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.

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

New MacBook Pros Could Now Arrive in March

Sunday February 8, 2026 6:02 am PST by
New MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive as soon as Monday, March 2, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the release of new MacBook Pro models is tied to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3. The launch is said to be slated for as early as the week of March 2. He added that the M4 Pro and M4 Max models on sale today...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Apple Expected to Launch These 10+ Products Over the Coming Months

Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by
It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more. Apple is expected to release/update the following products...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...

Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
48 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
48 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
48 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
48 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
48 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
48 months ago
BYD? Yuck.

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