPhone’s wallet app.
The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles is developing its own mobile ID application, called NC Wallet, which will launch before any major wallet integration. According to Digital Trends, residents will initially use that standalone app to store and present a digital version of their driver’s license on their smartphone.
Support for third-party wallets—including Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet—is slated to follow in early 2027. That timeline means North Carolina residents will have to wait a bit longer for the convenience of having their ID in the same place as their payment cards and boarding passes.
Once the Apple Wallet integration goes live, users can expect a similar experience to Apple’s existing digital IDs in other states. Apple’s system allows users to control what information is shared during a verification, rather than displaying the entire license. For example, a user might choose to share only their age or name, depending on the situation.
It’s worth noting that North Carolina isn’t currently among the states with active Apple Wallet ID support, but this announcement puts it on the path to join that list.
The digital ID is intended as an additional option, not a replacement for the physical card. North Carolina’s mobile ID program is being developed alongside the existing plastic license, so residents won’t be pressured to leave their physical ID at home any time soon.
That makes the eventual Apple Wallet integration more of a convenience than a revolutionary shift. For iPhone users who already rely on their phone for payments, travel, and more, having a driver’s license tucked into the same digital wallet is a natural step forward—but one that probably shouldn’t tempt anyone to toss their physical license in a drawer just yet.
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