Apple CarKey now supports select Genesis and Kia 2022 models. Previously, the CarKey feature was only available on select BMW models.
Apple launched the CarKey feature in 2020 that enables owners of compatible cars to add a digital car key in their iPhone Wallet app so they can remotely unlock, lock and start the vehicle with their compatible iPhone and Apple Watch. The Digital Key 3.0 update added support for Ultra-Wideband and Bluetooth LE connectivity to introduce location-aware keyless access and location-aware features which allows owners to unlock their cars without taking their iPhones out of the bag or pocket. Users can also share their CarKey with friends and family.
Automobile models compatible with Apple CarKey
Last year, iOS 15 code revealed that Apple Pay’s NFC feature references listed Genesis as a “partner” for supported car access terminals. Since Genesis 2021 GV80 and G80 models offered support for digital keys for Android smartphones, it was expected that those models will also support Apple CarKey in the future. Although Genesis now supports Apple’s digital car key, it is available on different models than the aforementioned models.
Apple updated the CarPlay support page which listed all compatible automobile models with the service and also lists new models that support CarKey. Along with BMW models, Genesis and Kia’s models are also listed as compatible with iPhone’s digital car key.
Genesis
- 2022 GV60
- 2022 G90
Kia
- 2022 Niro
BMW
- 1 Series (2021 – 2022)
- 2 Series (2021 – 2022)
- 3 Series (2021 – 2022)
- 4 Series (2021 – 2022)
- 5 Series (2021 – 2022)
- 6 Series (2021 – 2022)
- 8 Series (2021 – 2022)
- X5 (2021 – 2022)
- X6 (2021 – 2022)
- X7 (2021 – 2022)
- X5 M (2021 – 2022)
- X6 M (2021 – 2022)
- Z4 (2021 – 2022)
- i4 (2021 – 2022)
Along with Genesis, it was also expected that select Hyundai models will also support the CarKey feature after the manufacturer obtained digital key API from Apple and Tesla’s FCC filing included support for ultra-wideband communication which was presumed to be for Apple’s digital key.
Users of iPhone XS or newer models on the latest iOS version and Apple Watch Series 5 or newer models on the latest watchOS version can add the digital car key of the compatible vehicle in the Wallet app. It must be kept in mind that users need to be the owner of the account provided by the automobile manufacturer and have to make sure that the compatible car is connected to the account.
