What Rooted ID Does and How It Works in South Carolina
Rooted ID is a digital identity platform that lets you store and share personal documents on your phone
Rooted ID is a mobile app that holds copies of your ID, driver's license, insurance cards, vaccination records, and other documents in one encrypted digital wallet. Instead of carrying physical cards or searching through your phone's photo gallery, you open the app and show a business or government office a digital version of what they need. The app works on both iPhone and Android, and you control which documents appear and who can see them.
The platform is built around the idea that you own your documents and decide when to share them. You photograph or upload documents once, and the app stores them securely. When a doctor's office, bank, or police officer asks to see your ID, you can hand them your phone with only the relevant document visible, rather than handing over a physical card or a photo that shows everything in your wallet.
Key Takeaways
- Rooted ID stores digital copies of your ID, driver's license, insurance cards, and other documents in an encrypted app on your phone.
- You photograph documents once and can show them to businesses, government offices, or healthcare providers without handing over physical cards.
- The app lets you control which documents are visible and to whom you share them.
- Rooted ID is available for download on iPhone and Android, and the basic version is free to use.
- South Carolina residents can use Rooted ID for everyday transactions, though acceptance varies by business and government office.
How to set up Rooted ID on your phone
Download the Rooted ID app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Create an account using your email address and a password, then set up a PIN or biometric lock (fingerprint or face recognition) to secure the app. This extra layer of security means that even if someone gets your phone, they cannot open Rooted ID without your PIN or fingerprint.
Once your account is set up, photograph each document you want to store. Hold the document flat under good lighting and take a clear photo of both the front and back. The app will guide you through this process and may ask you to confirm details like your name or date of birth to verify the document is legitimate. After you upload a document, it stays in your app encrypted and ready to share whenever you need it.
What documents you can store in Rooted ID
You can upload a wide range of documents, including your South Carolina driver's license, state ID card, passport, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, vaccination records, and medical information cards. Some users also store photos of their Social Security card, birth certificate, or other identity documents for safekeeping, though you should think carefully about whether storing sensitive documents digitally is right for your situation.
The app works best for documents you need to show frequently—your driver's license when you buy something, your insurance card at a doctor's office, or your vaccination record at a healthcare facility. For documents you rarely use, physical copies stored safely at home may be a better choice.
How businesses and government offices use Rooted ID
When you show someone your Rooted ID, they scan a QR code on your phone or look at the digital document directly. Some South Carolina businesses, healthcare providers, and government offices have integrated Rooted ID into their systems, meaning they can scan the QR code and the information flows directly into their records. Others simply look at the document on your screen the same way they would look at a physical card.
Acceptance varies widely. Some businesses and offices are set up to use Rooted ID; others have not yet adopted it or prefer physical documents. Before you rely on Rooted ID for an important transaction, call ahead and ask whether the office accepts digital ID. This is especially true for government offices, which may have specific rules about what forms of ID they will accept.
Privacy and security in Rooted ID
Rooted ID encrypts your documents, meaning the company cannot read them even if someone hacked their servers. Your documents are stored on your phone and in encrypted cloud backup, and you decide what gets shared and when. When you show someone a document through the app, you can display only that one document—they do not see your other cards or personal information.
That said, storing digital copies of sensitive documents does carry some risk. If your phone is lost or stolen, a thief could potentially access your documents if they break through your PIN or biometric lock. For this reason, many people use Rooted ID for documents like driver's licenses and insurance cards but keep physical copies of highly sensitive documents like Social Security cards locked at home.
Cost and availability in South Carolina
The basic version of Rooted ID is free to download and use. The app is available to anyone in South Carolina with an iPhone or Android phone. Some features or premium services may cost money, but you can store and share documents without paying anything.
Rooted ID is not run by the South Carolina government, though some state agencies and local businesses may accept it. It is a private company's product, so adoption depends on whether individual businesses and offices choose to integrate it into their systems. As more organizations recognize digital ID, acceptance in South Carolina is likely to grow, but it is not yet universal.
Alternatives to Rooted ID in South Carolina
You can also store digital copies of documents in your phone's built-in wallet app (Apple Wallet on iPhone or Google Wallet on Android), though these apps have different features and different levels of acceptance. Some South Carolina government offices and businesses may accept documents stored in these apps, while others may not.
Physical documents remain the most widely accepted form of ID across South Carolina. A driver's license, state ID card, or insurance card in your wallet will work anywhere, whereas digital versions depend on the business or office being set up to accept them. Many people use both—keeping physical cards for everyday use and Rooted ID as a backup or for situations where they want to limit what information they share.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rooted ID the same as my phone's built-in wallet app?
No. Rooted ID is a separate app made by a private company, while Apple Wallet and Google Wallet are built into your phone by Apple and Google. They work differently and have different features. Some businesses accept one but not the other, so check with the place you are visiting before you assume your phone's wallet will work.
Can I use Rooted ID instead of a physical driver's license?
Not everywhere. South Carolina law still requires a physical driver's license for driving, and many government offices and businesses prefer or require a physical card. Rooted ID works best as a supplement to your physical ID, not a replacement. Always carry your physical license when driving.
What happens if I lose my phone?
Your documents are encrypted and backed up to Rooted ID's servers, so you can download them again on a new phone once you log back into your account. However, someone with your phone could potentially access your documents if they break your PIN or biometric lock, which is why you should report a lost phone to your carrier right away and change your Rooted ID password.
Do I need to tell businesses I am using Rooted ID?
You can simply show them your phone with the document open, the same way you would show a physical card. If the business has integrated Rooted ID into their system, they may ask you to scan a QR code. If you are unsure whether they accept it, ask before you hand over your phone.
Is Rooted ID endorsed by the South Carolina government?
Rooted ID is a private company's product and is not run by or officially endorsed by the state of South Carolina. Some South Carolina businesses and offices may accept it, but acceptance is not may provide. Always have a physical ID with you as a backup.