UK to allow digital ID apps for alcohol age checks

SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

The UK government has moved to allow digital identity apps to be used as proof of age for alcohol sales. From Autumn 2026, certified apps such as Yoti and Post Office EasyID could be accepted.

The measure follows the laying of a statutory instrument to amend the Mandatory Licensing Conditions. It remains subject to parliamentary procedure, but if approved it will widen proof-of-age options for people buying alcohol in shops, pubs, bars and other licensed venues.

Under the updated rules, only digital identity apps provided by certified and registered Digital Verification Services will be accepted. Yoti and Post Office EasyID already meet those requirements, according to Yoti.

The change marks a notable shift in how age checks are carried out in retail and hospitality settings. Instead of presenting a physical driving licence or passport, users of approved apps would be able to show digital proof of age on their phone.

More than 8 million people in the UK have already downloaded either the Yoti app or Post Office EasyID, according to Yoti, which added that thousands more download the apps each day.

Under the process described by Yoti, customers open the app, take a selfie to confirm they are the owner of the digital ID, then show an age credential to a member of staff or at a self-checkout. This allows people to prove they are over 18 without disclosing other personal details, the company said.

For businesses, Yoti offers an ID Checker app that staff can use to scan a QR code shown in a customer’s digital ID app. The tool is designed to verify whether the credential is valid without displaying or storing personal information.

Yoti said the ID Checker app will accept any digital ID that is certified and listed on the Digital Verification Services register. More than 13,000 people across the UK have already installed the free version of the checker app, according to the company.

The government’s approach limits acceptance to registered and certified providers rather than opening alcohol age verification to any digital wallet or app. The framework is intended to ensure that only approved services can be used in licensed premises.

Certified providers can use different sources of identity evidence when setting up a digital proof of age. These can include physical documents, information held by public authorities and digital credentials issued by government.

That means future forms of government-backed digital identification, such as a digital driving licence, could also become relevant to alcohol age checks once they are available through certified services. For now, Yoti and Post Office EasyID are among the services most directly positioned to benefit from the change.

The development is likely to be watched closely by retailers and hospitality operators that handle high volumes of age-restricted sales. It also adds to the broader use of digital identity systems in everyday transactions, as policymakers and businesses test whether app-based checks can reduce reliance on paper and plastic documents.

Robin Tombs, Chief Executive Officer of Yoti, welcomed the move in a statement.

“The acceptance of Digital IDs for alcohol sales is a major milestone for the UK. This will transform how people prove their age at licensed premises including supermarkets, convenience stores, bars, pubs and nightclubs. We’ve been working towards this for years. When we started Yoti in 2014, young adults told us they wanted to use our app at the supermarket and on nights out. We’re excited this will soon become a reality. With our Digital ID app for customers and ID Checker app for businesses, we’re setting a new standard for age checks in the digital age. This technology will empower businesses to confidently accept digital IDs, ensuring compliance while improving the customer experience. People should be able to prove their age without revealing any other personal information, and Yoti digital proof of age makes that possible. We welcome these changes, which will give licensed businesses a trusted way to verify age while offering millions of individuals a faster and more convenient experience,” said Robin Tombs, Chief Executive Officer of Yoti.