Apple will enhance iPhone car keys with new features as Digital Key 4.0 arrives

Apple is already testing new features coming to iPhone car keys in the Wallet app thanks to the newly released Digital Key 4.0 specification.

The Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) today announced Digital Key 4.0, which builds upon the previous digital car key standard. The consortium comprising automobile makers and technology companies like Apple says an upgraded specification will “further improve cross-platform interoperability and cross-version compatibility” of digital car keys.

Unfortunately, no further information was provided, but new details will be released as soon as Digital Key 4.0 is ready for adoption. Companies like Apple are already testing the new specification. Moreover, Apple will host an event at the Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California to discuss the new specifications.

Digital Key 4.0 will improve iPhone car keys

“Hosted by Apple, a CCC member, this Plugfest focuses on real-world testing of the Digital Key Version 4 specification to further improve cross-platform interoperability and cross-version compatibility as adoption continues to grow rapidly,” it reads.

Apple was the first company to support digital car keys. You can add a digital car key to the Wallet app to lock, unlock and start compatible vehicles with select iPhone and Apple Watch models. You can also share a digital car key with others and revoke access at any time.

Apple’s implementation is compatible with the Digital Key specification, which allows for interoperability. In practice, this means that a single digital car key should work across devices that use the same Digital Key specification.

The feature originally launched in 2020 with NFC support and BMW as the only launch partner. The Digital Key 3.0 specification released in 2021 brought support for Ultra Wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth LE technologies to let drivers unlock compatible car models without removing their iPhone from a pocket or bag.

Apple said during the WWDC25 keynote that Acura, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Porsche and Rivian will be among the brands to offer iPhone car keys. MacRumors learned that select models from Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, RAM, Volvo and others will also offer this feature.

Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/07/14/digital-key-4-0-specification-iphone-car-keys/