Millions of mobiles can unlock cars using ‘virtual key' and even open boot as 13 major brands reveal big change
MILLIONS of drivers won't need to carry their keys around anymore - as mobile phones are set to replace them.
Apple has announced that the Wallet app will soon update a handy feature which lets their devices act as car keys.
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The smartphone giant made several exciting car-related announcements at WWDC on Monday.
One of these was the revelation that 13 brands will be added to Apple's Car Keys feature in their Wallet app.
This groundbreaking feature was launched in 2020.
The concept allowed users to open their cars using their phone or smartwatch.
Each version of the key varied by manufacturer, and some have more special features than others.
For example, some boast an incredible proximity ability.
This means that the car can be locked and opened and even started just by holding the phone close to the vehicle's doorhandle.
Passive entry is also available with the Car Keys feature.
This means the car can lock automatically when you walk away, and can then open as you come near it.
On top of these extraordinary features, the car can be opened remotely and without the need for physical keys.
Now, 13 car brands are set to gain Car Key support.
These include Acura, Cadillac, Chery, Chevrolet, GMC, Hongqi, Lucid, Porsche, Rivian, Smart, Tata, Voyah and WEY.
There was no specific timeline given for when these brands would be adopting car key support.
But having made the announcement at WWDC during the iOS 26 presentation, they may all launch by the end of this year.
This list may include more brands in the future.
With the addition of these 13, the total list of vehicles with Car Key support on Apple devices now includes 33 brands.
The rest of the list already includes car giants such as Mercedes, Audi, Volvo and Mini.
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