Your iPhone or Apple Watch is becoming increasingly important in everyday life and can already function as a payment card, transport card or hotel and house key. It is also possible to add your car. With Apple Wallet you can store your digital car key and then lock, unlock and even start your car without a traditional key.
The technology behind this function is called CarKey and Apple uses NFC, Ultra-Wideband (on new models) and Express mode in Wallet. Whether it works depends on the make and model of your car, as not all cars offer all features. The number of car manufacturers supporting Apple CarKey has increased in recent years, with brands such as Kia, BMW, Audi, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz. According to Apple, more brands will be added in the coming years.
Conditions for digital car keys
You can add a digital car key to the Wallet app and use your iPhone or Apple Watch to lock, unlock, and start your car. To add and use a car key you will need:
- A compatible car. Check with the manufacturer or dealer to see if your car is compatible. Apple has too a list of makes and models which you can recognize by the key.
- iPhone XS or later or iPhone SE (2nd generation) with the latest version of iOS, or an Apple Watch Series 5 or later or Apple Watch SE with the latest version of watchOS.
- You must be logged in to your device with your Apple Account.
In addition, you must have linked your car to the manufacturer’s account via a specific app, an e-mail or an SMS link that you receive from the dealer or car manufacturer. In some cases you can even initiate the configuration step via the dashboard display, where you will see a menu about ‘digital car key’ or ‘Apple Wallet’. If your car is not in the list of CarKey‑compatible models unfortunately you cannot use this function yet.
Add car key to Apple Wallet
Open the app, the car manufacturer’s email or text message, or use your car’s display to follow the instructions for configuring a key. You may need to create an account with your car manufacturer and link it to your vehicle.
- Tap Continue to open the Wallet app
- Follow the steps on the screen
- Place the top center portion of the iPhone on the key reader to pair your iPhone and car, if prompted.
- Confirm your identity to place the car key in the Wallet app
When you add the car key on your iPhone, it may be automatically added to your paired Apple Watch. You may also see an option to add the car key to your paired Apple Watch.
You can also manually add the car key to your Apple Watch. In the Apple Watch app on your paired iPhone, tapWallet and Apple Pay‘ and then click the ‘ buttonAdd‘ next to your car key.
Using a digital car key
You can use your car key on your iPhone or Apple Watch to lock, unlock, or start your car. The features available and how you use your key depend on the model of your car. Contact your manufacturer or dealer to find out what options your key offers.
Control via the Wallet app
In the Wallet app you will sometimes see additional control buttons, such as a button to lock or unlock remotely, but this is only possible if your car has an iPhone 11 or newer or Apple Watch Series 6 or newer and is within Bluetooth range of the car.
- Open the Wallet app
- Navigate to the car key
- Select a desired option
Express mode
Once your car key is in Wallet, Express mode is automatically enabled. That means you can lock, unlock or start your car without first unlocking your iPhone or Apple Watch or using your passcode or biometrics; the key communicates directly via NFC or Ultra Wide Band. Passive access is available for some cars: your car automatically unlocks when you approach with your compatible iPhone 11 or later (or Apple Watch Series 6 or later), locks again when you walk away, and starts when you sit in the car and press the start button.
With other models, you use the key based on proximity: you simply hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the key reader or door handle to unlock or lock, and place your iPhone in the reader or bring your Apple Watch nearby to start the car.
Share and secure your car key
The Wallet app also makes it possible to share a car key via AirDrop, Mail, Messages or other apps you normally use. This way you can also give other family members and/or friends access to your car.
- Open the Wallet app
- Navigate to the car key
- Tap the share button
- Choose a sharing option; for example AirDrop
You can then determine permissions (for example, lock/unlock only) and set an activation code for extra security. Some brands require a vehicle or activation code that requires the recipient to activate his or her key before it is functional.
If your device is lost or stolen, you can mark it as lost in iCloud. This will automatically deactivate your car key and Wallet cards on that device, preventing unauthorized users from having access. However, keep in mind that shared keys on other devices are not automatically deactivated; you must therefore ask the recipient whether the shared key is also deleted.