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Mobile identity credentials and data sharing

What mobile IDs share during enrollment and use

State mobile licenses and passport-based wallet credentials have different issuers, sharing controls, device histories and limits. Review the credential and requested information.

Sources checked .

Conceptual illustration

A state mobile license has an issuing authority

Apple says the issuing authority decides whether to approve a license in Wallet. Availability and acceptance are limited to participating jurisdictions and supported uses. A wallet credential is not a universal replacement for a physical ID. The issuer's license decision is different from the phone's authentication step. Apple: state license issuer, device history and acceptance limits

Passport-derived credentials have a different scope

Apple says its Digital ID is derived from a U.S. passport but is not a government-issued passport or a replacement for one at an international border. Its current instructions also distinguish presentation defaults: All ID Information can send requested fields without additional consent at the reader, while With Review displays the requested information. Apple: passport-derived Digital ID and presentation modes

Enrollment data and later presentation are separate

Apple's privacy overview describes ID images, a selfie and verification information used during state-ID enrollment. It separately describes passport-chip data and images used to issue a Digital ID. Its encrypted, on-device presentation history is a different record from the information a recipient requests during a presentation. Apple: ID enrollment, presentation and privacy choices

Google state-ID enrollment sends information to the issuer

Google says state-ID enrollment uses images of the ID and a face video. With consent, ID information and a face image are shared with the government issuer. Google records that consent. The resulting credential is encrypted on the device; this does not mean no information was processed during enrollment. Google: state-issued mobile license and ID data

A Google ID pass has its own verification and history

Google's passport-based ID pass instructions describe passport scanning and a face video. Where offered, automated matching creates face templates; a manual review option is also described. The pass is stored on the device. Its optional activity history records who received information, what was shared and when, and is off by default. Google: passport-based ID pass, presentation and local activity

Private pass does not mean every pass has the same controls

Google distinguishes private passes from event or transit passes. They may require identity verification to view or use. Some private passes have a Use private pass across Google setting, but Google explicitly says digital IDs and some partner-issued passes are managed differently. Google: private passes and digital-ID exceptions

Removing a device credential is a separate action

Apple documents removing an ID from Wallet on a phone or from a paired Watch. That device action should not be treated as deleting an issuer's underlying license record or information already shared with another organization. The removal instructions describe the credential in Wallet. Apple: removing a device ID credential

Questions and answers

Does Apple Digital ID replace a passport at a border?

Apple explicitly says it does not. Apple: passport-derived Digital ID and presentation modes

Does encrypted storage mean Google never receives enrollment information?

The state-ID help describes images, issuer sharing with consent and a record of consent. Google: state-issued mobile license and ID data

Does every private Google pass have the same cross-Google switch?

Google identifies digital IDs and some partner-issued passes as exceptions. Google: private passes and digital-ID exceptions

Sources and scope

Public Apple and Google documents checked 10-24-2026. State mobile licenses, Apple Digital ID and Google ID pass are distinct credentials. Issuer, software, region, recipient and presentation mode affect what is available and accepted.

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