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On an eligible Android phone in a participating U.S. jurisdiction, open Google Wallet, tap Add to Wallet, choose ID card, then follow the prompts to photograph your ID and record a short verification video. The issuer must approve your submission before the credential is ready. Keep your physical ID with you: Google says the Wallet version is not a replacement.

Check eligibility before you start

Google’s current U.S. instructions require Android 9 or later, a Google Wallet account linked with Gmail, Bluetooth and Nearby devices enabled, and a screen lock. The identity credential option may not appear if the account or phone does not meet these requirements.

Google lists these participating jurisdictions: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, and Puerto Rico. Availability depends on the state or territory issuer, so check the issuer’s current instructions if your jurisdiction is listed but the option is unavailable. See Google Wallet’s instructions for adding an ID.

Add your ID in Google Wallet

  1. Open the Google Wallet app on your Android phone.

  2. Tap Add to Wallet, then select ID card.

  3. Follow the prompts to photograph the front and back of your state ID or driver’s license, then record a short video of yourself.

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  4. Review the consent prompt. With your consent, Google shares a photo from the video and ID information with the issuing government agency for verification.

  5. Wait for the issuer’s decision. A submitted application is not an approved credential. If the issuer asks for more information, follow the instructions in Wallet.

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If approved, the encrypted credential is saved on your device. Google describes the enrollment and verification process in its Google Wallet Help article.

Fix scanning or enrollment problems

  • For an unclear scan, keep the card steady or place it on a flat surface. Use good lighting and a dark background, and make sure the barcode is clear.

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  • Update Google Wallet. Google recommends restarting the phone after updating.

  • If the issuer rejects the application, review the in-app instructions and contact your state ID issuer for more information.

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  • If ID card does not appear, recheck the Android, Gmail-linked account, Bluetooth, Nearby devices, screen-lock, and jurisdiction requirements above.

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Know the limits of a digital ID

Keep your physical ID

Google’s warning is explicit: “A digital ID in Google Wallet is not a replacement for your physical ID.” Carry the physical card, and check whether the place you plan to visit accepts the digital credential.

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The credential is tied to one device

The ID is encrypted and stored locally on the phone, not as an exportable copy in your Google Account. One state ID can be saved to only one device at a time. If you replace, lose, or repair your phone, remove the credential from the old device first. Google documents removal in Wallet or remotely through the Google Account ID management page.

The phone needs to reconnect periodically

The device must connect to the internet to keep the credential up to date. After more than 30 consecutive days offline, the ID will not be available until the phone reconnects.

Check travel acceptance before relying on it

TSA acceptance is not automatic. Google says a digital ID that is not REAL ID compliant will not be accepted at TSA checkpoints for domestic travel. Check current TSA identification guidance and your issuer’s instructions before traveling.

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