Your iPhone may soon unlock cars by just walking near - Apple and car makers test a new feature

Apple is taking part in a live test that looks simple on the surface but could change daily car use. The test checks how well iPhones can unlock cars just by being close. No tap, no press, no screen wake. The work is tied to a shared rule called Digital Key 4.0, which guides how phones and cars talk to each other.

The test is run by a car group that sets rules used by many brands. Big names are part of it, from old brands to newer ones. The goal is to see how the system works in real use, not just in labs. This test runs for a full week and tracks how fast, safe, and steady the unlock action feels.

Apple already offers Car Key on some cars, but this test aims to smooth rough edges. It also checks if the new rule still works with the older 3.0 version, since many cars on roads today still use it.

Car makers want fewer keys and fewer parts. A phone based key cuts cost and lowers loss risk. It also fits how people live now, since most drivers carry a phone at all times. For this to work at scale, every brand must trust the same rule set.

Last year, more than one hundred car models passed checks tied to this key rule. This year, even more brands joined the test. That growth shows rising trust in the system. Many firms now see phone unlock as a core need, not a nice add on.

A recent car report found that almost all group members see unlock tools as vital. That view explains why brands are pushing hard on shared rules instead of solo fixes. Drivers expect the same ease no matter the brand they buy.

For users, the aim is ease with no extra steps. With Car Key set up on an iPhone or Apple Watch, the car unlocks as the user nears it. No app open, no button tap. The car senses the phone and reacts.

This test also looks at safety, data guard, and trust. Since keys guard real value, these points matter more than speed alone. The group says the system is now ready for wide use, not just small trials.

The timing is key. The year ahead is seen as a shift point, where phone keys move from rare to normal. If the tests go well, more cars will ship ready for this use. For many drivers, the old metal key may soon feel out of date.