News
Apple expands car key to more brands and introduces new passkey export feature
Apple is preparing to expand its Car Key feature to three more automotive brands, according to recent code findings. Soon, select vehicles from Polestar, Volvo, and Audi will support Apple’s Car Key, allowing users to add their car keys to the Wallet app for easier access and control.
The discovery, first reported by MacRumors, suggests that the integration will allow owners of these vehicles to lock, unlock, and start their cars using their iPhone or Apple Watch. While there are no specific details yet on which models or the exact release timeline, this move expands Car Key’s current functionality beyond brands like BMW, BYD, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Rivian.
How Apple’s Car Key Works
Apple introduced Car Key at WWDC 2020 as a digital car key feature that lets users control their vehicle directly from the Wallet app. Once a car key is added to the Wallet, you can:
- Passive Entry: Your car automatically unlocks when you approach with your device, starts when you are inside, and locks as you walk away.
- Proximity: You can lock, unlock, and start your car by holding your device near the car’s door handle or key reader.
- Remote Access: Lock, unlock, and perform other actions from a distance using your device.
The Car Key feature also supports Express Mode, which allows users to unlock and start their vehicle without needing to authenticate via Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. Additionally, Car Key can be shared with others through Apple’s services like Messages, Mail, or AirDrop, making it convenient for multiple users.
Rivian recently joined the ranks of manufacturers using this feature in its second-generation R1T and R1S vehicles, showing how more automakers are warming up to Apple’s digital car key technology.
Passkey Updates: New Standards for Importing and Exporting
Apple is also involved in a major update to passkey technology, a secure alternative to traditional passwords. Passkeys, introduced in 2022, allow users to log in to apps and websites using biometrics like Face ID or Touch ID, offering a safer and easier way to authenticate online.
One of the challenges with passkeys so far has been the inability to transfer them between different password managers. For instance, if you use Apple’s Passwords app, there hasn’t been a way to move your passkeys to a third-party manager like 1Password. That’s about to change.
The FIDO Alliance, a group focused on improving authentication standards, recently announced new specifications that will allow users to import and export passkeys between different password managers. This is enabled by new formats called Credential Exchange Protocol (CXP) and Credential Exchange Format (CXF), which will securely transfer passkeys and other credentials.
Unlike current password managers, which use less secure methods like CSV files for importing and exporting, the new formats will be encrypted to ensure security. Several major password manager companies, including 1Password, Dashlane, Bitwarden, NordPass, and Google, have already pledged to support the new specifications once they’re fully adopted.
Apple, a key member of the FIDO Alliance, is expected to support these changes as well, though the company has not made an official statement. Apple’s passkey feature, introduced in iOS 16, already allows users to synchronize passkeys across devices via iCloud. By scanning a QR code with an iPhone, users can easily authenticate passkeys on other devices.
When Will These Features Be Available?
Although the new passkey standards have been announced, it may take some time before they are widely available. The draft specifications are still under industry review, so users likely won’t see this functionality until later.
In the meantime, Apple continues to innovate in both the automotive and security space, making life easier for users by bringing advanced technology into everyday experiences like unlocking a car or securely managing online accounts.
Conclusion
Apple’s Car Key expansion and the upcoming changes to passkey functionality highlight the company’s commitment to enhancing user convenience and security. By bringing its digital car keys to more automakers and supporting new passkey transfer standards, Apple is positioning itself at the forefront of digital innovation, making everyday tasks easier and more secure for users worldwide.