Apple Car Key Support Coming to Lexus Vehicles

[MacRumors]

Evidence suggests Apple is preparing to bring Car Key support to Lexus vehicles, MacRumors has discovered.

Code references to Lexus were found in Apple's backend code, indicating the Toyota-owned luxury brand is being added to Apple's Car Key backend. The discovery mirrors how Toyota's own Car Key support was first uncovered, before the feature went live for the 2026 RAV4 in February. It is unclear when the feature will roll out to customers.

Lexus already offers its own app-based Digital Key system, but unlike Apple Car Key, it requires an active connection to Toyota's servers to function and has not historically worked via Apple Wallet. Apple Car Key stores a digital key directly in the Wallet app and uses NFC for unlocking, with an Express Mode that allows access without authentication. On compatible devices, it continues to work for up to five hours after a phone's battery has died.

Toyota confirmed to Carscoops in February that the 2026 Lexus ES will be the first Lexus model to receive the enhanced Digital Key functionality as part of a new-generation infotainment system, with the vehicle expected later this year. It is likely that the code references relate to that upcoming rollout.

Car Key support has been expanding steadily across the industry. Vehicles from BMW, Genesis, Kia, Hyundai, Lotus, Mercedes, Volvo, and more already offer the feature, and a full list is available on MacRumors.

Article Link: Apple Car Key Support Coming to Lexus Vehicles

 

[HouseLannister]

But will it require a subscription like Toyota did with their 2026 RAV4 with Car Key?

 

[chrono1081]

I have this on my Hyundai Tuscon and absolutely love it. It's so nice not to have to carry a fat dongle around everywhere.

 

[Corefile]

What happens if you're driving along and throw your iPhone from the moving car? Does the engine cut out with a few meters? Has anybody tried this? Can somebody try it and report back?

 

[AppleTO]

What happens if you're driving along and throw your iPhone from the moving car? Does the engine cut out with a few meters? Has anybody tried this? Can somebody try it and report back?

No… once you start the car it doesn’t matter where the key is, at least in mine.

 

[subjonas]

I have this on my Hyundai Tuscon and absolutely love it. It's so nice not to have to carry a fat dongle around everywhere.

I dream of that. Having to carry around a huge heavy key fob is one of the most annoying things about my car. And actually, if you measure by the amount of times per day that I am reminded of an annoying thing, it’s the most annoying thing in my life.

I want to carry just my phone when I leave the house or maybe even just my watch. Someday, I hope.

 

[Stratus Fear]

I'm glad they're finally adopting this, but it would have been nice if they'd starting adding it to their lineup before nixing nearly all their non-SUVs and turning the ES into an abomination.

 

[Stratus Fear]

What happens if you're driving along and throw your iPhone from the moving car? Does the engine cut out with a few meters? Has anybody tried this? Can somebody try it and report back?

With the current key fobs, they don’t need to be in the car once started. I would be surprised if it was any different with Car Key, but Toyota has been making changes finally with all their new ADAS and infotainment. You can finally remote start on new models without the engine shutting off when you get in.

 

[alexandr]

What happens if you're driving along and throw your iPhone from the moving car? Does the engine cut out with a few meters? Has anybody tried this? Can somebody try it and report back?

Not at all, the phone follows the car at a safe distance. When you stop it makes its way back into the car and onto the wireless charger.

 

[abracadaver]

Hopefully this will be more reliable than the current digital key! I have one, but have been hesitant to use it after I had trouble starting the car back up once I was heading back home from my destination. Would be nice to be able to go out and about without the fob/any keys, I already have smart locks for my home.

 

[EugW]

Don’t know about the Lexus app but the Toyota app is total garbage. Toyota’s own app was causing Bluetooth connectivity issues with my 2025 Camry and also caused heavy battery drain on the iPhone. Glad this iPhone key feature does not involve those apps.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I dream of that. Having to carry around a huge heavy key fob is one of the most annoying things about my car. And actually, if you measure by the amount of times per day that I am reminded of an annoying thing, it’s the most annoying thing in my life.

I want to carry just my phone when I leave the house or maybe even just my watch. Someday, I hope.

The 'huge heavy fob' weighs a lot less than phone, and they never personally bothered me. Mine is about 50g, so 1/4 of my phone before adding a case.

