It has been possible for some time to turn your iPhone into a digital car key thanks to the Car Keys function. Thanks to this feature, you can use your iPhone to open the car, start it and drive away. The first manufacturer to enable Carkey on new cars is BMW, with several brands to follow later.
The CarKey function uses the NFC chip that is standard in the iPhone XR, XS, 11, 11 Pro and newer. The first car that supports CarKey is the BMW 540, which has been available since the summer of 2020, and BMW also has cars that offer the digital car key with ultra-wideband technology.
Set up CarKey via wallet app
Setting up Carkey is done via the Wallet app and is completed via an app from the car manufacturer itself. This process is very similar to linking your debit card to Apple Pay. You must also complete the activation process in your bank’s app. The data used by Car Keys is stored in the ‘secured enclave’ of your iPhone and is therefore protected against misuse.
After a completed activation it is possible to open and start the car. To open the car, unlock your iPhone with Face ID or passcode, hold the iPhone near the door handle and the door will unlock. To start the car, place the iPhone on the charger and press the start button.
By using the special ‘express mode’ it is possible to open your car by just holding your iPhone near the reader. In express mode you do not have to unlock your iPhone first.
The ‘express mode’ is of course less safe, if a thief steals your iPhone, he can also make off with your car. If this unexpectedly happens to you, you can immediately cancel the CarKey authorization via iCloud. A similar option is already available for Apple Pay bank cards.
You can easily ‘lend’ the digital car keys to other users. You can authorize the Car Key for other people via the Wallet app. You can give them full access to your car or only limited rights. For example, you can only give a person the option to open the trunk.
NFC or ultrawideband
Initially, CarKey only uses NFC. The use of NFC is necessary, because you also want to be able to use your car when your iPhone is empty. If your iPhone is empty, you can still open your car within 5 hours using Carkey.
Since 2021, BMW also has Digital Car Key Plus, which is an improved version of the existing digital car key and uses ultra-wideband technology in addition to NFC. Thanks to the U1 Ultra wideband chip or newer, it is possible to open your car without having to take your iPhone out of your pocket or hold it in the handle for the reader.
The U-chip is so accurate that you actually have to stand next to the car door before it opens. A few steps further ensures that the car is locked. So if you are at the checkout in the supermarket, the car will not just open.
The U1 chip is present in the iPhone 11 (Pro) or newer, but also in the Apple Watch Ultra and Series 6 or newer. The first car to use ultra-wideband technology for car keys was the BMW iX, a fully electric car that will be released in Europe this year. The UWB feature requires iOS 15 or later.
More possibilities
In addition to ultrawideband for Wallet, Apple has also added some extra options for digital car keys. This way you can operate your car at a short distance with the digital key card. Including opening the doors, operating the trunk, etc.
To lock and unlock remotely you need at least an iPhone 11 (Pro), an Apple Watch Ultra or Series 6. Older devices do not have an ultrawideband chip.
Brands and supporting models
Carkey, like CarPlay, is housed in it Car Connectivity Consortium. This is a partnership of car manufacturers that aims to standardize technical innovation. Almost all car manufacturers are affiliated with the CCC. As a result, Carkey such as CarPlay will eventually be offered by more brands in new models.
Currently, some models from the car manufacturers below offer digital car keys. This concerns BMW, Kia, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Genesis and BYD. Click here to consult all models, which can be recognized by the key symbol in front of the model name. Please refer to your car dealer for more information.
Supporting devices for CarKeys
Car Keys can be used on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone SE (2nd generation) or newer. The Apple Watch can also open your car, but for this you must have an Apple Watch Ultra, SE 2nd generation, Series 5 or newer. You must also have at least iOS 13.6 and/or WatchOS 6.2.8 installed.