Apple is working on a new “CarKey” feature that will allow an iPhone or an Apple Watch to unlock, lock, and start NFC-compatible vehicles, as first discovered in iOS 13.4 beta 1. Digital CarKey “keys” are stored in Apple’s Wallet app.
Apple CarPlayCarKey keys will be able to be shared with people in individual conversations but not in group conversations.
From iOS 13.4 beta 2: CarKey is not available in group conversations. You can send CarKey in conversations with an individual.
Sharing a CarKey with someone will allow that person to use their iPhone or Apple Watch to access a compatible car by holding the device near an NFC reader located inside of the vehicle. Keys can be permanent (for a spouse) or temporary (for a valet driver or mechanic).
People who receive a digital key over the Messages app will see text letting them know how it works.
[Vehicle Owner] invited you to use their [Vehicle Model] with unlock & drive access. This allows you to use your iPhone and Apple Watch to unlock/lock the car, start the engine and drive.
MacDailyNews Take: Ooh, like CarPlay, we’re going to want to make sure we have Apple CarKey-enabled vehicles, so, yes, this is another smart way to strengthen Apple’s Hotel California ecosystem*. You’re going to want an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and, eventually, Apple Glasses even more in the future!
*You can never leave (nor will you want to – cue the Joe Walsh guitar solo)!
I will be interested in seeing how Apple implements this feature, if it is going to be used for anything beyond the very rare event when I would loan my car to someone and not be in the same location where I could just give them my key.
Yes, you will be able to use it to loan to someone, but you won’t have to carry a physical key anymore. You are good to go as long as you don’t lose your iPhone 🙂
So we can use our iPhones to get into our cars. The NFC puzzle is slowly coming together: when we open our doors, when we take mass transit, when we check into hotels…
I will be interested in seeing how Apple implements this feature, if it is going to be used for anything beyond the very rare event when I would loan my car to someone and not be in the same location where I could just give them my key.
Yes, you will be able to use it to loan to someone, but you won’t have to carry a physical key anymore. You are good to go as long as you don’t lose your iPhone 🙂
or have a dead phone battery
Will unlock with dead battery.
All around the world car thieves suddenly said, “Say whaaaaaat?”
So we can use our iPhones to get into our cars. The NFC puzzle is slowly coming together: when we open our doors, when we take mass transit, when we check into hotels…
Damn,
Hacker just stole my Lambo using this feature. Fuck thanks Apple.
Interesting… I can see it useful for car rental companies, and care sharing services like ZipCar.