Google Wallet is fixing a real and outdated problem. It’s the fact that proving who you are still depends on a piece of plastic you can lose or accidentally leave at home. Adulthood hinges on carrying around a tiny card to convince people you’re old enough to buy a drink or board your preferred transportation method. Maybe that was dramatic, but Google’s app has finally addressed it. Wallet is turning your phone into a smarter and safer version of your leather purse, and here’s how.
Google says your phone is as good as your ID
In the UK, residents can now use their passports to create identity passes for verifying Railcard eligibility on Google Wallet. Down the line, it might even be acceptable for these IDs to work for alcohol purchases. In Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico, West Virginia, and other states in the US, Google is also rolling out support for adding government-issued digital IDs to the app.
Your ID is applicable on the official Railcard retailing platform. If you regularly travel by train, you can use your ID in Google Wallet to prove your eligibility for certain Railcards instead of a physical card.
In the example Google shared, the interface clearly outlines that your date of birth will be shared, but the platform you’re accessing won’t store it and other personal data without consent. The process is streamlined and secure, and allows you to complete age checks with a few taps on your phone. But you should take your time to go through both party’s privacy policies.
Additionally, Google’s also working on getting certified under the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s digital identity trust framework. If that goes through, it could open the door for your digital ID to be used in more places.
According to the company’s examples, imagine applying your ID at CVS and MyChart by Epic, verifying profiles on Uber, and doing more. This new feature adds to the previously introduced support for document scanning and auto-adding movie tickets.
Related: Samsung Wallet Upgrades Let You Pay Later And Tap To Send
More regions to go digital with Google Wallet
Now, typically, this information should be exciting news. But you’re not totally replacing your ID just yet. Not every officer or store is ready to accept digital IDs. In some case, the tech might be ahead of the rules, so you’ll still want to carry your physical card until adoption is more widespread… just in case.
Don’t be envious of the UK if you’re anywhere else. Google is extending the Wallet upgrade to the US. If you live in Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico, and West Virginia, you’ll soon be able to save your government-issued ID straight into Google Wallet. If you’re in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, or New Mexico, you’ll also be able to use it at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can renew your license or even update your records in a faster way.
It couldn’t be more perfect timing since the REAL ID deadline is creeping up. May 7, 2025, is around the corner. You won’t be allowed to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal buildings in the US using a regular driver’s license unless it’s a REAL ID-compliant license.
However, if you do have a valid US passport, you can create a digital ID pass from that passport and use it at the Transportation Security Administration for domestic flights at supported airports. It may not fully replace a REAL ID, but at least, you have a virtual alternative for proving your identity in travel settings when needed.
