CarKey unlocks your car with your iPhone

CarKey has been rumored for months. Back in February, a CarKey API appeared in the beta version of iOS 13.4.

The ability to use your phone as a car key isn’t new, but it’s far from mainstream. In 2018, a group of major smartphone and automotive brands in the Car Connectivity Consortium unveiled a standardized approach to NFC-unlocking technology, laying the groundwork for a feature like CarKey. Apple, Audi, BMW, General Motors, Hyundai, LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Volkswagen were involved.

There’s no word yet on additional vehicles that will support CarKey, but rest assured, this is just the beginning of digital-key technology. Apple also teased the next generation of CarKey, which will use an Ultra Wideband system allowing users to unlock their vehicles without removing their iPhone from a pocket or bag. That feature is set to go live next year.