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General Motors Announces Plans to Start Offering iPhone Car Keys

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General Motors (GM) today announced it will be rolling out support for the Apple Wallet app's digital car key feature, but it did not provide a timeframe or mention any specific vehicle models that will be compatible. GM has four main vehicle brands in the United States and Canada, including Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick.

GM-Car-Key-Mock-Feature.jpg
(Mockup)​

During its WWDC 2025 keynote in June, Apple said that 13 additional vehicle brands would soon offer Apple Wallet car keys, and Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac were on the list. The feature allows users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. With the latest version of the feature, which utilizes Ultra Wideband technology, you can keep your iPhone in your pocket as you approach and drive the vehicle.

If your iPhone battery runs out, a Power Reserve feature ensures the Apple Wallet key can still be used for up to five hours after the device shuts off.

You can share an Apple Wallet car key with up to eight family and friends via AirDrop or any messaging app, such as the Messages app or WhatsApp.

Automakers that already offer Apple Wallet keys for select vehicles include Audi, BMW, MINI, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, RAM, Volvo, Polestar, and more, with others like Acura, Porsche, Rivian, and Toyota expected to follow.

GM also announced availability of a built-in Apple Music app in select 2025 and newer Chevrolet and Cadillac models, but it has not reversed course on its decision to stop offering CarPlay in its electric (and eventually gas) vehicles.

Article Link: General Motors Announces Plans to Start Offering iPhone Car Keys
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/15/gm-plans-to-roll-out-iphone-car-keys/
The same GM who filed for bankruptcy and caused their retired workers to lose their pension? That forced a dude whose wife had cancer to lose healthcare coverage and find a job that he’s now worked until 88.

GM shouldn’t be in business anymore, yet alone producing CarKeys. Booooo
 
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jonnyb098 said:
Who cares at this point? By not offering CarPlay (way bigger of a deal than digital car keys), most in the core demographic of 18-35 will never buy a GM since 80% of them are on iOS. What an idiot move.
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If that were actually the case, they would start offering CarPlay immediately. They certainly have done the numbers on the loss of sales by not offering CarPlay. Until they see any significant losses, they aren't going to budge.
 
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Maybe because I’m too old, but can anybody tell me why this is needed?

I don’t buy the arguments of saving time (it takes to me 2-3 seconds to unlock my car with regular remote) nor carrying less things (if you lose your phone you are really screwed - no car and no phone to call service-). I’m not very fit but I still can carry the remote of my car.

And for free you get the risks related to software: hacking, bugs, tracking…
 
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It's not needed but it's possible so they are offering the option. I dont even need to remove my fob to open the car, as I walk up the lights come on in and around the car and the door unlocks. I still dont need it to start and drive. My car is 10 years old. I just keep it in my pocket. Also part of the age is a 3G modem that when it still worked, allowed me to lock and unlock the car via an app from anywhere as well as start it. Thats all gone now since 3G is no longer supported.
 
robertosh said:
Maybe because I’m too old, but can anybody tell me why this is needed?

I don’t buy the arguments of saving time (it takes to me 2-3 seconds to unlock my car with regular remote) nor carrying less things (if you lose your phone you are really screwed - no car and no phone to call service-). I’m not very fit but I still can carry the remote of my car.

And for free you get the risks related to software: hacking, bugs, tracking…
Click to expand...

I wouldn’t say it’s needed, but I’ve had something similar for years now (Tesla’s implementation). It’s much nicer in practice than even a key fob. Nothing in my
pockets - just walk up to the car, touch the door handle and the car unlocks.

It’s definitely a minor quality of life thing, but once you get used to not having to carry a key fob you’ll not want to ever do it again. I literally don’t have keys anymore.
 
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bozzykid said:
If that were actually the case, they would start offering CarPlay immediately. They certainly have done the numbers on the loss of sales by not offering CarPlay. Until they see any significant losses, they aren't going to budge.
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They just stopped supporting it. It’ll show in the coming year or two.
 
jonnyb098 said:
They just stopped supporting it. It’ll show in the coming year or two.
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Yes but companies don't make decisions like that without significant research. People online are good at making a fuss about Carplay but I do have a hard time believing the average consumer is that concerned. All most people care about is maps support and streaming music from their phone.
 
btrach144 said:
The same GM who filed for bankruptcy and caused their retired workers to lose their pension? That forced a dude whose wife had cancer to lose healthcare coverage and find a job that he’s now worked until 88.

GM shouldn’t be in business anymore, yet alone producing CarKeys. Booooo
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You mean some of the retired GM workers lost their pensions which was the one of the main driver of the GM's bankruptcy? It's prime example of how unions bankrupts its own company.
Also, most GM workers didn't even lose their pensions. Obama made one non-negotiable condition for GM's bailout and that was keeping the pension. So, they removed most of other debts and the new GM kept the pension.
Ironically, massive bailout and pension obligation caused pension insurance premium to shoot up, causing other companies unable to afford to offer pension anymore. GM union workers are the reason we don't get pension anymore. They screwed nuts and bolts and wanted 6 figure salary with pension. Of course GM couldn't compete and bankrupt.
 
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robertosh said:
Maybe because I’m too old, but can anybody tell me why this is needed?

I don’t buy the arguments of saving time (it takes to me 2-3 seconds to unlock my car with regular remote) nor carrying less things (if you lose your phone you are really screwed - no car and no phone to call service-). I’m not very fit but I still can carry the remote of my car.

And for free you get the risks related to software: hacking, bugs, tracking…
Click to expand...
Depends how well they do it. If I lose my phone or it goes flat with the car locked, I can borrow someone else's, call her-indoors and she can remote unlock & start the car.
If I lose the only key fob I have left for our other car I'll be hunting a locksmith & an Uber, which also entails somebody else's phone.
I'm a boomer - is it age?
 
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