Toyota to Gain Apple Car Keys Support

Source: MacRumors

Apple to Add Car Keys Support for Toyota

Apple is preparing to bring support for its Car Keys feature to Toyota vehicles, evidence uncovered by MacRumors suggests.

Toyota introduced its own Digital Key feature as part of the available Remote Connect package several years ago, which allows drivers to use their smartphone as a key to access and start their cars. The new Apple Car Keys integration would let iPhone and Apple Watch users unlock, lock, and start compatible Toyota models directly from the Wallet app, without needing a separate Toyota app.

According to the report, the integration is being tested internally at Apple and Toyota, with a rollout expected later this year. The feature would work with Toyota’s existing NFC‑based digital key system, leveraging Apple’s Secure Element and the UWB (Ultra‑Wideband) technology already present in recent iPhone models for precise vehicle detection.

What Apple Car Keys Offers

• Unlock and lock doors via NFC tap or proximity detection.
• Start the engine with a double‑press of the side button on the iPhone or Apple Watch.
• Share access with family members or friends through the Wallet app, with granular permissions (e.g., “can drive” vs. “can unlock only”).
• Secure storage of the digital key in the device’s Secure Enclave, ensuring it can’t be extracted or duplicated.

Compatibility and Availability

• The feature will initially support newer Toyota models equipped with the Remote Connect package and NFC hardware.
• Apple plans to expand support to additional Toyota vehicles and possibly other manufacturers that use similar NFC‑based digital key systems.
• Users will need iOS 17 or later, and an iPhone 12 or newer (or an Apple Watch Series 6 or newer) to take advantage of the functionality.

How It Compares to Existing Toyota Digital Key

• Unified ecosystem: Apple Car Keys consolidates vehicle access into the Wallet app, eliminating the need for a separate Toyota app.
• Cross‑platform sharing: Apple’s sharing mechanism works across iOS devices, while Toyota’s solution is limited to its own app ecosystem.
• Enhanced security: Apple’s Secure Enclave and UWB provide additional layers of protection against relay attacks.

What This Means for Users

If the integration proceeds as reported, Toyota owners with compatible vehicles can expect a smoother, more integrated experience when using Apple devices as car keys. The move also signals Apple’s continued push to broaden the Car Keys ecosystem beyond its current partners, such as BMW, Mercedes‑Benz, and Hyundai.