Imagine you’re walking to your car at the mall, hands full of groceries, and instead of digging through your pockets for keys, you simply walk up, and voilà! Your car unlocks itself. No remote, no key, just your iPhone or Apple Watch. Sounds like something from a James Bond movie, right? Well, welcome to the future. It’s already here.
In 2020, Apple introduced a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing iPhone and Apple Watch users to lock, unlock, and even start their car without needing a physical key. All you need is a compatible iPhone (XS or newer) or Apple Watch (Series 5 or newer), and of course, a car that supports this tech. And no, this is not only for Americans or Europeans—this is global, and it’s expanding rapidly.
So, whether you’re cruising through Accra in your BMW or planning to own a sleek Hyundai or Audi in the future, here’s what you need to know about iPhone car keys—what it is, how they work, their sweet benefits, and what to watch out for.
What exactly is the iPhone car key?
This feature turns your iPhone or Apple Watch into your car key, using near-field communication (NFC) and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to communicate with your vehicle. Basically, you just bring your device near your car and it unlocks. You can also start the engine from inside with your iPhone in your pocket or bag—no physical key needed.
There are three levels of this feature, depending on the car:
- Basic – Unlock, lock, and start your car by tapping your phone on the door.
- Proximity Unlocking – Your car unlocks automatically as you approach.
- Remote Access – Lock/unlock your car from wherever you are.
And thanks to Express Mode, you don’t even need to wake or unlock your phone to use your car key—perfect for those “light-off just happened” rush moments when you’re fumbling in the dark!
Supported car brands & models
Here are some of the car brands and models that now work with the iPhone car key feature:
Audi: 2025+ A5, Q5, A6, Q6
BMW: 2021+ 1 to 8 Series, X5 to X7, i4, i7, iX models
Hyundai: 2023+ Palisade, Kona, Elantra, IONIQ 5 & 6
Kia: Telluride, Seltos, EV6, Sorento, Carnival
Genesis: GV60, G90, GV70
Mercedes-Benz: 2024+ E-Class, EQE, EQS
Volvo, MINI, Lotus, Polestar, RAM, and others also support it.
Coming soon to Porsche, Rivian, Tata, Lucid Motors, Acura, Smart, Cadillac, and more.
What are some of the benefits?
- No more lost keys: Tired of misplacing your keys at a party or in church? Your iPhone is always with you, so your key is too.
- Remote locking: Left the car unlocked at Marina Mall? Lock it from home.
- Share access: Want your sibling to move your car while you’re at work? Send them a digital key via iMessage!
- Security boost: If your phone gets lost, you can remotely disable the car key from iCloud.
But always remember that “Not all that glitters… is gold!”
Even technology has its bad days. Here are some challenges to expect:
- Battery woes: If your phone’s battery dies, and you didn’t carry a spare key…well, you’re walking.
- Network glitches: Some features, like remote locking, need internet. Ghanaian mobile networks can disappoint, especially during network congestion.
- Compatibility confusion: Not every iPhone or car supports this. Some people buy a car thinking they can use the feature, only to realize their iPhone is too old.
- Software bugs: Like any digital tool, the feature can misbehave after an iOS update or app glitch.
- Thieves & hacking: Though very secure, smart hackers could one day find a way to manipulate digital keys. Always update your software.
The idea of using your phone as a car key is no longer science fiction—it’s real, and it’s here. With more automakers jumping on board, it’s only a matter of time before even mid-range vehicles in Ghana support this feature. But like with anything digital, convenience must walk hand-in-hand with caution.
So, the next time you see someone confidently approaching their car with just their phone and no keys, don’t be surprised. The future is quietly becoming the present.
