iOS 13.4 Beta Will Let Users Use Their iPhones As Car Keys

Being able to remotely unlock your car using your smartphone isn’t new. We’ve seen this tech used by carmakers such as Hyundai, but now it looks like Apple is interested in creating something of their own, at least that’s what’s being hinted at in the recent release of iOS 13.4 beta.

According to the beta, there s a reference made to a “CarKey” API that would allow users to use their iPhones or Apple Watches to lock, unlock, or even start a car, as long as the car is NFC compatible. It also does not appear that it will be necessary to use Face ID to authenticate the user, which might seem dangerous, but in reality it means that you can still use the feature to unlock your car even if your phone or watch is out of battery.

Also, what’s interesting about this discovery is that it appears that there is mention of potentially allowing users to share their “keys” with others, meaning that if you’re out of town and someone needs to borrow your car, you can send them the virtual keys. We expect more details about this feature in the future once it is released.

In the meantime, it’s not surprising that such a feature should exist. Previously, Apple had filed for a patent in which it suggested that the use of Ultra Wideband technology could also be another possible way to turn iPhones into car keys.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Cellphones, Transportation
Tags: Apple Watch, iOS, ios 13, iPhone, Smartwatch, Wearable Tech