In 2026, using your phone as a legal ID is becoming a standard reality across many regions, though acceptance depends on your location. In the United States, more than 15 states now support Mobile Driver’s Licenses (mDLs) in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, which are increasingly accepted by the TSA at major airports for domestic travel. In Europe, the EU Digital Identity (eID) Wallet is being rolled out with a goal for all member states to offer secure digital identification by the end of 2026, allowing citizens to prove their identity for both public and private services. In the UK, while there is no compulsory government digital ID, private "reusable ID" apps are widely used for age verification and employment checks. A high-value "pro-tip" for 2026 is to always carry your physical ID as a backup; while digital IDs are great for "tap-and-go" situations, many smaller businesses, international border guards, and law enforcement agencies in rural areas may not yet have the specialized hardware required to verify a digital credential securely.