Apple Just Changed the Way You Unlock Your Car Forever: 13 New Brands Join CarKey Revolution!

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At WWDC 2025, Apple announced that its digital car key (CarKey) feature will soon be available for 13 additional automotive brands. With this expansion, iPhone and Apple Watch users will be able to unlock and start vehicles from even more brands without physical keys. This marks the largest single addition of partners since CarKey was first introduced in 2020, expanding Apple’s digital car key ecosystem from over 20 manufacturers to more than 30 brands.

 

Newly Added Brands

• Premium brands such as Porsche and Cadillac
• Electric vehicle manufacturers including Rivian and Lucid
• GM subsidiaries Chevrolet and GMC, as well as Honda’s Acura division
• Global brands such as Tata Motors from India, and Hongqi, WEY, Chery, and Voyah from China

 

Key Features of Digital Car Key

• Encrypted digital keys can be stored in Apple Wallet on iPhone or Apple Watch
• Automatic unlocking and engine start via NFC or ultra-wideband (UWB) technology when approaching the vehicle
• Key sharing and secondary driver permissions can be managed through iMessage
• Enhanced security with Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode
• Express Mode allows for quick unlocking without authentication
• Lost keys can be remotely disabled via iCloud or Find My

 

Gradual Expansion and Industry Response

• After its initial launch with BMW in 2020, support gradually expanded to brands like Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo
• Recently, models such as the Volvo EX30, select Audi vehicles, and Rivian have joined the list
• Tata Motors is the first Indian automaker to adopt CarKey, signaling Apple’s expansion into the global automotive market
• Supported vehicles are typically limited to newer models and higher-end trims, and require iPhone XS or later, or Apple Watch Series 5 or later

 

 

Security and Technical Highlights

• Keys are stored in the Secure Element chip on iPhone or Apple Watch, inaccessible to Apple or automakers
• Uses advanced encryption technologies such as ECC and AES
• Key sharing via iMessage is protected with end-to-end encryption and authentication

 

 

Future Outlook

• While Apple has not specified exact rollout dates for each brand, a global rollout is expected within 2025
• As the integration of smartphones and vehicles accelerates, digital keys are poised to become the new standard for car ownership and sharing

This expansion reflects Apple’s ongoing strategy to enhance vehicle digitization, user convenience, and security. It is expected that CarKey will become a standard feature across more brands and models in the near future.