iPhone Car Key feature now works with certain Genesis and Kia models from 2022

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Using an iPhone or Apple Watch near the driver’s side door of a compatible vehicle in 2020, customers may unlock and start the vehicle. Since its inception, the function has only been available on specific BMW models.

image credits: 9to5mac

Car Key is an intriguing, though restricted, feature of the iOS operating system. Some BMW cars will be unlocked using the owner’s iPhone and Apple Watch when the system launches in 2020. Apple is now making this capability available in some Kia and Genesis automobiles.

The 2022 Genesis GV60 and G90 and the 2022 Kia Niro have been added to this restricted list. A spokeswoman for Kia told MacRumors that the firm “will have additional information concerning Digital Key availability in the coming weeks,” while Genesis and Apple didn’t give a comment at the time of the article.

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According to Apple, the capability is currently available on a number of Hyundai-owned Genesis and Kia cars due to be on sale in 2022. This week, Apple added the 2022 Genesis GV60, 2022 Genesis G90, and 2022 Kia Niro to a list of cars that use the iPhone’s car key function.

Is the vehicle key function generally accessible for the Genesis and Kia models listed or is it still in the process of being rolled out?..? A Kia representative said the business “will have additional information regarding Digital Key availability in the coming weeks,” while Genesis and Apple did not immediately reply to queries for comment on the matter. Since last year, Apple has been working on supporting this functionality in Genesis.

The Wallet app on an iPhone or Apple Watch running iOS 13.6 or watchOS 6.2.8 or later stores digital vehicle keys similarly to credit cards and boarding tickets. Prior to using Ultra Wideband technology, the function required users to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch close to the car in order to use it, but now users may use it without even taking their phone out of their pocket.

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An iPhone 11 or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later equipped with an U1 chip may use Apple’s upgraded vehicle key function. For up to five hours after an iPhone’s battery has gone out, the car key function may be used to unlock a vehicle with NFC support to guarantee backward compatibility.

Apple is attempting to give digital replicas of everyday objects with this function. According to a press release issued by Apple today, the Wallet app’s driver’s licence and state ID capability is now available in Arizona, with more states following suit shortly.

You’ll need an iPhone 11 or Apple Watch Series 6 if you don’t want to take your phone out of your pocket or lift your watch to unlock the vehicle. However, if your iPhone or Apple Watch are running iOS 13.6 or watchOS 6.2.8 and have an NFC sensor, you may still utilise Car Key through NFC.

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