A teardown of Tesla mobile app version 4.52.0 has uncovered multiple code references to “Harmony Wallet Key Cards” These strings indicate Tesla is developing support for system-level digital car keys, starting with integration for Huawei’s HarmonyOS Wallet in China.
The references specifically target Huawei’s ecosystem, aligning with Tesla’s practice of testing new features in the Chinese market first. No direct mentions of Apple Wallet or Google Wallet appear in the code. However, the underlying architecture for Harmony Wallet keys mirrors the technology used for Apple’s Car Key feature, which stores keys in the iPhone’s Secure Enclave and supports Express Mode.
Tesla typically introduces features in the Chinese market first, so this could hint that Tesla plans to add native support for Apple and Android in the future.
This functionality, often referred to as a “native” car key, allows a phone to act as a secure key card (NFC) or proximity key (Bluetooth/UWB) without the Tesla app running in the background. It also enables additional features, such as Tap-to-Unlock and deeper system-level integration.
While Tap-to-Unlock is already available natively on Android devices, it is only available while your device is powered on. System-level integration would enable key use on iOS, even when the phone is powered off.
While Tesla’s proprietary Phone Key is generally reliable, it relies on the app running in the background, and can occasionally be killed or stalled by the phone’s OS to save battery.
A native wallet key would be the gold standard for digital vehicle access because it lives on a phone’s secure elements and works regardless of app state.
With the Harmony Wallet code now present in the app, it proves Tesla is capable and willing to build these integrations. The question remains: is this an exclusive push for China, or a sign that Apple and Google Wallet support is finally on the roadmap?
MacDailyNews Take: Last month, it was reported that Tesla is working to add Apple CarPlay to its vehicles, so additional support for Apple’s Car Key feature would make sense. Nobody cares about Android support, certainly not those in the market for a Tesla.
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[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
Not sure why you need this since your phone is your Tesla “key”. Seems redundant.