Gadgets

How to use your iPhone as a car key fob

Published

4 months ago

August 31, 2024

Empowerment

Key Takeaways

If your iPhone and car are compatible, you should be prompted to add a key to the iOS Wallet app.

There are three forms of key entry: passive, proximity, and remote.

You can share a key with others, including restricted permissions if necessary.

For better and worse, our smartphones have become the keys to our lives. From trains, planes, buildings, wallets, and even finding jobs, the pocket-sized super computers really are taking over. However, cars are actually lagging a little behind, but there are a growing number of vehicles that support Apple car key if you have a compatible iPhone. Even Android users have their own version of the technology.

So how do you go about using an iPhone as a key fob? Here’s what you need to know about compatibility, basic instructions, and more.

Which iPhones support Apple car key?

Passive entry requires a new device

To use the feature, you’ll need at least an iPhone XS or second-generation iPhone SE. You can also use a paired Apple Watch, but the minimum is a Series 5 or SE. Any device you use should be updated to the latest possible version of iOS or watchOS.

For passive entry — that is, unlocking a car by walking towards it — the requirements are higher. You need an iPhone 11 and/or an Apple Watch Series 6, since anything released prior won’t have the necessary UWB (ultra-wideband) radio.

Which cars support Apple car key?

BMW leads the pack

BMW

There aren’t many supported models so far, and you’ll notice that most of them belong to BMW. You’re also not going to find any budget options — the closest you’ll come are vehicles from Kia and Hyundai.

Here’s a breakdown by brand as of early August 2024. Check with dealers when you’re shopping, since new models are launching all the time, and some existing ones could potentially be updated with Apple support.