Tata.ev, the EV business of Tata Motors, will become the first homegrown OEM to offer digital key support for its portfolio on Apple Wallet, Apple announced late on Monday at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025.

According to Kathy Lin, manager, services software engineering, users can use Apple Wallet to store a digital version of the physical key of their cars on their iPhone and Apple Watch. “Car keys in Wallet provide an easier and secure way to lock, unlock, and start your car with your iPhone or Apple Watch,” she said at the WWDC presentation. “Adoption by automakers continues to grow rapidly, with over 20 brands offering car keys in Wallet, with 13 more coming soon, including Acura, Porsche, and Tata.” 

Some of the carmakers that currently offer digital key support include Hyundai, Kia, BYD, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Mini. The move underscores the Cupertino-based giant’s effort to turn wallets into car keys, after turning iPhones and Apple Watches into wallets. The shift signals more than just convenience: it’s a peek into the frictionless future of car ownership and shared mobility. 

At its core, the digital car key is a secure, encrypted credential that resides within your Apple Wallet. Much like boarding passes or bank cards, it allows users to interact with real-world objects—in this case, their vehicles—through near-field communication (NFC) or ultra-wideband (UWB) technology.

First announced in 2020, and continually refined since, the feature allows users to tap to unlock a car by holding their iPhone near the door handle. For newer models and devices supporting UWB (such as iPhone 11 and newer iPhone models), the feature supports proximity-based unlocking, allowing the car to recognise when the user is approaching and unlock automatically. 

Users pair their iPhone or Apple Watch with a compatible vehicle—currently supported by several BMW, Hyundai, and Kia models—via the carmaker’s app or during the in-car setup. The digital key is stored in the Apple Wallet with end-to-end encryption, ensuring that neither Apple nor the automaker has access to it. 

Once added, users can tap their device on the door handle (NFC) or simply walk up to the car (UWB) to unlock it. Starting the engine can also be done via the phone when inside the vehicle. Users can share access with family or friends through iMessage, with options to limit features (such as top speed or access hours) for secondary users—particularly useful for valet or teen drivers.

Apple integrates Face ID and device passcodes to ensure that only authorised users can unlock or start the vehicle. Even if the device is lost or stolen, users can remotely disable the digital key via iCloud or Apple’s Find My service. Importantly, the system leverages the Secure Element chip in iPhones and Apple Watches—the same chip that handles Apple Pay—to isolate sensitive data from the main operating system. This ensures the car key cannot be cloned or tampered with. 

In a world increasingly driven by smartphones, the idea of carrying fewer items resonates deeply with urban consumers. For automakers, Apple Wallet integration adds value, strengthens brand loyalty, and aligns with broader digital transformation goals.

From an ecosystem perspective, it also offers a foundation for future services—such as subscription-based access, ride-sharing keys, or fleet management tools—especially as mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) gains traction. 

The feature is not widely available in India because of a limited number of car models supporting it. However, this is going to change as Tata.ev will now offer support for digital keys on Apple Wallet, making it only a matter of time before digital keys become mainstream in Indian metros.