iPhones and Apple Watches will soon support digital car keys for three more automakers: Lincoln, Lucid Motors, and China’s Freelander. New evidence from internal Apple code confirms the brands are being added to Apple Wallet’s growing list of compatible vehicle brands. The update does not specify when the feature will roll out.
What’s New
Apple’s digital key system allows owners to lock, unlock, and start their vehicles using only an iPhone or Apple Watch. Up till now, compatible brands have included Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a few others. The leaked info shows that Lincoln and Lucid will be next, along with Freelander in China.
While the exact timing wasn’t uncovered in the code, the move suggests Apple is continuing to push Car Keys forward as a core part of its ecosystem. The addition of Lincoln and Lucid covers more of the U.S. luxury and EV markets, and Freelander’s inclusion shows international expansion, especially in China.
Background and Significance
Apple introduced the Car Key feature with iOS updates a few years back. It’s based on digital key standards that let compatible vehicles register a secure key in the Apple Wallet app. Users can then control car access through NFC or sometimes via other wireless tech like ultra wideband. Adoption has steadily grown, with more automakers adding support over time.
Lincoln’s parent company, Ford, has embraced advanced digital experiences in recent years, which makes the inclusion logical. Lucid, with its luxury EVs, could benefit from tighter integration with smartphones, bringing smart-ownership features in step with smart-powertrains. For Freelander, which operates in China’s highly competitive EV and connected-car space, this adds another point of differentiation.
That said, adding a brand in code doesn’t guarantee immediate availability. Features have emerged in Apple’s work before being delayed or limited in rollout. For consumers, what will matter is when and whether their specific model and region are compatible.
Still, this is another clear signal: the digital car key isn’t a novelty but a growing standard. Automakers want to reduce dependence on physical keys and build deeper phone-car integrations. And Apple, often criticized for being late to the automotive space, keeps extending its reach into the vehicle.
What to Keep an Eye On
Watch for updates in upcoming iOS releases—especially version 27—that could officially add settings or car maker compatibility lists for Lincoln, Lucid, and Freelander. Vehicle firmware updates may also come from the car brands themselves. Users should check with dealerships or the manufacturer for model support.
This isn’t a launch; it’s a rollout preview. It matters because it frames how people will interact with cars going forward—not just driving them, but unlocking and starting them with a few taps. With Apple stretching Car Keys across more brands, expect growing pressure on other automakers to follow suit.
