I'm glad you mentioned 'unlock the door to my house'. Do you or any other readers here have a smart home lock? If so, what do you think? I'm considering it as we have to replace our front door, which will include a new lock.
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Here's Which Vehicles Offer iPhone Car Keys
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Agreed, total game changer. This list should note which ones support UWB, I think it’s probably much shorter.
There’s two different technologies at play here, NFC and ultrawideband. The NFC version lets you either tap the phone to open using Express mode, no need to confirm who you are (a lot like Apple Pay Express mode), or you can have it confirm who you are with Express mode off, but you still need to tap NFC.
The second technology is ultrawideband. It enables the phone to remain in pocket and open the door automatically as long as you’re close enough to the door, it also can tell if the phone is in the car or out and if you’re walking away it can lock the car automatically. Basically with UWB it’s like a regular wireless keyfob.
Also, you may think just use UWB only and not use NFC, but the NFC version lets you tap the phone on power reserve so that the phone can have very low battery (too low to boot) and you can still get into the car.
Your phone dies while you are out and about and now you can’t get into your car. If you had Apple Car Key, even a dead iPhone will open your car. Plenty of other perks (see attached), though most of these are invisible to the end user. The Tesla app uses basic Bluetooth which can likely be cracked.
Attachments
Maybe. I must say that I'm absolutely fine with the physical key. We've just had another data breach here against QANTAS, and there have been many high profile customers breached over the last few years, and almost always there is a need to visit a physical store or branch of same to get it sorted.
I'm sure one day insurance companies will pick up on these electronic methods which are riskier and charge higher premiums (they look for any excuse!).
The risk of physical break ins are localised, but the risk of digital break ins are global, which, sadly, makes some people wary of tech. I love tech, always have, but when someone comes into your house you can belt them around the head with a fry pan, but I can't do that to someone in another location.
Nothing for volks wagen?
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further.
Apple has a web page with a list of vehicle models that support iPhone car keys, but it has not been updated in a while, so it is missing some recent additions. Our list below is more up to date, but if we are missing any vehicles, let us know.
Existing Vehicles
Audi
BMW
- 2025 and newer A5
- 2025 and newer Q5
- 2025 and newer SQ5
- 2025 and newer A6
- 2025 and newer S6
- 2025 and newer Q6
- 2025 and newer SQ6
MINI
- 2021 and newer 1 Series
- 2021 and newer 2 Series
- 2021 and newer 3 Series
- 2021 and newer 4 Series
- 2021 and newer 5 Series
- 2021 and newer 6 Series
- 2021 and newer 8 Series
- 2021 and newer X5
- 2021 and newer X6
- 2021 and newer X7
- 2021 and newer X5 M
- 2021 and newer X6 M
- 2021 and newer Z4
- 2022 and newer i4
- 2022 and newer iX
- 2022 and newer iX1
- 2022 and newer iX3
- 2023 and newer i3
- 2023 and newer i7
- 2024 and newer i5
Hyundai
- Aceman (produced from May 2024)
- Cooper (3-door) C / S (produced from March 2024)
- Cooper (3-door) E / SE (produced from November 2023)
- Cooper (5-door) (produced from July 2024)
- Countryman (produced from November 2023)
Kia
- 2023 and newer Palisade
- 2024 and newer Elantra
- 2024 and newer Kona
- 2024 and newer Santa Fe
- 2024 and newer Sonata
- 2025 and newer Tucson
- 2025 and newer Santa Cruz
- 2025 and newer IONIQ 5
- 2023 and newer IONIQ 6
- 2026 and newer IONIQ 9
Genesis
- 2023 and newer Telluride
- 2023 and newer Niro
- 2023 and newer Seltos
- 2024 and newer EV3
- 2024 and newer EV9
- 2024 and newer Sorento
- 2025 and newer Carnival
Mercedes-Benz
- 2023 and newer GV60
- 2023 and newer G90
- 2024 and newer G70
Polestar
- 2024 and newer E‑Class
- 2025 and newer EQE
- 2025 and newer EQS
RAM
- All models of the Polestar 3
- All models of the Polestar 4
Volvo
- 2025 and newer RAM 1500
Lotus
- 2024 and newer EX30
- 2024 and newer EX90
A few other automakers have started rolling out iPhone car keys, such as BYD and Lynk & Co.
