Apple is quietly preparing a major upgrade to its digital car key system, which could address the feature’s biggest issue: spotty compatibility.
This week, the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) announced that it’s conducting real-world testing of Digital Key version 4.0 at an event hosted by Apple at Apple Park in Cupertino.
Apple, a core member of the CCC, is working alongside other automakers and tech companies to test the next-generation digital car key standard.
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The CCC hasn’t released many specifics, but said the new version will “further improve cross-platform interoperability and cross-version compatibility.”
In plain English: It should work more reliably across brands and older models, a welcome change for users who’ve faced friction getting the feature to work outside a narrow list of vehicles.
Apple introduced digital car keys back in 2020, allowing users to unlock, lock, and even start supported vehicles using an iPhone or Apple Watch.
The system relies on the CCC’s Digital Key specification, which underwent a major update in 2021 (version 3.0) with support for Ultra Wideband (UWB), enabling more secure, hands-free access.
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Support has expanded slowly. BMW was first, followed by Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In its WWDC 2025 keynote last month, Apple confirmed that more brands are on the way, including Acura, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Porsche, and Rivian.
But adoption has remained fragmented, and Apple has been tight-lipped about rollout timelines or improvements until now.
With Digital Key 4.0 on the horizon and Apple actively hosting the tests, the company appears serious about bringing iPhone car keys to the mainstream.
This might be the invisible but important upgrade that makes iPhone car keys feel as standard and seamless as CarPlay, a feature you don’t think about, because it just works.
Would you trust your iPhone as your only car key? Let us know in the comments.