I typically leave my phone in the car at the trailhead when I go running 3-4 times per week. I guess as long as there is still a fob as an option, I'm good.

 

[kjvmartin]

Until it works the same as a key fob, either in my wallet or in my wife's purse, and the car automatically unlocks in some fashion when I try to enter, this technology is useless for me.

Having to a fish a phone out of a pocket, bag, or purse and hold it towards the car seems a step backwards in a lot of ways, or am I missing something here?

 

[Nekronos]

I dream of that. Having to carry around a huge heavy key fob is one of the most annoying things about my car. And actually, if you measure by the amount of times per day that I am reminded of an annoying thing, it’s the most annoying thing in my life.

I want to carry just my phone when I leave the house or maybe even just my watch. Someday, I hope.

This is satire right? Huge heavy key fob? Most annoying thing in your life? 🤣 It is smaller and weights less than your phone.

Carkey that is limited to NFC isn't very convenient for daily use, the only version that is really going incentivize leaving your key fob behind is the version with UWB.

FYI, they left out a key detail from the Carscoops article they gleaned this info from - it requires a monthly subscription after the first year trial. Additionally, despite the picture used showing the NFC version, this appears to be the enhanced version that doesn't rely on NFC.

 

[klemsaba]

I haven't carried keys around for 20 years. I can't wait to ditch my fob someday.

 

[magbarn]

Too bad they won’t bring it to their older models. Lexus app digital key is total trash and it has caused high drain on our 12v battery in our TX hybrid.

 

[Mr_Ed]

The 'huge heavy fob' weighs a lot less than phone, and they never personally bothered me. Mine is about 50g, so 1/4 of my phone before adding a case.

I typically leave my phone in the car at the trailhead when I go running 3-4 times per week. I guess as long as there is still a fob as an option, I'm good.

I also prefer the fob. Mine has a key ring and house keys on it, so I never “misplace” the fob or house keys. The fob also has some functions that can be done without pulling out the phone and using an app.

In all honesty, I am less likely to lose the fob than the phone. My ProMax is so huge I’m always paranoid it could fall out of my pocket without noticing while seated.

 

[subjonas]

The 'huge heavy fob' weighs a lot less than phone, and they never personally bothered me. Mine is about 50g, so 1/4 of my phone before adding a case.

I typically leave my phone in the car at the trailhead when I go running 3-4 times per week. I guess as long as there is still a fob as an option, I'm good.

My fob is on the heavier side, but regardless generally fobs are not negligible bulk and weight. The reason I can say that is because if that bulk and weight was added to a phone, especially for no reason, people would dislike having to carry it. The only reason many accept fobs is because they're used to the idea of them and they don't think about it. But if they got used to getting along without them, they would hate to have to carry them again. Carrying around a slab of metal and glass isn't a joy either, but a phone has infinitely more functionality than a key fob, including what the fob can do, so the fob is just redundant. I suppose if one wants redundancy, that is a reason to have a fob, although the thin light key card that some manufacturers make would be much better. Better yet, if one wears a smart watch, that would act as the redundancy in addition to near infinite other functionalities.

Phones are big and heavy nowadays, which is unfortunate when doing physical activities like hiking. That is another reason to have a fob or key card, but again it wouldn't be needed if one wears a smart watch anyway.

For redundancy, some cars also have pin pads, but it would be more ideal if manufacturers added biometrics.

 

[subjonas]

This is satire right? Huge heavy key fob? Most annoying thing in your life? 🤣 It is smaller and weights less than your phone.

Carkey that is limited to NFC isn't very convenient for daily use, the only version that is really going incentivize leaving your key fob behind is the version with UWB.

FYI, they left out a key detail from the Carscoops article they gleaned this info from - it requires a monthly subscription after the first year trial. Additionally, despite the picture used showing the NFC version, this appears to be the enhanced version that doesn't rely on NFC.

Regarding bulk and weight, see my post #18.

"Most annoying thing in my life" was a conditional statement.

I agree UWB is needed.

I agree a digital car key is not a service and therefore should not be a subscription, unless you're using it remotely. But if Apple is handling all remote communication for Car Keys, then car manufacturers still have no basis to charge a subscription.

