Picture this: You walk up to your car, and it simply unlocks. No fumbling for keys, no digging through your bag. Your phone or smartwatch is all you need. This isn’t science fiction anymore. Since 2020, Apple has been making this a reality for many drivers with a feature called Car Keys, built right into the Wallet app.
This clever system lets you lock, unlock, and even start your compatible car using your iPhone or Apple Watch. A growing number of car brands now offer this. We’re talking Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo, plus many others. More carmakers are adding it all the time. It really changes how we think about getting into our cars.
Car Keys uses two main technologies. For older compatible cars, it relies on NFC, or Near Field Communication. Think of it like making a payment with your phone; you just tap it close to the car door handle. To start the car, you place your iPhone on a special base inside. For newer vehicles, Car Keys uses Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology, often found in iPhones with the U1 chip. This is even more hands-free. Your car can sense your device from a distance, so you don’t even have to take your phone out of your pocket.
How it works to get you on the road:
1. Check if your car is ready.
Your car needs to be a specific model that supports Car Keys. This usually means it works with Apple CarPlay. Car manufacturers must set up their cars to connect with the Apple Wallet app.
2. Add the key to your Wallet.
After you set up your car using its own app, you’ll get an option to add the digital key to your Apple Wallet. This digital key is then linked to your Apple ID and your device.
3. Unlock, lock, and start your car.
As mentioned, for NFC cars, you tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on the door handle. Then you place your iPhone on the car’s pad to start the engine. With UWB, the car senses your device from a distance. This means you can just walk up and open the car without even touching your phone.
4. Share the key with others.
Need to let someone else borrow your car? You can share a digital key through iMessage. You can also set rules for them, like only letting them unlock the car, or giving them full driving access. It’s like handing over a spare key, but smarter.
5. Feel secure.
Your digital car key is protected. You use Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode to keep it safe. If you ever lose your iPhone, you can remove the car key remotely using iCloud. This gives you peace of mind.
While Apple has a list of compatible vehicles, it’s not always the most current. Here’s a more up-to-date rundown of cars that support Apple Car Keys:
Vehicles Compatible with Apple Car Keys
Audi
- Models from 2025 or newer
BMW
- Models from 2021 or newer:
- 1 Series
- 2 Series
- 3 Series
- 4 Series
- 5 Series
- 6 Series
- 8 Series
- X5
- X6
- X7
- X5 M
- X6 M
- Z4
- Electric models:
- i4 (since 2022)
- iX (since 2022)
- iX1 (since 2022)
- iX3 (since 2022)
- i3 (since 2023)
- i7 (since 2023)
- i5 (since 2024)
MINI
- Aceman (produced since May 2024)
- Cooper (3-door) C / S (since March 2024)
- Cooper (3-door) E / SE (since November 2023)
- Cooper (5-door) (since July 2024)
- Countryman (since November 2023)
Hyundai
- Palisade (since 2023)
- Elantra (since 2024)
- Kauyai (since 2024)
- Santa Fe (since 2024)
- Sonata (since 2024)
- Tucson (since 2025)
- Santa Cruz (since 2025)
- IONIQ 5 (since 2025)
- IONIQ 6 (since 2023)
- IONIQ 9 (since 2026)
Kia
- Telluride (since 2023)
- Niro (since 2023)
- Seltos (since 2023)
- EV3 (since 2024)
- EV6 (since 2024)
- EV9 (since 2024)
- Sorento (since 2024)
- Carnival (since 2025)
Genesis
- GV60 (since 2023)
- G90 (since 2023)
- G70 (since 2024)
Mercedes-Benz
- E-Class (since 2024)
- EQE (since 2025)
- EQS (since 2025)
Polestar
- All Polestar 3 models
- All Polestar 4 models
RAM
No specific models yet, but RAM is on the list.
Volvo
- EX30 (since 2024)
- EX90 (since 2024)
Lotus
- Eletre (since 2024)
- Emeya (since 2024)
Other Manufacturers
Some other brands have also started adding Car Keys support. These include BYD and Lynk & Co.
Upcoming Vehicles
During its WWDC 2025 presentation last month, Apple said that 13 more car manufacturers would soon offer Car Keys in their vehicle models:
- Acura
- Chevrolet
- Cadillac
- GMC
- Porsche
- Rivian
- Smart
- Lucid Motors
- Tata Motors
- Hongqi
- WEY
- Chery
- Voyah
