Overview
- Illinois mobile driver’s licenses and state IDs went live at 7 a.m. Wednesday for iPhone and Apple Watch users, with Google and Samsung rollouts planned in the coming months.
- Digital IDs are accepted at more than 250 TSA checkpoints, including O’Hare and Midway, and at participating businesses that opt in using a free verifier app from the Secretary of State.
- Enrollment requires scanning the physical card, taking a selfie and completing head‑movement prompts; presentation uses Face ID or Touch ID with selective data sharing and on‑device encryption.
- Physical cards remain necessary in many situations, law enforcement is not required to accept the mobile version, and Illinois law bars police from searching a phone after viewing a mobile ID.
- Shortly after launch, some users saw a “service is currently busy” message due to high demand; officials said activation would roll out in phases throughout the day and advised trying again.