Apple's digital car keys tipped to work with Hyundai, Genesis models this summer

Source: Apple

Apple's digital car key feature might unlock more than a few BMW models. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports in his latest newsletter that Hyundai and its premium Genesis brand will support Apple CarKey "by the summer." It isn't known what models might support the feature, but as Engadget pointed out, some trim levels of the Ioniq 5 and other Hyundai models have NFC for a digital key, which is currently proprietary.

If the leak is accurate, then Hyundai and Genesis owners will have an easier way to unlock their vehicles. They just need to bring the phone or Apple Watch to the door handle to unlock it. Those using ultra-wideband iPhones (like the iPhone 11 and newer) can keep their phone in their pockets when opening and starting the car.

These iPhone, Apple Watch models will support CarKey

One of the newest features of iOS 14 turns your iPhone (or Apple Watch) into a car key. This CarKey feature is coming to iOS 14 and even iOS 13 users, allowing you to lock, unlock, and start compatible cars. But just because your device runs on iOS 14 or watchOS 7 doesn't mean it can support it.

CarKey makes use of NFC technology to communicate with the car. During the initial process, the iPhone or Apple Watch needs to be placed on top of the NFC reader in the car. It'll be accessible via the Wallet app. Once set up, CarKey should work without having to unlock your device or open any app. But that means your device needs Background Tag Reading tech, which is only available on the iPhone XR and later. And so this feature will only work with the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and iPhone SE (2nd-gen).

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