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Apple Releases 'Car Keys Tests' App for Licensed MFi Developers

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Apple has released a testing app for vehicle manufacturers who are working on integrating its digital Car Keys software (via 9to5Mac).

car-keys-tests.jpg

Apple's digital car key feature allows users to unlock and start a compatible vehicle by bringing an iPhone or Apple Watch near the driver-side door. The car keys are stored in the Wallet app, just like a credit card. The feature is currently limited to select BMW, Kia, and Genesis vehicles.

Called "Car Keys Tests," the new app allows licensed MFi developers to test and validate their own integration of the digital car keys technology, which Apple announced in July 2022.

Apple describes the developer tool in the following way:
For use by MFi Licensees only. Use the Car Keys Tests app to test and validate connection, performance, and other key requirements for the certification process of the vehicles you develop that incorporate Apple digital car keys technology.
Click to expand...
"Car Keys Tests" isn't listed on the App Store, but there is a direct link to view and download the app. However, only developers with MFi licenses will be able to get past the login screen.

Article Link: Apple Releases 'Car Keys Tests' App for Licensed MFi Developers
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/02/21/apple-releases-car-keys-tests-app/
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On a purely superficial level whoever is approving the app icon design at Apple needs to be spoken to. This is almost as awful as the Freeform app icon and that's a pretty high bar. I realise it's a small detail but that's where god is – for designers.
 
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Just another money grubbing move from Apple… I just don’t know HOW it’s a money grubbing cash grab by Apple.

They’re just forcing us to start our own car companies and sign up for MFi? :)

Kia’s on the list, though it’s only the SUV and the smaller cars. Hope it gets expanded to the entire line. Looking at an EV6.
 
I’m surprised this hasn’t been rolled out faster- or maybe there was some exclusive deal with BMW that has now expired.

Apple said a long time ago it wants wallets and keys to go the way of the dodo. I believe it is nearly there with the technology already in place, but not with adoption. There are only a few car models, fewer house front doors and even fewer driver’s license that you only need your iPhone/ Watch for at the moment
 
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211 said:
I’m surprised this hasn’t been rolled out faster- or maybe there was some exclusive deal with BMW that has now expired.

Apple said a long time ago it wants wallets and keys to go the way of the dodo. I believe it is nearly there with the technology already in place, but not with adoption. There are only a few car models, fewer house front doors and even fewer driver’s license that you only need your iPhone/ Watch for at the moment
Click to expand...
Add to that the fact that many users, myself included, don’t trust Apple software and third party companies enough to secure things like houses and cars. I use Apple Wallet a lot but there’s a big difference in a bank card and a car for instance.
 
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I wish we could copy the Company staff ID card or door access card to the iPhone. Unfortunately in the current Apple Pay environment it’s impossible.
 
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211 said:
I’m surprised this hasn’t been rolled out faster- or maybe there was some exclusive deal with BMW that has now expired.

Apple said a long time ago it wants wallets and keys to go the way of the dodo. I believe it is nearly there with the technology already in place, but not with adoption. There are only a few car models, fewer house front doors and even fewer driver’s license that you only need your iPhone/ Watch for at the moment
Click to expand...
iOS doesn’t have NFC card emulation open to the end user and it will never have. So unless with Apple’s blessings we can’t just simply copy an existing card into the iPhone.

However, using Hong Kong as an example, it’s travel card “Octopus” does much more than a typical travel card and also acts as a payment card, door access card (in many residential premises) so having it in Apple Pay (with express travel i.e. no pre authorisation needed) it’s already convenient enough for many people.
 
TheLunaPark said:
Add to that the fact that many users, myself included, don’t trust Apple software and third party companies enough to secure things like houses and cars. I use Apple Wallet a lot but there’s a big difference in a bank card and a car for instance.
Click to expand...
Your digital key is designed to be only operated by you. A physical key however can be operated by anybody. It (in theory) can’t be as non-secure as the key it’s replacing. But of course if you think that Apple can impersonate you and authorise another person to download your digital key, it’s totally another issue and you should throw away your smartphone at once since it’s much more dangerous than a key to your house.
 
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I use the digital key with my car, but it is always a bit if a gamble as to whether it will work, so I only trust it on short trips. It often takes a few tries before it unlocks the car. Also, you have to take the phone out and “apply” it to the door handle, while my fob works in proximity from my pocket. Still, between the digital wallet, key and driver’s license, it is great not to have to carry all that stuff to the gym….
 
