Apple Makes It Easy For Travelers To Identify KTP And SIM With Digital Wallets

Users to show their state ID card and digital SIM on their iPhone or Apple Watch. (photo: apple)

JAKARTA - Apple today announced that it is working with several countries to add state ID cards and digital SIM users to Apple Wallet that resides on their iPhones and Apple Watches.

Arizona and Georgia will be the first states to introduce this new innovation to residents, followed by Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will activate checkpoints and security lines at selected participating airports.

According to Apple in an official statement, Thursday, September 2, Wallet provides a more secure and convenient way for users to show their state ID card and digital SIM on their iPhone or Apple Watch.

The company also said it was supplementing the ISO 18013-5 mDL standard, where Apple has set clear guidelines for the industry around protecting consumer privacy when showing an ID or driving license via a mobile device.

"Adding state ID cards and driving licenses to Apple Wallet is an important step in our vision to replace physical wallets with mobile wallets that are secure and easy to use," said Jennifer Bailey, Apple vice president for Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.

TSA Administrator David Pekoske said the new digital ID and SIM initiative will enable a smoother airport security screening experience for travelers.

"This initiative marks a major milestone by TSA to provide an additional level of comfort for travelers by enabling more opportunities for touchless TSA airport security screening," said Pekoske.

Once participating states begin offering this capability to their residents, users will be able to add state ID cards and digital SIMs to Wallet by simply tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch to show them to the TSA, without removing their physical card or handing over their device.

Here's how to add a state ID and digital SIM to Apple Wallet:

- Tap the + button at the top of the screen in Wallet on your iPhone to start adding a license or ID card.

- If users pair their Apple Watch to their iPhone, they will also be asked to add their ID or SIM to the Wallet app on their Apple Watch.

- Users will then be asked to use their iPhone to scan their physical SIM or state identity card and take a selfie, which will be securely provided to the state for verification.

- As an added security measure, users will also be asked to complete a series of facial and head movements during the setup process. Once verified by the issuing country, the ID card or driver's license will be added to the Wallet.