Apple Digital Keys Is Coming To Some Hyundai cars This Summer

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Hyundai and its Genesis brand are close to adding support for Apple’s digital car key function, which allows you unlock and start compatible automobiles using the iPhone’s Wallet app. According to Gurman, Hyundai’s Genesis lineup will receive the “CarKey” function this summer.

Hyundai already has proprietary iOS apps, such as MyHyundai with Bluelink and the Genesis Intelligent Assistant, that allow users to start or unlock compatible vehicles remotely. Support for Apple’s version of the digital key feature, on the other hand, should make the functionality more smooth and allow users to take use of system-level Apple Wallet conveniences. The NFC-based digital key feature is presently only available on Android phones, according to Hyundai’s website.

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HYUNDAI REFERENCES HAVE BEEN FOUND IN IOS CODE IN THE PAST.

Apple’s digital vehicle key function was first unveiled in 2020, but it’s now only accessible on a few BMW models. It has been reported that it will be arriving to Hyundai’s automobiles since at least January 2021, when Business Korea first reported on the plans, and references to Hyundai’s Genesis cars have also been found in iOS 15 code.

According to Bloomberg, Hyundai will either deploy ultra wideband (UWB) technology seen in latest iPhones, which might allow users to unlock their car without taking their phone out of their pocket, or will rely only on NFC. The capability was previously announced for BMW’s all-electric iX, which relies on the U1 chip present in iPhone 11 and later.

Apple and Hyundai were previously thought to be in talks to collaborate on an electric vehicle. Hyundai later played down the rumors, claiming that it was no longer in contact with Apple.