Apple plans to add digital car key support in the Wallet app for some Volvo, Polestar and Audi vehicles. Currently, Apple’s digital car key support is limited to manufacturers such as Kia, BMW, Lotus, and a few other brands.
The digital car key feature allows iPhone and Apple Watch users to access, lock or start their vehicles by bringing their devices closer to the vehicle’s NFC reader. During this process, the Wallet application must run in the background or foreground, but there is no need to press any keys.
This possible new update was first discovered by MacRumors in the infrastructure of the Wallet application. However, the publication has not yet provided information on which models will be affected and has not made additional statements about the details.
Although Apple’s digital car key support initially started with BMW, it expanded to Kia, Lotus and other brands over time. The company now aims to make this service reach a wider user base by adding premium car manufacturers such as Volvo, Polestar and Audi to its support scope. This feature gives users full access to their vehicles with their iPhone or Apple Watch, without the need for a physical key.
Apple reflects the digitalization trend in the automotive industry
This move by Apple also reflects the rapidly advancing trend towards digitalization in the automotive industry. While fast and secure access is provided to users thanks to NFC technology, the inclusion of more brands in Apple’s ecosystem will enrich the user experience. The addition of new brands to this list is seen as part of Apple’s strategy to offer digital key technology to more vehicle users.