Google Wallet adds Ohio to digital state ID rollout
The Android-based identity expansion integrates Zero-Knowledge Proofs to enable privacy-preserving age verification.
Google is expanding the availability of digital driver's licenses and state IDs within the Google Wallet app for Android users. The rollout aims to modernize identity verification by shifting traditional plastic credentials into a secure mobile ecosystem.
As of September 2026, Google has added Ohio to its list of supported states. To activate a digital ID, users must complete a verification process that requires photos of their physical identification card and a selfie video to confirm their identity. These digital credentials can now be used at select U.S. airport TSA checkpoints via NFC or QR code, although officials note that physical IDs must still be carried as a backup.
The shift to digital identity
This expansion arrives as part of a broader transition toward digital identity in the United States, coinciding with the May 7, 2025, REAL ID enforcement deadline. To provide more flexibility for travelers, Google now allows users to create an ID pass from a U.S. passport for domestic TSA travel. This serves as a critical alternative for individuals who may not possess a REAL ID-compliant driver's license but need to pass through airport security.
Privacy and industry implications
Beyond simple digitization, Google is focusing on the security of sensitive personal data. The company is implementing Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology, utilizing the open-sourced 'longfellow-zk' library. This technology allows for "privacy-preserving" verification, meaning a user can prove they meet a specific requirement—such as being over 21 years old—without revealing their full name, address, or exact birth date to the verifying party.
By standardizing this process, Google is attempting to reduce the amount of personal information exposed during routine offline and online interactions. This move signals a shift in how the industry handles identity, moving away from the "all-or-nothing" disclosure of physical IDs toward a more granular, permission-based system.
What to watch
While the number of supported states continues to grow, the adoption of digital IDs remains fragmented across different jurisdictions. The primary focus for users will be the continued expansion of TSA acceptance and the integration of ZKP technology into more everyday verification scenarios. It remains to be seen how quickly other states will adopt the framework to match the current rollout.