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CalMin said:
I no longer need to take my wallet, house keys or camera with me.
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Hmmm. I wish it was the same here.
Actually, I'm nearly in the same position. Except that our governments don't allow for virtual IDs yet.

But the reality is, things aren't always reliable for now, so I still need my wallet and house keys all the time.
And now I'm not just talking about my smart lock on my house missing battery or having a bad connection, I'm also talking about my iPhone 14 Pro having bugs nearly every day.
 
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PsykX said:
Hmmm. I wish it was the same here.
Actually, I'm nearly in the same position. Except that our governments don't allow for virtual IDs yet.

But the reality is, things aren't always reliable for now, so I still need my wallet and house keys all the time.
And now I'm not just talking about my smart lock on my house missing battery or having a bad connection, I'm also talking about my iPhone 14 Pro having bugs nearly every day.
Click to expand...

Ugh - sorry that your phone isn't reliable. Glad I passed on this year's upgrade!

I have contingencies in place too, but the backup wallet is stuck to the back of the phone and I have a way into my home should there ever be any issues with the smart lock. So far, so good though.

With all that said, I'm not sure what my car key back up plan would be though. It would be a nightmare to lose my phone (or if it died) far away from home, with no money, no car keys and no way to call for help! Apple Watch perhaps?
 
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211 said:
I’m surprised this hasn’t been rolled out faster- or maybe there was some exclusive deal with BMW that has now expired.

Apple said a long time ago it wants wallets and keys to go the way of the dodo. I believe it is nearly there with the technology already in place, but not with adoption. There are only a few car models, fewer house front doors and even fewer driver’s license that you only need your iPhone/ Watch for at the moment
Click to expand...

A handful of Genesis, Hyundai and Kia vehicles also have the Apple Digital Key ability but BMW has implemented it the most.
 
Marzzz said:
I use the digital key with my car, but it is always a bit if a gamble as to whether it will work, so I only trust it on short trips. It often takes a few tries before it unlocks the car. Also, you have to take the phone out and “apply” it to the door handle, while my fob works in proximity from my pocket. Still, between the digital wallet, key and driver’s license, it is great not to have to carry all that stuff to the gym….
Click to expand...
Are you using a digital key through a manufacturer (like the app based ones) or Apple Car Keys?

The latter uses UWB and is only available on about 20 different 2023 models across vehicle manufacturers (mostly BMW)

www.apple.com

iOS - CarPlay - Available Models

Find out which automobile manufacturers currently offer or are planning to introduce models that support CarPlay.
www.apple.com
 
211 said:
I’m surprised this hasn’t been rolled out faster- or maybe there was some exclusive deal with BMW that has now expired.
Click to expand...
Well, considering how long it took for auto makers to roll out actual life saving improvements like seat belts and air bags (in the 10’s of years), a few years to where they are now is “lightning quick”.
 
james2538 said:
Are you using a digital key through a manufacturer (like the app based ones) or Apple Car Keys?

The latter uses UWB and is only available on about 20 different 2023 models across vehicle manufacturers (mostly BMW)

www.apple.com

iOS - CarPlay - Available Models

Find out which automobile manufacturers currently offer or are planning to introduce models that support CarPlay.
www.apple.com
Click to expand...
Apple car keys, I guess- I have a 2021 BMW, and the digital key appears in my wallet or when I pass the phone over the driver side door handle. Sometimes it works right away, sometimes I have to make several passes at it. The BMW Genius told me "contact point" (so to speak) is not the top of the phone, but approximately where the Magsafe is (?).
 
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Marzzz said:
I use the digital key with my car, but it is always a bit if a gamble as to whether it will work, so I only trust it on short trips. It often takes a few tries before it unlocks the car. Also, you have to take the phone out and “apply” it to the door handle, while my fob works in proximity from my pocket. Still, between the digital wallet, key and driver’s license, it is great not to have to carry all that stuff to the gym….
Click to expand...
Exactly it might be cool if you still had a physical key. But it definitely doesn't seem better than a fob with push button start. Push the button on the handle with the fob in range and same with starting.
 
Can we figure out in the US how to make Apple Pay more seemless with tipping (like it prompts you tip amount on sub total)?? In europe its apple pay everywhere. Never pulled a card out anywhere. In the US, were cavemen handing our card everywhere its so dumb
 
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