Apple Car Key: Why the digital car key is faltering

The feature sounds practical: Instead of carrying around a traditional car key, an iPhone or Apple Watch is all it takes to unlock, start, and lock the car. Apple calls this Car Key – a technology that has been available since 2020. Despite this, it's far from being a common sight in everyday life, neither among all car manufacturers nor among drivers themselves. Yet the advantages are clear. A new report now identifies three specific reasons why, despite the technology's functionality, it's still taking time for Car Key to become widespread.

Apple introduced Car Key with iOS 13.6, turning your iPhone or Apple Watch into a digital car key. It supports both NFC and Ultra Wideband, depending on the vehicle and Apple device. The key can be stored in the Wallet app and allows you to not only unlock and start your car, but also share it with others – such as family members, friends, valet parking, or mechanics. This even works with time-limited or restricted access rights.

Car Key also offers advantages in terms of security: The technology is protected against relay attacks, in which criminals attempt to manipulate radio signals. Furthermore, there is no physical component that can be lost. Nevertheless, a major breakthrough has yet to materialize. According to a Wired report , this is due to three key obstacles.

Manufacturers do not rely on a standard.

The first major problem is compatibility. Car Key is currently only supported by a few vehicle models. Some manufacturers, such as BMW and Hyundai, already have vehicles with the necessary integration on the market, but the majority remain hesitant. Instead of adopting Apple's proposed solution, many are developing their own systems. This is partly for control reasons, and partly because there is no unified standard.

While the Car Connectivity Consortium exists—with Apple as a member—to develop precisely this standard, implementation is progressing slowly. A key point of contention is access to usage data. Manufacturers have recognized that CarPlay provides data on driving behavior, which Apple analyzes. In the future, manufacturers would prefer to collect this data themselves, for example, to develop their own services or tap into new revenue streams.

Then there's the issue of subscriptions: Some manufacturers are experimenting with unlocking digital vehicle functions – including the digital key – only for a monthly fee. This could significantly reduce acceptance among drivers, especially since the key function is a basic feature that isn't perceived as a paid extra.

Many people don't even know that their car can use Car Key.

The second obstacle concerns awareness. Even owners of vehicles that already support Car Key are often unaware that they could use the function. Dealers, too, are frequently insufficiently trained or simply fail to mention the feature.

For example, many vehicles have been able to park themselves for years – such as models from Ford or Lincoln. Despite this, the function is hardly used because almost no one knows about it. The same could be true for Car Key. According to Sean Tucker of Kelley Blue Book, even sales consultants at car dealerships are often unfamiliar with the vehicles' digital capabilities. Without active explanation from the dealer, the feature simply remains invisible to many.

The key is psychological safety

Another obstacle is not technical, but cultural. For many people, the classic car key has more meaning than simply unlocking the vehicle. It represents control, security – it's tangible. Anyone who has the key in their hand or pocket knows: the car is available. A digital equivalent on a smartphone doesn't automatically create this feeling.

According to mobility researcher Stefan Gössling from Linnaeus University in Sweden, the physical key also fulfills a social function. Some people like to show it off – whether consciously or unconsciously. The weight of the key, the click when unlocking – all of this has an emotional component that a digital key has not yet replaced.

These psychological barriers should not be underestimated. Even if a car key is objectively safer and more practical, it takes time to break old habits and established routines.

Between technology and acceptance: Why car keys are not yet commonplace

Apple's Car Key offers many advantages: greater convenience, enhanced security, and flexible use. The technology is ready for use and functions reliably in practice. Nevertheless, there are currently three clear reasons why the feature has not yet become widespread: the reluctance of many car manufacturers to accept uniform standards; the limited knowledge about the feature among drivers and dealers; and, last but not least, emotional factors tied to familiarity with the traditional car key.

Whether Car Key becomes widespread depends not only on the technology, but above all on whether industry and users are willing to rethink their approach. Until then, the digital key remains a feature with great potential that is still largely untapped. (Image: Apple)

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