Apple Preparing to Add Support for Digital Car Keys on Hyundai and BYD Vehicles

Apple is preparing to begin supporting digital car keys in the Wallet app for two new car brands: Hyundai and BYD. The feature allows users to lock, unlock, and start their vehicles using a pass stored in the Wallet on the iPhone or Apple Watch, and Ultra Wideband with Express Mode in iOS 15 can even automatically lock and unlock a compatible car as you approach without needing to wake your device.

hyundai sonata digital key android
BMW was the first manufacturer to launch digital car keys in Wallet back in 2020, and two months ago Apple began listing several Genesis and Kia models as supporting the functionality. Over the last several days, Apple has added entries for both Hyundai and BYD to its Apple Pay configuration file. A similar change last September revealed the pending addition of Genesis support.

hyundai byd digital car key
The inclusion of Hyundai on the list of car brands supporting digital car keys on iOS isn't much of a surprise, considering that Genesis and Kia were among the earliest adopters. Genesis is a luxury brand of Hyundai, while Hyundai is the largest stakeholder in Kia and the two companies are closely interrelated. Bloomberg also reported in January that both Hyundai and Genesis models would be adding the feature "by the summer."

BYD is a Chinese brand that has been trying to expand into other countries and recently announced that it will be moving to exclusively sell full electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

We've yet to hear which specific models from the two brands will support digital car keys on ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch, but a number of Hyundai models have supported digital car keys on Android for several model years.

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Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
39 months ago
Why not add the high-end vehicle to the list first? Can we have it on an Audi, please.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
39 months ago

You do you, I do me. I'd rather not buy from a Chinese car manufacturer regardless if Buffet is behind it. Period.
But you'll buy products manufactured by Chinese companies if it's got an :apple: logo on it. Gotcha.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
39 months ago

Do you have much personal sway with Audi? I'm sure Apple wouldn't mind the help.
I do. I just bought a brand new 2022 Audi. Would be nice to use my iPhone to start the car with a simple tap. :)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CWallace Avatar
39 months ago

Anyone else find it kind of funny that the phone image in the article is not an iPhone? ?
That is the stock footage from Hyundai showing their Digital Key which currently only works on Android devices. ;)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wildkraut Avatar
39 months ago

I agree. Never letting that company near me.
Heh ahh it’s a Company, i was trying to derive some fancy abbreviation like Bring Your Device Vehicles ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jav6454 Avatar
39 months ago
BYD? Yuck.

That said, Apple should pitch this further to American car makers like Ford.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)