One of the new iOS 14 features, which will also be available to iOS 13 users, is CarKey. With CarKey, you can use your iPhone or Apple Watch to lock, unlock, and start a car. Unfortunately, this feature is not supported by all devices that can run iOS 14 and watchOS 7.
CarKey uses NFC technology to communicate with the car, allowing the devices to function as a true car key. 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.
Since CarKey works automatically without the user having to unlock the phone and open any applications, it requires background tag reading technology, something that is only available on iPhone XR and later versions.
According to the Apple website, CarKey is also restricted to Apple Watch Series 5, which launched last year. However, this may seem controversial, as the Apple Watch Series 5 hardware is almost identical to the Series 4. The only real differences between Apple Watch Series 4 and Series 5 are the display, the built-in compass, and internal storage.
Still, Apple has decided that Apple Watch Series 4 owners will not have access to CarKey. You can check the full compatibility list below:
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- Apple Watch Series 5
The first compatible car is the BMW 5 Series 2021, but the company has not mentioned when CarKey will be available.
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