Can you imagine that your iPhone can open your vehicle’s door and start the car? No more miss managing the keys or worrying about misplacing them. Now you can ditch your car keys with this feature of the iPhone.
Apple Car Key Feature
It is a digital version of car keys. Apple Car Key lets you lock, unlock or even start your car wirelessly with your iPhone. It’s a new update of iOS that came out the 13.6, which came along with the option to add your car key to your wallet app on your phone and your Apple watch cool feature. Your phone will be able to communicate with the car’s computer to unlock the door simply by tapping it on the door handle. Moreover
- You can operate this feature even if your phone is in your pocket.
- Apple car keys can work for 5 hours after your iPhone’s battery dies.
- Unfortunately, the Apple car key is available for specific cars and iPhone models.
Find out Apple Car Key supports your iPhone
This Apple Car Key feature is only available to the iPhone with IOS 13.6 or later on specific iPhone models. Even if you have this version of the software on your iPhone, Car Key supports you only if you have the following models of iPhone
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro,11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
Can I get my Apple Car Key?
It only depends upon the type of car you are using. Right now, the vehicles which support the Apple car key are these BMW models
- 1 Series, 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 8 Series
- X5, X6, X7
- M5, M8
- X5 M, X6 M
- Z4
How does it work?
You’ll need two things: a compatible BMW and the BMW app on your iPhone. You just go up to your new BMW’s car door, and you want to have your key in your pocket as well as the phone as well, and you want to remove the phone from your pocket and put it close to the door handle once you’ve done that you can go ahead into the car. You could place the phone on the minor key wireless charger, and all you have to do is, you have to sit in the car with your car keys and your phone. You want to Press the start pairing button on the BMW connected menu on the screen, and when you want to press the start button on the vehicle. Then you’ll notice that your iPhone will start syncing with the NFC sensor and the key wireless charge you have in your car. Then once you’re done, you head over to your wallet app on your phone, where your digital key will be stored. Don’t forget to put your phone in the NEC car key reader area to start the vehicle. Without it, it will not begin, so now, when you leave the house, you don’t need to take your car keys, grab your phone and be on your merry way.
Does Apple Watch also work with the Apple Car Key?
The answer is Yes, with the compatible version of the Apple Watch. This means that you can unlock your car by only swiping your wrist and holding it near the NFC reader to start your vehicle’s engine.
This feature works for the Apple Watch series five or later.
Security Benefits
Digital keys have security benefits. They have a secure element in your iPhone, and if it goes missing, you can turn off your keys remotely with the help of iCloud. For more security, there is an option to disable express mode; through this, your car will unlock only with your Face ID or Touch ID. This feature makes it more secure than your regular standard keys.
Apple Car Key Can be Shared via Text.
With iMessage, you can share with up to 5 people from wherever you are. They’re even more accessible to share than physical car key copies. With each key you share, you can set options like a restricted driving profile like speed limit and horsepower perfect for teen drivers.
Apple stated that it intends to release a new version of Car Key with Ultra-Wideband so that other cars can use this feature in the future.