Toyota and Porsche are about to support Apple Car Key, no longer needing to carry car keys while driving

[PCauto] Since the introduction of Apple Car Key in 2022, Apple has continued to promote the adoption of digital car keys across global markets.

Users can store their car key in the Wallet app on an iPhone or Apple Watch and simply approach the car door or sensor area to unlock the vehicle.

The feature supports Face ID verification and offers Express Mode for direct unlocking and starting. Even if the device runs out of battery, low-power technology ensures continued operation.

Toyota introduced its own Digital Key feature years ago as part of its Remote Connect suite, allowing users to unlock and start vehicles via smartphones.

By adopting Apple Car Key, Toyota will achieve deeper integration between its native system and the Apple ecosystem, further enhancing user convenience.

Although Toyota has not officially announced specific models or release dates, references in iOS 26 code and Apple's backend systems suggest that the functionality has quietly gone live, with an expected release in the near future.

Users can expect an experience similar to the existing Car Key feature, which includes unlocking the car upon approach, auto-locking upon departure, and support for remote lock/unlock functions.

At the same time, Porsche also announced that starting in 2026, its all-electric Cayenne and Macan will support Apple Car Key.

Owners can operate the vehicles without removing their iPhone from their pockets, effortlessly unlocking doors and trunks and starting the vehicle. Porsche's implementation also supports short-range proximity sensing, Express Mode, and low-power operation.

Apple Car Key is currently supported by brands such as BMW, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Genesis, Kia, Lotus, and Volvo, among others. The feature is also set to gradually expand to include Acura, GMC, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Rivian, Smart, Lucid, Tata, WEY, and Chery.

However, not all Apple Car Keys utilize the same level of technical implementation. Although uniformly referred to as "Car Key," there are notable differences in unlocking methods and user experiences across brands and models.

Apple Car Key currently relies on three main technical approaches:

• NFC
• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
• Ultra-Wideband (UWB)

NFC serves as the most basic entry-level solution, requiring users to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch close to the door handle or a designated sensing area to unlock and start the vehicle.

This method is stable and secure, but it still requires specific unlocking actions, making the experience closer to that of an electronic version of a physical key.

BLE marks a significant step forward in user experience. Leveraging Bluetooth Low Energy technology, the vehicle can detect a device within close proximity, enabling passive entry with automatic unlocking upon approach and locking upon departure.

This is often the stage where users first experience the replacement of traditional keys, significantly enhancing day-to-day convenience.

UWB technology delivers the current top-tier experience for digital car keys. Offering centimeter-level positioning accuracy, it allows the vehicle to determine not only if a user is approaching but also from which direction, enabling more intuitive unlocking behavior—such as unlocking the driver’s door when approaching from that side.

This is also the direction that Apple has been focusing on promoting in recent years, emphasizing seamless human-vehicle interaction.

Porsche’s all-electric Cayenne and Macan, set to launch in 2026, will combine BLE and UWB solutions, allowing users to unlock and start the vehicle without taking out their phones—positioning these premium electric vehicles at the forefront of technological experience.

In contrast, Toyota has only confirmed that Apple Car Key is active in Apple's backend system and has not yet announced specific models or technical specifications.

Based on the rollout patterns of other brands, Toyota is likely to begin with an NFC or BLE solution to ensure basic compatibility and stability, before eventually progressing to the more advanced UWB experience.