Apple Wallet Car Keys Come to GM Vehicles
GM has begun rolling out Apple Wallet car keys in select Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC models, according to a late September press release that surfaced more recently. The automaker says additional models will follow over time, and the feature will extend across a broad set of model years rather than arriving all at once.
Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet will also be supported. A related Samsung press release mentions availability in the U.S. and Canada, so owners on both major mobile platforms will eventually have a digital key option.
Which Vehicles Get Apple Wallet Car Keys?
GM outlined the rollout in two phases, with model years listed in parentheses. The first wave covers the earliest adopters, while the second wave brings the feature to larger SUVs and the Escalade lineup.
September–October 2026
Cadillac Vistiq (2027)
Cadillac Optiq (2026–2027)
Cadillac Lyriq (2025–2027)
December 2026
Cadillac Escalade (2027)
Cadillac Escalade IQ/IQL (2027)
Chevrolet Suburban (2026–2027)
Chevrolet Tahoe (2026–2027)
GMC Yukon (2026–2027)
GMC Yukon XL (2026–2027)
GM said customers will see a notification in the “What’s New” section of their vehicle’s mobile app when digital key support becomes available. That means owners do not need to hunt for the feature manually; the app will prompt them once their vehicle is eligible.
What Can You Do With Apple Wallet Car Keys?
The feature lets you use a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch as your vehicle’s key. GM said supported vehicles will automatically unlock as you approach and lock when you walk away, removing the need to dig for a fob or press a button.
You can also open the vehicle’s trunk and turn the climate control system on or off directly from the Apple Wallet app. That remote control layer is useful when you are loading cargo or want the cabin at a comfortable temperature before setting off.
Compatible iPhone and Apple Watch Models
GM’s digital keys use ultra-wideband technology for secure, proximity-based authentication, along with Bluetooth. Ultra-wideband helps the vehicle recognize your device at close range with precision, which is why the feature is limited to newer hardware.
They work with the following devices:
iPhone 11 or later, excluding iPhone SE 2, iPhone SE 3, and iPhone 16e
Apple Watch Series 6 or later
Owners with older devices will need to upgrade before they can take advantage of the digital key. It is worth checking your exact model before the rollout reaches your vehicle.
How to Set Up Apple Wallet Car Keys
Setting up a digital key takes a few steps, according to GM. The process is handled through the vehicle’s mobile app and requires the physical key fob to be present.
Download and sign in to your vehicle’s mobile app.
Sit in your OnStar-connected GM vehicle with the physical key fob nearby.
Follow the app’s prompts to add a digital key to your compatible digital wallet.
More details are available in Apple’s support document. Once the key is added, it lives in your wallet alongside your other cards and passes.
Why This Rollout Matters
The expansion brings Apple Wallet car keys to a wider range of mainstream vehicles, moving the feature beyond the luxury models that first adopted it. Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC together cover a large share of GM’s lineup, so the reach is significant.
For GM owners, the change means one less item to carry—provided their vehicle and phone meet the compatibility requirements. It also signals that digital keys are shifting from a niche convenience to an expected feature in new vehicles.
What to Watch For
The rollout dates are tied to model years, so owners of older vehicles in the same nameplates may not see support. GM has said additional models will follow over time, but it has not published a full schedule beyond the two phases listed above.
Owners should keep their vehicle’s mobile app updated and watch the “What’s New” section for the notification. Keeping the app current also ensures the setup prompts appear correctly when support arrives.
