Apple Preparing to Add Support for Digital Car Keys on MINI Vehicles

Friday November 17, 2023 7:57 am PST by Eric Slivka

Apple is preparing to begin supporting digital car keys in the Wallet app for certain MINI vehicles, allowing owners to lock, unlock, and start their vehicles using a pass stored in the Wallet app on the iPhone or Apple Watch.

mini oled display
MINI's parent company BMW was the first manufacturer to launch digital car keys in Wallet back in 2020, but it wasn't until earlier today that Apple Pay configuration files were updated to specifically list MINI among supported brands, as spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

Several months ago, MINI unveiled its next-generation MINI Operating System 9, which includes MINI Digital Key Plus. The feature will support Ultra Wideband on both iOS and Android, allowing the user to access the vehicle without having to remove their phone from their pocket or bag.

MINI Operating System 9 will run on the auto industry's first large circular OLED display known as the MINI Interaction Unit, a customizable 9.4-inch screen mounted prominently in the center of the dashboard with colorful and immersive themes available to help personalize the vehicle.

The new MINI Interaction Unit with MINI Operating System 9 and MINI Digital Key Plus recently debuted in the new all-electric MINI Cooper and MINI Countryman, with both vehicles launching next year.

Tag: MINI

Popular Stories

Apple Taking New Approach to Developing iOS 28 and macOS 28

Sunday November 8, 2026 7:42 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple has made a change to its development process for iOS 28, macOS 28, and corresponding software updates, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, he said Apple separates development of each year's new operating systems into three major stages. Typically, he said each stage consists of four weeks of coding followed by a four-week "convergence" period where...

• 138 comments

More Fun iPhone Duo Apps: 30 New Picks to Try

Friday November 6, 2026 3:27 pm PST by Juli Clover

When the iPhone Duo launched, we shared a list of some of the fun apps developers created for the new form factor. Two weeks out, developers are continuing to come up with fresh ideas, so we thought we'd share some of our favorites. Games Marbles Unhinged ($2.99) - Marbles Unhinged is a marble maze designed for the Duo. When you fold it, the floor turns into a ramp. If you stand the top...

• 67 comments

Apple Launching Five New Products Today

Thursday November 5, 2026 12:59 am PST by Tim Hardwick

Apple is launching five new products on Friday, November 6, following pre-orders that opened last week, including its first touchscreen MacBook Pro models. The following new products will be available from today: iPad mini with OLED display and A20 Pro chip iMac with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen 16-inch MacBook Pro with OLED...

• 27 comments

Top Rated Comments

AngerDanger

39 months ago

MINI Operating System 9 will run on the auto industry's first large circular OLED display known

Got my hopes up for a second there…

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

kingjames1970

39 months ago

I’ve got a digital key that I’ve never used. Gotta be honest, I’m not sure what it’s for. The car opens and starts with the ‘normal’ car key in my pocket on the same keychain as my house keys. A friend who has a Tesla is forever locking himself out his house as he forgets to take his house key as he doesn’t pick up a physical car key when going on.

The only thing I might use it for is to share with somebody else. But then, who would that be?! Personally feels like a solution looking for a problem. Would be delighted to be told I’m wrong as I’d love to use it. 😂

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

capamac

39 months ago

I see your electronic display and raise you one 80s Porsche interior:

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

constantsnags!

39 months ago

Mini managed to give their new display a chin. And that interior loses much of the charm of prior mini interiors.

We bought the final special edition Clubman this year - and I’m really bummed that they’re about to yassify the console for all the future cars. The switchgear and buttons in the interiors up till now have been one of my favourite things about BMW-era MINI (this is the second one we’ve had).

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)