Apple Car Key is an NFC-based feature announced with iOS 14 in 2020 that allows users with supported vehicle models to add a virtual Car Key to the Wallet app on their iPhone and Apple Watch to lock or unlock the car, along with some models supporting passive entry and remote lock/unlock. ‘Power Reserve’ mode allows the virtual Car Key to be used for a certain amount of time even after your iPhone battery dies. Supported devices for Car Key include the iPhone XS or later, iPhone SE (2nd generation) or later, Apple Watch Series 5 or later, and Apple Watch SE.
That said, Mahindra, an Indian vehicle brand, is currently working on implementing Car Key functionality in its future cars, according to code in the backend of Apple’s Wallet app found by MacRumors.
It is currently unclear whether the integration will initially support features like Proximity control or remote access; however, the core functionality of locking and unlocking the car is expected to be added, as it is NFC-based and the very basic feature of Car Keys in Wallet. As of now, Car Key is available for select models from Audi, BMW, BYD, EXEED, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, and Ram.
As noted in the story by MacRumors, the car maker introduced support for a similar feature called “Digital Car Key” in Samsung Wallet for Samsung Galaxy devices back in October of last year for their Electric Origin SUVs in India. This indicates that the launch is sooner rather than later.
Are you planning to get a Mahindra car soon? Let us know down in the comments or tweet to us on @appleosophy! Be sure to download the Appleosophy App from the App Store or visit our website to stay updated with the latest Apple news!
