Apple’s internal references hint iPhone Car Key support is coming to Toyota models. How it works, benefits, and when compatibility might arrive for drivers.
© E. Vartanyan
An iPhone may replace a Toyota key sooner than expected. Hidden references found in Apple’s internal systems point to potential Car Key support for Toyota vehicles. Neither Apple nor Toyota has made an official announcement, but backend clues suggest the groundwork is already being laid.
Car Key lets you unlock and start a car with an iPhone or Apple Watch, no physical fob required. The digital key lives in the Wallet app and uses NFC to communicate with the vehicle. In most cases, you simply hold the device near the door handle; for authorization you can choose Face ID or switch on Express Mode to unlock without identity confirmation.
According to MacRumors, Apple’s systems now include references to support for specific Toyota models, which could signal that compatibility is close. The timeline remains unclear, and Toyota has not commented. At WWDC 2025, Apple said that 13 more automakers would soon join Car Key, including Audi, Acura, Porsche, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Rivian, and Lucid.
Notably, Toyota already offers Remote Connect, a smartphone-based way to unlock a vehicle. Even so, Apple’s approach may feel more seamless for drivers embedded in the iOS ecosystem, with the digital key stored in Wallet alongside bank cards and boarding passes. A practical bonus is the option to share car access with family members directly through the app.
If Toyota does adopt Car Key, the first wave would likely be newer models equipped with the required hardware. The broader direction is hard to miss: the smartphone is steadily becoming a single key not only to digital services, but to real-world products—cars included.