One of the world’s largest automakers is preparing support for Apple’s car key platform. A new report today says that Apple’s “backend has been updated to include Toyota in the list of companies that support Apple car key.”
The discovery was made by Aaron Perris. There’s no word on when Toyota will formally launch car key support. There also aren’t any details on which specific Toyota models will support the feature. It’s possible the feature rolls out to existing models, but Toyota might also reserve it for new cars. We’ll have to wait for an official announcement to know for sure.
Apple first announced car key support in Apple Wallet at WWDC in 2020. This feature allows users to add their car key to the Wallet app, then use the app to lock, unlock, and start their car. Specific implementations can vary by automaker, but there are three basic ways the feature works:
Passive entry : Approach your car with your device, it unlocks, start your car when inside, and walk away from your car with your device, it locks.
: Approach your car with your device, it unlocks, start your car when inside, and walk away from your car with your device, it locks. Proximity: Lock, unlock, and start the car by holding your device close to the door handle or key reader.
Lock, unlock, and start the car by holding your device close to the door handle or key reader. Remotely: You can use your device to remote lock and unlock your car, and use other features.
There’s also support for Express Mode, so you can use your car key without unlocking your device with its passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID.
You can keep up with all of the automakers and cars that support Apple’s car key platform in our full roundup. After a slow start, the feature’s rollout has picked up momentum lately. Most recently, Rivian launched support for car key.
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