Toyota and GM to Add Apple Wallet Car Key Support

Apple's digital car key feature in the Wallet app is expanding, with recent developments indicating that Toyota and General Motors will soon support the technology, allowing iPhone and Apple Watch users to lock, unlock, and start compatible vehicles without physical keys.

Analysts identified updates in Apple's backend systems last week that include Toyota among supported automakers, suggesting the Japanese manufacturer is preparing to integrate the feature. Toyota has not commented publicly or provided details on timelines or affected models. Similarly, General Motors confirmed on Thursday that it plans to roll out support for Apple Wallet car keys across its brands, including Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick, though the company offered no specific launch date or vehicle lineup. This follows backend code discoveries from October that pointed to impending compatibility.

The Apple Car Key, introduced five years ago, stores a digital version of a vehicle key in the Wallet app on an iPhone or Apple Watch. It relies on near-field communication technology, enabling users to tap their device near a door handle to unlock and start the car. For models with Ultra Wideband support,...