### Expansion of Apple Wallet’s Car Key Feature
Apple has made considerable progress in weaving technology into daily living, and one of its recent advancements is the broadening of the car key feature in the Apple Wallet app. Originally introduced in 2020, this capability enables users to unlock and start their cars using their iPhone or Apple Watch, effectively superseding conventional car keys.
#### Functionality of Car Keys
The operation of car keys differs among manufacturers, presenting various functionalities that enhance user ease. Here are some notable features:
– **Passive Entry**: As you near your vehicle with your device, it unlocks automatically. After entering, you can start the engine, and when you move away, it locks again.
– **Proximity**: Users have the option to lock, unlock, and start their vehicle by placing their device near the door handle or key reader.
– **Remote Access**: The device can be utilized to lock and unlock the car from a distance, granting extra control over vehicle entry.
For an exhaustive list of vehicles that are currently supported, users can visit the Apple Wallet car key support page.
#### New Vehicle Brands Accepting Car Key Support
During the recent WWDC event, Apple revealed that 13 new vehicle brands will soon adopt the car key feature, broadening the reach of this technology. The brands slated to incorporate this feature include:
– Acura
– Cadillac
– Chery
– Chevrolet
– GMC
– Hongqi
– Lucid
– Porsche
– Rivian
– Smart
– Tata
– Voyah
– WEY
While Apple has not offered a specific timeline for when these brands will introduce car key support, the announcement made during the iOS 26 presentation indicates that users can anticipate these updates by year’s end. Following the integration of these brands, Apple Wallet will then support a total of 33 vehicle brands.
#### User Feedback
As the integration of car keys in Apple Wallet grows, users are invited to share their experiences and insights. This feature is designed to simplify vehicle access and improve the overall driving experience, aligning with Apple’s vision of a more digital and interconnected lifestyle.
