Unlock Your Car With Your iPhone: Full List of Supported Cars
Explore how Apple Wallet’s car key transforms your iPhone into your most convenient, secure car key—plus the latest on supported cars and future adoption.
The idea of using your iPhone to unlock and start your car has moved from a futuristic concept to a present-day reality. Since its introduction at WWDC 2020, Apple’s car key feature in the Wallet app has been slowly but surely gaining traction, transforming the relationship between your device and your vehicle. While adoption hasn’t been explosive, a growing list of major automakers are embracing the technology, signaling a significant shift in how we access our cars.
But how does it actually work, and is your next car on the list? We’ll break down the powerful features of Apple’s car key, explore the vehicles that support it, and look at what the future holds for this seamless technology. This is your definitive guide to leaving your physical car keys behind.
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What is Apple Car Key and How Does It Work?
At its core, Apple’s car key feature digitizes your car key and securely stores it in the Wallet app on your iPhone or Apple Watch. This allows you to lock, unlock, and start your car without needing the physical fob. The technology is designed for security and convenience, offering several ways to interact with your vehicle, depending on the automaker’s implementation.
Key Features You Need to Know
Passive Entry: This is the most seamless experience. Simply approach your vehicle with your iPhone or Apple Watch, and the doors will automatically unlock. Once inside, you can start the car. When you get out and walk away, the car locks itself. It’s the magic of proximity without ever needing to take your device out of your pocket or bag.
Proximity Unlock: For cars that don’t support passive entry, you can hold your device near the door handle or the car’s designated NFC key reader to lock or unlock it. To start the engine, you place your iPhone in the car’s key reader or smartphone tray.
Remote Functions: Beyond just proximity, the Wallet app allows you to perform remote actions. You can lock or unlock your car from a distance, sound the horn, or even pre-heat the cabin, depending on the features offered by the manufacturer.
The Power of Express Mode and Power Reserve
Two of the most insightful features of Apple car key are Express Mode and Power Reserve, which address potential real-world problems.
Express Mode: This allows you to use your car key without needing to wake or unlock your device, or authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. It provides the same effortless speed as a traditional key fob, removing any friction from the process.
Power Reserve: What happens if your iPhone’s battery dies? Apple thought of that. The car key feature can work for up to five hours after your iPhone shows the low-battery screen, giving you a crucial window to get where you need to go.
Sharing your key is also incredibly simple and secure. You can send a digital copy to family or friends via Messages, Mail, or AirDrop, and you can set limitations, such as restricting access or only allowing them to unlock the doors but not start the car.
Which Cars Support Apple Wallet Car Key?
The list of automakers integrating Apple car key is steadily growing, moving from a niche feature on luxury BMWs to a more widely available option across various brands and price points. As of late 2025, here is the official list of supported brands and models.
Audi
2025+ models including A5, A6, Q5, Q6, SQ5, S6
BMW
Most 2021+ models, including the 1-8 Series, X1-X7, Z4, and i-Series electric vehicles.
BYD
2022+ HAN
Genesis
Various 2023+ models including the GV60, G90, and upcoming G70, G80, and GV80 models.
Hyundai
2023+ Palisade and IONIQ 6
2024+ Kona EV and Santa Fe
2025+ IONIQ 5
Kia
2023+ Telluride and Niro
2024+ Seltos and EV9
Lotus
2024+ Eletre and Emeya
Mercedes-Benz
2024+ E-Class
2025+ EQS and EQE
MINI
Various models with production dates starting in late 2023 and 2024, including the Cooper, Countryman, and Aceman.
NIO
ET7
Polestar
Polestar 3 and Polestar 4
RAM
2025 RAM 1500
Rivian
Second-generation R1T and R1S
Volvo
2024+ EX90 and EX30
The Road Ahead: More Brands are on Board
The current list is just the beginning. At WWDC 2025, Apple announced a new wave of automakers committed to supporting the car key feature. The expansion includes some of the biggest names in the industry, promising to make this technology far more mainstream.
Brands coming soon include:
Acura
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Chery
GMC
Hongqi
Jetour
Lucid Motors
Porsche
Smart
Tata Motors
Voyah
WEY
General Motors (GM) has also confirmed plans to roll out car key support to select vehicles in its lineup, which is a massive step toward mass adoption in the North American market.
The Inevitable Future of the Car Key
Apple’s car key is more than just a cool feature; it’s a strategic move to further embed the iPhone into the fabric of our daily lives. By creating a secure, user-friendly standard, Apple is positioning the Wallet app as the central hub for your digital credentials—from payment cards and transit passes to your driver’s license and, now, your car key.
While the transition away from physical keys will take time, the momentum is undeniable. As more automakers join the platform and the technology becomes standard on a wider range of vehicles, the day when your iPhone is the only key you need is rapidly approaching. For Apple users, it represents the kind of seamless integration that the ecosystem is known for—one that simplifies life by making technology disappear into the background.
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