You can keep your car keys on your Apple Watch and this is how you do it

Here’s how to store your car key straight onto your Apple Watch, meaning the days of scrabbling around trying to find your keys could be behind you.

Both the iPhone and Apple Watch come with smart NFC technology, which allows you to store a digital wallet on the device. 

Your Apple Wallet is a great place to store credit and debit cards, but it can also hold boarding passes, concert tickets, and even your ID. 

It can also store your car key, so you can approach your vehicle and open it up with the flick of your wrist.

Here’s how to put your car key on your Apple Watch

Before you get started, you’ll need a few things, namely: a compatible car, an iPhone XS or newer – or an iPhone SE 2nd gen or newer – and an Apple Watch Series 5 or newer, all running the latest version of iOS. 

Your digital car key will live inside your Apple Wallet, so to set it up, you’ll need to use your iPhone. 

To add the key, you’ll usually need to download your carmaker’s companion app or use the in-car infotainment system. 

Setup varies slightly depending on the car, but you might be asked to place the top of your iPhone near the car’s key reader so they can be securely paired. 

Once the setup is complete on your iPhone, it’ll also automatically appear on your Watch. 

If you don’t see the car key on your watch, open up the Watch app on your iPhone, tap Wallet, then Apple Pay, and then hit Add next to your car key.

With that done, you’re all ready to go. 

By default, your car key will be in Express Mode, which means you won’t need to authenticate it using FaceID, TouchID, or your passcode to open up your vehicle. 

Your Watch might also support Passive Entry, which will unlock the door as you approach it and unlock it when you walk away, or Proximity Entry, where you hold the watch near your car’s key reader to unlock it and then use the start button as usual. 

Several carmakers have signed up for Apple Car Keys, and there’s more to come

Apple introduced its Car Key feature a few years back, and a steady stream of carmakers have launched models that can use the function. 

Brands including BMW, Audi, and Hyundai have been on the board with the clever tech for a while now, and more marques are joining soon. 

Last summer, the tech giant announced that 13 more brands were signing up for Apple Car Keys, including Rivian, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC. 

Toyota has also recently introduced the feature on its RAV4, and is expected to push it out to additional models in the near future. 

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