This marks my age, but I remember that as a kid, it was legitimately novel when cars started getting remotes to unlock them instead of manual keys. It felt like a luxury. In fact, by some fluke, I never got a remote-unlock car of my own until my 30s. It wasn’t a huge selling point for me, I suppose, even in a used car.
Fast-forward to today, and I’d automatically prefer a vehicle I can unlock with myiPhoneorApple Watch. That’s most definitely a luxury, but it also has some practical value – say if I forget my real keys, or my hands are full enough that it would be easier to use my wrist. You do have to hunt down vehicles withApple Walletsupport, unfortunately, and not all of them support the same functionality. I’ll explain a bit more about how things work before I get into the proper list, which is ever-changing – if a new vehicle has been announced, you may need to check directly with a manufacturer to verify support. Even Apple’s official data seems to lag slightly.
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How do Apple car keys work?
The varying levels of functionality
All Apple car keys let you use an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock a car. Some will also let you start it, and control other features, but that’s up to what an automaker allows. By default, keys also take advantage of Express Mode, bypassing the need to unlock your iPhone first using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. Be careful about letting your iPhone out of your sight, in other words.
Keys are initially added to the Wallet app on your iPhone, but should automatically sync to a paired Apple Watch if you have one. Follow an automaker’s app, email, or SMS instructions when it comes to creating a key. After that, if a key isn’t automatically synced to your Apple Watch, just open the Watch app, go toWallet & Apple Pay, and tap theAddbutton next to the key. You can remove a key from your devices at any time – just remember that if you do that, get a new iPhone, or reset your current iPhone, you’ll need to go through the whole setup process again.
Share keys with others by selecting them in the Wallet app and tapping theSharebutton. As needed you can adjust permissions, and require an activation code if a car doesn’t demand its own Vehicle Code. Note that to complete the sharing process, some cars may require a key fob or a device that already has an Apple car key. Don’t assume you can send a key to your partner or child remotely.
Apple’s tech relies on a mix of wireless standards: NFC, UWB (ultra-wideband), and Bluetooth. These enable three different forms of access:
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Which cars support wireless keys in Apple Wallet?
Many options, but conspicuous gaps
There’s good news and bad news here. The good news is that the list of compatible vehicles is growing. The bad news is that many brands aren’t onboard yet, even if they support CarPlay, and Apple’s database doesn’t identify which keys support remote or passive entry features. That’s something you’ll have to verify directly with an automaker on a model-by-model or even trim-by-trim basis. Some companies withhold their better tech features for more expensive trims.
Here’s the official list as of late July 2025, with confirmed model years. As a rule, you can usually assume that support will continue into new model years, but doublecheck that before signing anything at a dealership.
Mercedes-Benz
Why don’t more cars support Apple Wallet?
More brands are coming soon
There’s no one-size-fits-all explanation, but there are barriers to adopting Apple’s car key technology. For one, it won’t work unless a vehicle has NFC readers installed, and UWB radios are needed to enable passive entry. Either adds to the cost of designing and manufacturing a vehicle, and some automakers might not consider it worth it for the amount of buyers it attracts. Typically, CarPlay is more important to the average shopper.
Beyond that, there’s a cost to developing and supporting digital car keys. While Apple doesn’t charge a licensing fee as far I can tell, automakers still need to code compatibility into their software, test it, then offer support to customers. And if a company backs Apple devices, it’s likely to support Android keys as well.
The tech does seem to be gaining traction, nevertheless. At its 2025 Worldwide Developer Conference, Apple announced that more brands will be coming soon – in fact, Volvo should already be onboard. Here are the others:
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