Quick game plan (what I cover)
- How I set it up
- Where it worked for me
- Where it didn’t
- What I wish it did better
- Who it’s good for
My take after 90 days
I’m Kayla, and I’ve been using Arkansas Mobile ID on my phone for three months. I still carry my plastic card, but I wanted to see if this could be my daily thing. Short answer? It’s helpful, sometimes lovely even, but not a full swap yet.
You know what? It’s closer than I thought.
What it is (and what it isn’t)
This is a state app called Arkansas Mobile ID. It shows your driver’s license on your phone. It’s not Apple Wallet. It’s its own app. No watch support either.
It’s good for age checks and quick ID checks. It is not accepted at the airport. And if a cop pulls you over, they may still ask for the plastic. So don’t toss your wallet. For a deeper dive into why you still need the physical card, check out this Arkansas Advocate report.
Setup: easy… if your selfie cooperates
- I downloaded the app on my iPhone.
- I scanned the back of my driver’s license.
- Then I did the selfie “liveness” thing. Turn your head. Blink. Try not to look weird.
My first try failed because my glasses had glare from the kitchen lights. I moved by a window, took them off, and it went through in under two minutes. The app set a six-digit PIN and Face ID. I liked that part. Simple and clear.
For comparison, the onboarding flow for Arizona’s program felt almost identical—here’s the full play-by-play if you want to see where it differed.
Tip from me: wipe your camera lens. And don’t stand under bright LEDs. They throw off the scan.
Real places I used it (and how it went)
I live near Little Rock but I’m in Fayetteville often. I tested it like I actually live life, not in a lab.
- A bar on Dickson Street (Fayetteville): The bouncer had a phone app to scan my QR code. It pinged green. He nodded, waved me in. Took maybe five seconds. I didn’t hand over my phone. Loved that.
- A local liquor store in midtown Little Rock: The cashier had a “Mobile ID accepted” sticker. She scanned the code and only got my age check (21+). I liked that my address wasn’t shown. Felt safer.
- A taproom in Bentonville: No scanner. The bartender still let me show the full ID screen in the app. He checked my photo and birthday. Slower, but it worked.
Speaking of nightlife, having a friction-free way to prove you’re 21 can free you up to focus on the fun parts of going out—like actually meeting people. If you’re hoping to parlay that smooth entrance into an equally smooth dating experience later in the evening, take a look at this roundup of the best DTF apps for a one-night stand in 2025 where you’ll get blunt reviews, safety tips, and pointers on how to keep hookups hassle-free.
On a related note, if your adventures ever take you up to Plainfield after last call and you’d like a no-nonsense guide to the local escort scene, the Listcrawler Plainfield directory pulls in real-time listings, photos, and reviews so you can compare options quickly and set up a worry-free meet-up without endless scrolling.
Where it didn’t fly (and yes, that includes the airport)
- TSA at LIT (Little Rock airport): I asked, “Can I use my mobile ID?” The agent was kind but said, “We need your physical license.” So, plastic only there.
- A Walmart self-check with beer: The attendant said they need a physical card to scan. No phone IDs. I ended up grabbing my wallet.
- A small gas station on Highway 10: The clerk had never seen it. He shook his head. “Card only.” Fair enough.
- Traffic stop question: I didn’t get pulled over (thankfully). I asked a state trooper at a community event. He said, “Carry your card.” So I do.
I ran into similar roadblocks when I tested North Carolina’s version, and you can skim the details of that experiment right here.
The app itself: neat tricks, small quirks
- Privacy Mode: You can share only what’s needed—like proof you’re 21—without your address. That felt good at a bar.
- Dynamic QR code: It changes each time. The screen is bright and clear.
- Face ID + PIN: It locks quick, which I like.
- Sunlight issues: Outside a stadium one night, the scanner struggled. The bouncer moved us under the awning, then it scanned fine. Bright sun can be annoying.
- One crash: The app crashed once after an iOS update. I reopened it. It worked. No re-verify needed.
- Battery worry: If your phone is dead, you have no ID. That’s the tradeoff. I carry a tiny battery pack now. It weighs nothing.
A side note on comfort and safety
I’m picky about privacy. The app didn’t ask for my Social Security number. It uses my license and a selfie check. I like that I can show less data when I just need an age check. If you’re curious about the official data practices, the state’s Mobile ID privacy policy lays it all out.
If I lost my phone, Face ID and the PIN guard it. Still, I keep my plastic in my bag. Belt and suspenders.
If you’d like to geek out on the open standards that make secure digital IDs possible, the OpenID Book gives a clear, non-technical walkthrough.
What it’s great for
- Nights out—bars, concerts, ball games with 21+ areas
- Folks who forget their wallet (me, twice)
- College students who live on their phones
- Anyone who gets nervous about handing over their full address
What needs to get better
- Wider acceptance at big-box stores and pharmacies
- Clear signs at doors and registers so you’re not guessing
- Airport support (that’s a big one)
- Simple rules from law enforcement so we all know the drill
- Apple Wallet support would be nice, or even watch support
Illinois is starting to tackle some of these wish-list items with its new ILogin digital ID—take a look at my real take to see how far they’ve gotten.
My real bottom line
I give Arkansas Mobile ID a solid 7.5 out of 10. It’s fast, safer for age checks, and honestly pretty polished. But it’s not a full wallet replacement. Not yet.
I’ll keep using it at bars, taprooms, and events. I’ll still carry my plastic for flights and edge cases. If the state gets more places on board—and the airport joins in—I could see this becoming my main ID. Until then, it’s my smart backup that saves me time and keeps my address private when I’m just buying a six-pack.
And hey, that’s a win in my book.