If you’ve ever stared at a HMRC screen unsure how to prove you are who you say you are, the GOV.UK ID Check app exists precisely for that moment. The Government Digital Service built it as the first mobile app from GOV.UK, and it lets you verify your identity by scanning a photo ID and your face — all from your phone. Below is a practical guide grounded in official GOV.UK sources covering downloads, usage steps, sign-in, and what to do when something goes wrong.

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Platforms: Android, iOS · Developer: Government Digital Service · Purpose: Prove identity for HMRC services · iOS Requirement: iOS 16.7 or higher · Android Support: Samsung, Google Pixel examples

Quick snapshot

1What It Does
2Downloads
3Key Steps
4What Happens Next
  • Identity confirmed — you return to the service to continue (GOV.UK official guidance)
  • App does not grant access alone; service makes the final call (Apple App Store)
Attribute Detail
App Name GOV.UK ID Check
Developer Government Digital Service
Platforms Android, iOS
iOS Min Version 16.7
Primary Use Identity verification for gov.uk services
Android Min Version 10
Release Context Launched before April 2024 by GDS as their first mobile app
Distinct From UK Immigration ID Check app (for visa/immigration purposes)

How to Use GOV.UK ID Check App

The GOV.UK ID Check app exists to prove your identity when accessing certain HMRC services through Government Gateway or when updating security codes for GOV.UK One Login (GOV.UK official guidance). You do not download it directly from an app store — the process starts when a government service directs you to it.

Scan Your Face

The app performs three checks: it verifies that your photo ID is genuine, confirms you are a real person (not a photo or video), and matches your face to the photo on your ID document (GOV.UK official guidance). For a driving licence, you take a photo of the licence and then scan your face. For a passport, biometric residence permit, or other chipped documents, the app also scans the biometric chip before face matching (Apple App Store). Work in a well-lit area to help the camera capture clear images (YouTube tutorial).

Scan Your Photo ID

Supported photo IDs include UK photocard driving licence, UK passport, non-UK passport with a biometric chip, UK biometric residence permit, biometric residence card, and frontier worker permit — with BRP, BRC, and FWP accepted up to 18 months after expiry (GOV.UK official guidance). Non-UK passports must contain a biometric chip to work with the app (Google Play Store).

The catch

The app confirms your identity but does not grant access on its own — the government service you started from makes the final access decision (Apple App Store).

Download the GOV.UK ID Check App

You will not find the app by searching the app store independently. The download starts when you scan a QR code displayed on the government service page you are using (GOV.UK official guidance). If you have used the app before, you scan the same QR code to open it again.

Android Download

Android devices need Android 10 or higher. GOV.UK explicitly mentions Samsung and Google Pixel as compatible examples (GOV.UK official guidance). Download the app through the QR code the service provides, which links to the app on Google Play Store (Google Play Store).

iPhone Download

iPhones require iOS 16.7 or higher, and the device must be an iPhone 8 or newer (GOV.UK official guidance). The QR code from your government service directs you to the Apple App Store listing (Apple App Store).

Why this matters

Avoid private browsing or incognito mode when downloading — the service may not recognise your session correctly.

GOV.UK ID Check App Sign In

After completing the identity check in the app, you need to link it back to the government service website. The linking process is usually automatic once you complete the in-app steps (GOV.UK linking guidance).

Linking Process

On your smartphone, after the identity check finishes, you tap Continue, then Link app to continue — the page should switch automatically (GOV.UK linking guidance). Switch back to your browser and tap the Link GOV.UK ID Check button to complete the connection (GOV.UK linking guidance).

Connection to GOV.UK

On a computer or tablet, you scan a second QR code displayed in the browser to link the app without manually transferring information (GOV.UK linking guidance). The app is only usable when a government service has initiated the process — you cannot open it standalone and run an identity check on your own (GOV.UK linking guidance).

GOV.UK ID Check App Not Working

Linking issues are the most common problem users encounter. Several browser and network settings can prevent the app from connecting to the government service properly.

