iPhone Car Keys Support Coming to More Audi Vehicles

[MacRumors]

Apple is preparing to bring support for its digital car key feature to select Audi vehicles in China, based on evidence uncovered by MacRumors on Apple's backend.

Specifically, the car key support relates to Audi's partnership with Chinese company FAW, which manufactures and sells Audi vehicles in the Chinese market. The joint venture produces both combustion engine and all-electric vehicles. The partnership is now on an internal Apple list of vehicles that offer car key integration, but it is not known which models the support pertains to.

Last month, car key support was implemented for models produced by SAIC-Audi, another China-based collaboration that produces Audi EVs in the country. For car key to come to Audi vehicles, the automotive company will need to add the functionality.

Introduced in 2022, Car Keys allows an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock a vehicle through the Wallet app. A digital version of a car key is stored in Wallet, and unlocking can be done by holding an Apple Watch or ‌iPhone‌ near a compatible vehicle's NFC reader.

A tap on the door handle is enough to initiate an unlock, and while Face ID authentication is a security option, Apple offers an Express Mode that eliminates the need to authenticate for a faster unlocking process.

At WWDC 2025, Apple confirmed that 13 vehicle brands would "soon" add support for digital car keys, and Audi was on the list. Other brands included were Acura, Porsche, GMC, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Rivian, Smart, Lucid Motors, Tata Motors, Hongqi, WEY, Chery, and Voyah.

Vehicles from BMW, Genesis, Kia, Hyundai, Lotus, Mercedes, Volvo, and more offer car keys support, with a list available on MacRumors.com.

Article Link: iPhone Car Keys Support Coming to More Audi Vehicles

 

[k1121j]

This and CarPlay are my new must haves

 

[Mr_Ed]

I have a car key in my phone for backup but honestly, having the fob in my pocket is easier than pulling out my phone and tapping the door handle.

 

[adrteo]

I have a car key in my phone for backup but honestly, having the fob in my pocket is easier than pulling out my phone and tapping the door handle.

Not required these days if you have an enhanced version of the digital key. For instance, my BMW has Digital Key Plus, which uses the iPhone's UWB capabilities. One can lock and start the car without having to take the phone out of a pocket or bag.

Audi sure is late to the game. BMW have had this for eons.

 

[clapag22]

I have this in my 2026 BMW (not listed in article) but I do not need to tap. It works with the phone in my pocket. I find it a little glitchy. Sometimes as soon as I walk in my garage it unlocks, sometimes I need to be standing right next to my door for a few seconds before it works.

 

[HouseLannister]

Glad to see the Korean cars (Kia/Hyundai) are getting this now on even the middle of the pack models (still an optional package with some) but odd that there is still nothing from most Japanese cars. No Honda, Mazda, Subaru. Really wish Toyota would get on this and stop with their stupid subscription services.

 

[nikon1]

Glad to see the Korean cars (Kia/Hyundai) are getting this now on even the middle of the pack models (still an optional package with some) but odd that there is still nothing from most Japanese cars. No Honda, Mazda, Subaru. Really wish Toyota would get on this and stop with their stupid subscription services.

I can only think that if this is offered to owners of Audi of America-based vehicles it will be an optional subscription priced at some ridiculous amount … and, because they can, require the ultra-expensive AudiConnect subscription!

 

[wonderings]

I have a car key in my phone for backup but honestly, having the fob in my pocket is easier than pulling out my phone and tapping the door handle.

Hopefully they are not doing it this way. On my old 2020 Outback with just the fob I would walk up to the car and pull the handle and it would unlock. Not with my Tesla it is the same, key is on my phone. If the CarKey is actually going to be something useful then Apple needs to implement it this way, using the iPhone and proximity and Auto Unlock or lock when you walk away. It would be way more of a hassle to pull out a phone to unlock and lock the car then it would be a fob which you can do by feel in your pocket.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Crazy how aggressively these Chinese automakers add features. NA customers are just getting fleeced left right and center.