Digital ID apps approved for age checks in England and Wales

People buying alcohol in England and Wales will be able to prove their age with a digital ID app on their phone under rules introduced on Tuesday.

Pubs and shops can accept the apps alongside physical ID. Suppliers including the Post Office, Yoti and Luciditi can participate if they appear on a government-approved list. Businesses will no longer be required to accept physical ID, although the government says most establishments would continue to do so.

The voluntary scheme is technology-agnostic. Users could tap a phone on a reader or show a scannable QR code instead of handing over an official document. Apps must help prevent people from borrowing devices and must verify that the ID belongs to the person using it. In Yoti's app, a face scan is matched with the person who registered, after which the app creates a time-limited QR code. A free checker app tells the business the person's age.

Digital government minister Stephanie Peacock said the option could reduce the need to carry physical ID or share sensitive personal information. UKHospitality chief executive Allen Simpson called the rules a positive step, while saying the rollout should not burden businesses.

The government wants the apps to work together and function offline, including without mobile data or Wi-Fi. The scheme could later cover tobacco and vapes. Big Brother Watch warned that digital ID must not become effectively mandatory, saying it could exclude millions of people who rely on physical ID.