Apple’s iOS 26 is shaping up to be a major update to the iPhone maker’s operating system, with a bunch of cool new features announced on June 9 at its Worldwide Developer’s Conference.
Some people don’t like the look of iOS 26, which comes with a new design language called Liquid Glass. However, iOS 26 looks like it will be very capable, with headline features including enhancements to Apple Intelligence AI features and the ability to screen calls and messages.
Now, another new iOS 26 feature has emerged courtesy of Apple-focused site MacRumors — a Verify with Wallet on the Web option. This new iOS 26 feature works exactly in the way it sounds: You will be able to use your state-issued license or digital ID to verify your age and identity online in a secure way when doing things such as buying liquor or renting a car.
In practice, this means you don’t have to upload your photo ID such as your passport, which contains details such as your date of birth and name, to a website.
Apple’s iOS 26 feature can verify your identity instead and the iPhone maker will also inform you of how the data will be used and let you know if the information will be stored by the site.
The whole process is protected by end-to-end encryption, the gold standard of security which means no one can see your data, including Apple, the website and the government.
This capability is already possible in apps, but Apple is expanding it to the web through support for the W3C Digital Credentials API and the FIDO CTAP protocol, MacRumors explains.
From iOS 26, the web-based ID verification feature will work in Safari across all your Apple devices, as well as in other browser apps and via operating systems that offer support.
The Digital ID feature in iOS 26 allows you to store state issued IDs and licenses as well as passports to verify yourself online. Other features include the ability to scan a QR code on your iPhone and authenticate via Face ID to share your Digital Wallet information with a website. Meanwhile, Apple will add support for third party apps that support licenses.
The Verify with Wallet on the Web feature in iOS 26 ensures you can’t use fake IDs by ensuring they are cryptographically signed.
The iPhone maker has announced the initial apps that will support Verify with Wallet on the Web, including Uber Eats, Turo and U.S. Bank. At the same time, Arizona MVD, Georgia DDS and Maryland MVA will add support for their digital ID apps, MacRumors says.
Apple’s iOS 26 will be available this Fall, when Apple launches its new iPhone devices.
