Apple’s new feature ‘CarKey’ lets users unlock car with iPhone

SAN FRANCISCO: Apple has officially announced the ‘CarKey’ feature with the launch of iOS 14, which will allow users to unlock, lock, and start their car.

Through this new update, CarKey will let the users use the iPhone and also the Apple Watch to unlock, lock, and start a car. Users will be able to use CarKey in NFC-compatible cars, as they only need to hold the device near the vehicle to use it as a key.

This feature will become available next year. The pairing process is done through the Wallet app, and then it’s necessary to have the car manufacturer’s app to proceed with the setup. Users must place the iPhone on top of the NFC reader in the car during the initial process, and then CarKey will be available in the Wallet app.

CarKey can be shared with other people via iMessage, such as family members. Users will be able to use CarKey not only with iOS 14 but also with an upcoming update to iOS 13.

Apple also unveiled the next generation of digital car keys based on Ultra-Wideband technology for spatial awareness delivered through the U1 chip, which will allow users to unlock future car models without removing their iPhones from their pockets or bag.

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