Apple’s mission to completely replace the physical wallet with its Wallet app is gaining new momentum. Although numerous new CarPlay features were introduced in the new iOS, the company is also preparing a major expansion for one of the most practical functions – digital car keys. According to the latest information reported by the 9to5Mac portal, support is coming for as many as 13 new vehicle manufacturers.
Here is a list of those manufacturers:
- Acura
- Cadillac
- Chery
- Chevrolet
- GMC
- Hongqi
- Lucid
- Porsche
- Rivian
- Smart
- Tata
- Voyah
- WEY
After these 13 new brands introduce support, the total number of vehicle manufacturers compatible with the Apple Car Key feature will rise to 33. Rivian, Hyundai, Genesis, Kia and BYD should also receive support.
What is a Car Key anyway?
The Car Key feature, introduced back in 2020, allows owners to use their iPhone or Apple Watch as a fully functional car key. This eliminates the need to carry a physical key, and everything is securely stored within the Wallet application.
Implementation varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, with some using NFC technology (requires touching the device), while more advanced systems use Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology that allows the vehicle to be unlocked without removing the iPhone from the pocket.