- 2024 and newer Eletre
- 2024 and newer Emeya
Availability may vary by country.
Future Vehicles
During its WWDC 2025 keynote last month, Apple said that the following 13 automakers would "soon" offer vehicle models with iPhone car keys:
For Rivian, this will include the second-generation R1S and R1T and newer, according to a press release from more than a year ago.
- Acura
- Chevrolet
- Cadillac
- GMC
- Porsche
- Rivian
- Smart
- Lucid Motors
- Tata Motors
- Hongqi
- WEY
- Chery
- Voyah
Article Link: Here's Which Vehicles Offer iPhone Car Keys
That is one big negative that if the phone dies, then you don’t have a key. That’s why they always tell you to keep a spare key card on you. If it was in the Apple key, then that would be perfect. I wonder if Apple requires the vehicle to have CarPlay to use Apple key. I don’t think those would technically be related, but I can understand Apple demanding CarPlay just because they want to have their software more widespread.
While the phone key may use Bluetooth it acts like the UWB in the sense you don’t have to take your phone out or do anything. All you have to have is your phone on you.
You would use your physical key card to unlock the doors and start the vehicle. It’s the size of a credit card and I carry mine in my wallet with me.
They don’t. Rivian for instance is going with Apple Car key but won’t support Carplay.
Also, to be clear, the Power Reserve feature needs some battery power, it only lasts a few hours after the phone lost enough power to boot. So it’s not 100% a replacement for a real key card or key fob with dedicated battery.
iPhone XS or SE 2nd gen or later, Apple Watch 5 or SE or later.How about a list of iPhone devices that support this feature?
Add your car key to Apple Wallet on your iPhone or Apple Watch - Apple Support
You can add your car key to the Wallet app, and use your iPhone or Apple Watch to lock, unlock, and start your car.
Easily one of my favorite features along with HomeKey. I haven’t carried keys with me in over a year and I always hated the bulk it produced in my pocket. Won’t even consider a car or a door lock without this.
As inconsequential as this feature may seem to some, this will be one of my main considerations for my next car. I have a VW and the key fob is huge and heavy. It really annoys me every day. A key card would be immensely better, but I want to do away with my wallet too as well as my keys. Digital everything with keycode backup for car and home is the dream.
This is a fantastic feature, I wish all cars had it. Mine does and it doesn't sound like much but not having to carry a massive key fob around is fantastic. It's also great to just text my key to someone who needs in my car.
Surprised Ford is not on any list. Their app for starting works great and Apple Play has been flawless in my truck.
The one and only thing I miss about my Tesla is that all I needed to have on me was my watch or phone. Never needed to press a lock or unlock button, never needed to find a fob, never even had to think about it. That app was really nice IMO.
I vastly prefer my new Civic as a vehicle, but still don't like the fob. Their app really sucks (and it requires you have a cell signal just to do anything with your car - not good in remote areas).
I vastly prefer my new Civic as a vehicle, but still don't like the fob. Their app really sucks (and it requires you have a cell signal just to do anything with your car - not good in remote areas).
I have been using it for past 5 years. Mine is Apple home kit comparable, I can unlock/lock from Apple home. I like it if I have to give temp pin to a guest, and not worry if I locked the door when I travel.
Nope. The ultra wideband version of car keys functions like a modern keyless entry. You can approach the door and the car will unlock when you put your hand to the door handle. You can start the car and drive with the phone in your pocket.
I use a Schlage. It's been very reliable. Can assign keypad codes to others. Also has regular key access. Compatible with HomeKit (works well) and can unlock and open door lock from anywhere. Also has NFC so can unlock by bringing my Apple watch or iPhone close to the lock. Option of needing to unlock the iPhone or watch to enable unlocking.
Yeah I don’t know what apple car key would do? Like what is the difference with what Tesla has already?
This has already been answered earlier in the thread. Look back through it for complete info. To summarize -- compared to Tesla's own app, Apple car keys offer:
• superior sharing with others (as long as they are also iPhone users)
• superior reliability in low-battery situations
• superior security (especially when using UWB)
• superior privacy