# Apple Wallet Digital ID

9 Hacker News commenters recommended Apple Wallet Digital ID and 12 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 4 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** People like that it presents only the information needed for a transaction, such as proof of age, and works while the phone is locked. Critics distrust Apple's closed platform and worry about police searches and government tracking.

## Why people recommend it

- Shares only needed information (2 comments): "The beauty of digital licenses (ie as implemented by iPhone) is you can restrict the information provided so e.g. a bar or grocery store only gets your age." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50000184)) "Only the information needed for a transaction is presented" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45904361))
- Works without carrying a physical ID (3 comments): "seems like it could be a nice choice for folks with passports but no desire to get pre or global entry" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45913760)) "Having my ID on my phone gives me convenience and doesn't take anything away." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45914541)) "if I need a digital ID, then this is the best solution" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47518909))

## What people warn about

- Proprietary, opaque platform distrust (3 comments): "Identity on mobile, proprietary platforms, whose level of complexity makes it humanly impossible to understand them even for governments themselves" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45905199)) "dependency on battery or storing sensitive data on non transparent (proprietary) device" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45924430)) "The fact that Apple remains a black box company means I can't trust them now" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45904996))
- Police may search the phone (3 comments): "You have no issues with handing over your cell phone to a police officer who pulls you over?" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45914833)) "they can legally search it as your ID and other pertinent information are there" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45916713)) "This will give them immediate probable cause to search my phone." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45916701))
- Not available outside the US (2 comments): "Doesn't seem to work if you are outside the US, it's not even an option to add." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45912689)) "if you live outside the US with a US passport, you can't use it" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45912745))

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Apple Wallet Digital ID", https://hackerapproved.com/p/apple-wallet-digital-id/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).