Apple is quietly widening the circle of cars that can be unlocked, started and shared from your iPhone or Apple Watch. Internal traces and company hints point to a coming expansion: 13 additional vehicle brands are expected to gain support for Apple Wallet’s Car Key feature, bringing the total supported makers to roughly 33.
What Car Key actually does
If you haven't used Apple’s Car Key, the experience is straightforward: add a digital key to Wallet, then use your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock and start the car. Implementations vary by maker — some cars offer passive entry (the car unlocks as you approach), others require holding the device near a reader, and many support remote functions like locking/unlocking from afar. Apple uses NFC for most pairings and Ultra Wideband (UWB) for higher-precision, hands-free approaches on compatible devices. Security layers include biometric checks (Face ID/Touch ID) and an Express Mode for circumstances where instant access is needed.
You can even share keys with friends or revoke them if a device is lost — a level of convenience that explains why automakers are paying attention.
Who’s on the list (and what we’ve seen so far)
The roster Apple flagged internally — and which has been reported by multiple outlets — includes:
- Acura
- Cadillac
- Chery
- Chevrolet
- GMC
- Hongqi
- Lucid
- Porsche
- Rivian
- Smart
- Tata
- Voyah
- WEY
That list is the one most often surfaced in server traces. Rivian, for example, has publicly confirmed a rollout for some models this month, which suggests these integrations are moving from "planned" to "live" for at least a few manufacturers.
Separately, code hints and regional entries have pointed toward other Audi variants and local joint-venture models in China getting Car Key support — a reminder that manufacturers sometimes roll features out market-by-market rather than globally.
Why this matters beyond convenience
Digital keys aren't just a novelty. They plug smartphones deeper into the ownership experience: key sharing for rentals or family members, remote commands, and cleaner UX without a physical fob. For automakers, offloading functionality into software reduces friction for updates and can be a selling point in a market where buyers expect seamless phone-to-car interactions.
There are tradeoffs. More integrations mean more moving parts: certification, security testing, and cross-company coordination. Apple participates in industry groups that aim to standardize digital-key protocols, but fragmentation across vendors and regions remains a challenge.
Security and regulatory notes
Apple’s implementation emphasizes encryption and device-based authentication. Still, as digital keys proliferate, vehicle cybersecurity becomes a higher-stakes issue; incidents targeting keyless systems in the past have demonstrated what can go wrong when protocols or hardware aren’t robust. Regional rules about data and device behavior can also shape how features are deployed — for instance, Apple has had to adapt device-level features for EU regulations before, affecting how iPhone–Apple Watch syncing and other behaviors work in certain markets.
If you rely on an Apple Watch for keys, you can shop for one Apple Watch models that pair tightly with Wallet and Apple’s ecosystem.
Where this fits in Apple’s broader push
Adding the new brands fits a pattern: Apple continues to tuck daily-life functions into Wallet and Services, nudging iPhones and Watches closer to the center of users' routines. Some recent iOS updates pushed improvements across CarPlay and system-level integrations; those platform moves make automotive features feel more natural in day-to-day use — a point that echoes in reports about enhancements arriving in iOS 26 and related updates Apple Podcasts in iOS 26.2 Adds Auto‑Generated Chapters.
At the same time, Apple must navigate evolving regional rules and service-level changes; other platform adjustments have already prompted shifts in how devices behave in the EU, which could influence how quickly or widely car key features appear there Apple to Disable iPhone–Apple Watch Wi‑Fi Sync in EU as DMA Deadline Looms. And as Wallet ties into more vehicle systems, the broader services strategy — including how Siri and other assistants are used in cars — becomes part of the picture Apple to Use a Custom Google Gemini Model to Power Next‑Gen Siri.
So, when will you get it?
Apple hasn’t given a hard public timetable for all 13 brands. Some rollouts, like Rivian’s, are already underway; others will likely arrive via manufacturer software updates and new model years. Expect a staggered schedule: some markets and models will gain support first, and global parity may take months.
If your carmaker appears on the list, keep an eye on your vehicle’s official app or firmware notices and on Apple’s Wallet app for the option to add a digital key.
Whether you love the idea of leaving a physical fob at home or worry about swapping one security problem for another, this next wave of Car Key support is a clear sign that our phones will keep eating more keys — automotive ones included. Imagine lending a car by message instead of passing over a plastic fob; that convenience is what’s driving makers to adopt the tech, even as questions about timing, standards and safety get worked out in the background.