Common Issues

If the app fails to link, check for ad blockers in your browser — they can interfere with the linking process (GOV.UK official guidance). Incognito or private browsing modes are also known to cause linking failures (GOV.UK official guidance).

Fix Steps

Disable any ad blocking extensions in your browser. Use one of the specified browsers — Safari, Chrome, or Firefox — rather than an alternative (GOV.UK official guidance). Switch off private browsing mode and ensure you are using a standard browsing session. If problems persist, the alternative remains to prove your identity through other methods the government service offers (GOV.UK official guidance).

Link GOV.UK ID Check App QR Code

The QR code is central to how the app works — it connects your device to the specific government service session.

QR Code Usage

You scan the first QR code from the government service page to download or open the app (GOV.UK official guidance). If you are using a computer or tablet, you scan a second QR code after completing the identity check to transfer the confirmation back to the service (GOV.UK linking guidance).

Button Linking

On a smartphone, after the app confirms your identity, you return to your browser and tap the Link GOV.UK ID Check button to complete the session linking (GOV.UK linking guidance). This step is what tells the government service that your identity has been verified.

The upshot

The GOV.UK ID Check app gives users with a form of photo ID a fast, simple, and secure way to prove their identity when accessing government services online (GOV.UK Accessibility Blog).

Confirmed facts

  • App for HMRC identity checks via Government Gateway
  • Available on Android (Android 10+) and iOS (iPhone 8+, iOS 16.7+)
  • Supports UK driving licence, UK passport, biometric non-UK passport, BRP/BRC/FWP
  • QR code initiates the process from the government service
  • Built for accessibility by the Government Digital Service
  • Distinguished from UK Immigration ID Check app

What’s unclear

  • Exact initial public release date (only “last year” before April 2024 referenced)
  • Full list of specific non-UK passport countries accepted
  • Accessibility feature specifics beyond general GDS commitment

The GOV.UK ID Check app gives users with a form of photo ID a fast, simple and secure way to prove their identity when accessing government services online.

— Government Digital Service, GOV.UK Accessibility Blog

You’ll need to scan a QR code to download the app. If you downloaded the app to your smartphone before, you can scan the same QR code to open it.

— GOV.UK official guidance

Related reading: DWP Cost of Living Payments · UK Bank Holidays

Additional sources

gov.uk, youtube.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GOV.UK ID Check app used for?

The app is used to prove your identity when accessing certain HMRC services via Government Gateway, or when changing security codes for GOV.UK One Login (GOV.UK official guidance).

Do I need the app for all HMRC services?

No. The app is required for some HMRC services that use Government Gateway, but other HMRC services may use different sign-in methods. Check the specific service you need to use (GOV.UK official guidance).

Can I use the app on any Android phone?

Android 10 or higher is required. GOV.UK names Samsung and Google Pixel as examples of compatible devices (GOV.UK official guidance).

What happens after identity check in the app?

Once the app confirms your identity, you return to the government service browser window and link the app to complete the session. The service then grants or manages access based on its own processes (GOV.UK linking guidance).

Is there a web version of the ID Check app?

No. The app runs only on Android and iOS mobile devices. You cannot use it on a desktop browser without a smartphone to scan the linking QR codes (GOV.UK official guidance).

How secure is the GOV.UK ID Check app?

The app was built by the Government Digital Service with accessibility as a core design principle (GOV.UK Accessibility Blog). It verifies photo authenticity, confirms you are a real person, and matches your face to your ID document photo (GOV.UK official guidance).

Does the app store personal data?

The app confirms your identity for the government service but does not grant access on its own. The identity confirmation is passed to the service you initiated the process from, which handles data retention under its own policies (Apple App Store).

For UK residents using HMRC online services, the choice is straightforward: if the service redirects you to the GOV.UK ID Check app, downloading it via the QR code, completing the face and photo ID scan, and linking it back to the browser completes your identity verification. Those preferring not to use the app can explore alternative identity verification methods the government service offers.