General Motors begins Apple Wallet digital car key rollout across Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC
Passive entry over Ultra Wideband debuts on Cadillac Lyriq and Vistiq EVs before expanding to full-size gas SUVs in December.
Technology news
General Motors has begun deploying native digital car key support for Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, and Samsung Wallet, enabling vehicle owners to unlock, start, and control their automobiles using smartphones and smartwatches. The initial phase is rolling out across Cadillac electric vehicles, including the 2025–2027 Lyriq, 2026–2027 Optiq, and 2027 Vistiq.[4]
The integration utilizes Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity to enable true passive entry: the vehicle senses the driver's approach, automatically unlocking the doors and locking them upon departure without requiring the driver to take their device out of a pocket or bag. Drivers can also trigger liftgates, initiate remote start, and adjust climate controls directly from the native wallet app. On iOS, compatibility requires an iPhone 11 or newer (excluding SE models and the 16e) or an Apple Watch Series 6 or newer.[4]
In December, GM will extend digital wallet key capabilities to its flagship full-size internal combustion and electric SUVs. The second phase encompasses the 2027 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade IQ/IQL, and Celestiq, alongside the 2026–2027 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL. Owners can securely share digital vehicle keys with up to seven trusted contacts via messaging apps, setting customized access schedules and teen-driver restrictions.[4]
Our take: GM's adoption of Apple Wallet digital keys represents a sensible, consumer-friendly compromise. While the automaker previously generated controversy by eliminating Apple CarPlay from its EV dashboards in favor of an in-house Google platform, drivers expect foundational vehicle access and security to integrate seamlessly with their personal mobile devices. Adopting standardized Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) protocols ensures modern digital convenience without compromising GM's proprietary software ambitions.