 

[Mike_Trivisonno]

As long as I have my fob, my LC-500 unlocks itself when I touch the door handle. Having a digital key on my iPhone would be nice if I lost my key fob and needed to make a quick getaway from an unwholesome situation.

 

[Nekronos]

Regarding bulk and weight, see my post #18.

"Most annoying thing in my life" was a conditional statement.

I agree UWB is needed.

I agree a digital car key is not a service and therefore should not be a subscription, unless you're using it remotely. But if Apple is handling all remote communication for Car Keys, then car manufacturers still have no basis to charge a subscription.

I've never held a key fob that made think oh man, this is heavy. These all in one smart key fobs have only existed since the late 90s and weren't widespread until later, they exist for convenience, if you don't want the convenience feel free to take it apart and utilize the tiny backup key that all modern key fobs have.

I'll have to disagree with you and say that key fobs are absolutely negligible in weight and size to me, out of curiosity what model vehicle do you have or post the image/specs of the fob? I can't imagine it being that bad.

"Most annoying thing in my life" isn't conditional, its dramatic.... what is it conditional on?

We'd have to understand how the manufacturer is authenticating the key, there very well may be services in the background they are supporting. And in any case, just because you don't see a separate add on fee, doesn't mean you aren't already paying for the feature in alternative models that may not charge separate fees. You get charged for features one way or another.

 

[EugW]

I will still carry around my key fob.

It contains a physical key that works to open the door even if the phone and fob have a dead battery, and you can still start the car even with a dead fob and keyless start button.

It would be more of a convenience thing for my kids to have on their iPhones, to unlock the doors, assuming that’s allowed.

 

[subjonas]

I've never held a key fob that made think oh man, this is heavy. These all in one smart key fobs have only existed since the late 90s and weren't widespread until later, they exist for convenience, if you don't want the convenience feel free to take it apart and utilize the tiny backup key that all modern key fobs have.

I'll have to disagree with you and say that key fobs are absolutely negligible in weight and size to me, out of curiosity what model vehicle do you have or post the image/specs of the fob? I can't imagine it being that bad.

"Most annoying thing in my life" isn't conditional, its dramatic.... what is it conditional on?

We'd have to understand how the manufacturer is authenticating the key, there very well may be services in the background they are supporting. And in any case, just because you don't see a separate add on fee, doesn't mean you aren't already paying for the feature in alternative models that may not charge separate fees. You get charged for features one way or another.

I've never enjoyed my key fobs, but I never thought much of them until my current VW key fob which is the biggest heaviest fob I've ever used. I think it's made of steel. But having it made me realize fobs in general are not a joy to have. So if they can be replaced by something we already carry, then why not? The same thing happened with dedicated cameras.

As I said, many people don't think much of their key fobs now, especially those with lighter smaller fobs, but that's only because they've accepted them out of necessity and gotten used to them. As I said, if that same bulk and weight was removed from their phone, they would notice and be pleased, and if they found they no longer needed their fob, they would never desire to have it back. But for many people, that's just not on their radar.

Using the backup key in the fob is a worse option. It requires manually inserting to unlock and lock every time. Plus in my car the key hole has a cover that has to be pried off. It's only meant to be used in emergencies. The fob conveniently automatically unlocks with proximity, but again that's better done with a digital key. I understand many don't mind their fobs now, but I don't see any reason for most people to actively prefer it over a digital key other than the reasons I mentioned in post 18.

The condition of the statement was:

if you measure by the amount of times per day that I am reminded of an annoying thing,

The statement wasn't meant to be taken out of context, it was meant to point to the context.

Manufacturers may add in extra features that require remote background services, but the basic function of locally wirelessly sending a signal to lock and unlock would not require it.

 

[nutmac]

But will it require a subscription like Toyota did with their 2026 RAV4 with Car Key?

Toyota executives must have been laughing to the bank when they approved charging subscription for unlocking and driving the car.

 

[John-Paul Hunt]

If they can it that why can't I get my iPad mini to transfer data using the MagSafe pencil magnetic charging port on the side for copying my data to another iPad mini or iPhone? What about reverse charging using the Apple Pencil magnetic port on the side or a MagSafe charging/ethernet cable for the iPhone and iPads and MacBooks like for the iMac? Just a thought!