Japan launches 'My Number Card on iPhone' — available from 24 June 2025
Source material is a Japanese government announcement (in Japanese); this page is a summary.
Japan's Digital Agency launched the 'My Number Card on iPhone' service on 24 June 2025, letting people with an iPhone XS or later running iOS 18.5 or higher use biometrics such as face or fingerprint for convenience store certificates, Mynaportal, the Myna health insurance card and e-Tax final tax returns.
Key facts
| Service name | My Number Card on iPhone (iPhoneのマイナンバーカード) |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 24 June 2025 |
| Supported devices | iPhone XS and later, running iOS 18.5 or higher |
| Authentication | Biometrics such as face or fingerprint instead of entering a PIN |
| What you can use it for | Mynaportal, obtaining certificates at convenience stores, checking in with the Myna health insurance card (expanding in stages), e-Tax final tax returns |
| Requirement | You must hold a My Number Card — it cannot be used without one |
| What comes next | Due to be reorganised into 'My Number Card on Android' around autumn 2026 |
Last checked:
The Digital Agency began providing the 'My Number Card on iPhone' service on 24 June 2025. It can be used on iPhone XS and later models running iOS 18.5 or higher, and confirms your identity simply and securely with biometrics such as face or fingerprint instead of entering a PIN. It can be used for Mynaportal, obtaining certificates at convenience stores, checking in at medical institutions and pharmacies with the Myna health insurance card (the number of participating institutions is expanding in stages), and filing a final tax return through e-Tax. The Digital Agency says it will be reorganised into 'My Number Card on Android' around autumn 2026.
Background — why this change
This service is the iPhone version of the 'smartphone electronic certificate' service. According to the Japanese Public Key Infrastructure (JPKI) guidance, a smartphone electronic certificate is stored in a secure area of the phone called the GP-SE (a GlobalPlatform-compliant Secure Element) and is issued by the same certification authority as the electronic certificate for the My Number Card. There are two kinds — a signing certificate used to create and send electronic documents, and a user certificate used to log in to websites. Because a smartphone electronic certificate is issued on the basis of the electronic certificate for the My Number Card, it cannot be used by someone who does not hold a My Number Card.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
Summaries reflect national-level programs. Municipal (city/ward/town) programs may differ — confirm with the official desk before applying.
FAQ
Which devices can use it?
You can use it on iPhone XS and later models running iOS 18.5 or higher.
What can I do with it?
You can use it for Mynaportal, obtaining certificates at convenience stores, checking in at medical institutions and pharmacies with the Myna health insurance card (the number of participating institutions is expanding in stages), and filing a final tax return through e-Tax. It confirms your identity with biometrics such as face or fingerprint instead of a PIN.
Do I still need a My Number Card?
Yes. A smartphone electronic certificate is issued on the basis of the electronic certificate for the My Number Card, so it cannot be used by someone who does not hold a My Number Card.
What happens from here?
The Digital Agency says it is due to be reorganised into 'My Number Card on Android' around autumn 2026.