You can leave your wallet at home for payments, proof of insurance, and even government ID if you just have your phone. What if your phone could also be your car key, and you could also leave your keys or key fob at home?
That’s the world I’ve been living in for the past two years with my 2025 BMW i5 and it’s been amazingly convenient. This technology is coming to most future vehicles, and if you have a new car from the past 5–6 years, you might already have it.
Using my phone, with its Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radio (or Near Field Communication (NFC)) tech, I leave my phone in my pocket to both unlock my vehicle and then turn it on. My car even locks itself when I walk away from it. It’s frictionless, and I don’t want to ever go back to regular keys or fobs. Of course, there are a couple of downsides.
Here’s what I’ve found using this new tech.
What it’s like to not need a car key
My phone is my key
My BMW supports something called BMW Digital Key Plus. It uses UWB and can detect my presence such that when I step close to the car and touch the door handle, it unlocks. If I walk up to the trunk, it detects the digital key and lets me open it. When I walk away, the car “sees” my phone going out of range and automatically locks the doors. Then, when I sit down inside the car, all you do is press the stop/start button and the car turns on because again, the car detects the presence of the digital key.
Since I always have my phone on me (either my Google Pixel or an iPhone), it means I also always have my car key on me, despite the fact that my actual key fobs are at home in a drawer.
One great thing about Digital Key Plus is that I can still use the two key fobs that came with my car, like if my wife needs to use my car (although BMW lets you “share” your digital key with other compatible Android or iPhones).
Newer cars let you use your phone as your main key
Using either NFC or UWB
Digital car keys can work in one of three ways: shorter-distance NFC, which often requires you to bring your phone to your door handle to unlock it, then place the phone in a specific resting spot in the car (usually near the cupholder or in the wireless charging dock, depending on model). NFC is the same technology that enables tap-to-pay when you use your phone to pay for things, so that gives you an idea of how NFC digital car keys function by close vicinity.
The second option is the newer, longer-range UWB, which is much better — you often don’t have to remove the phone from your pocket or purse at all, in a similar fashion to most modern key fobs that let you leave the fob in your pocket and can unlock your car as you approach it and even start your car without needing to place your key in a special location (though some cars require you to place the fob in a slot or rest it in a certain place in the car before starting).
And though less common, some digital key systems, like those from Ford and GM, actually use Bluetooth.
These cars support digital car keys
Below is a list of some of the most common cars in America from the last 5–6 years that support some level of digital key.
They either support NFC, UWB, or both in some cases (while some Ford and GM models use Blutooth, as mentioned) and I encourage you to check with your manufacturer or look online for specifics.
- BMW (i-Series from 2022 on, X1-X7 from 2023 on, 3, 4, 5, 7 series from 2023 on)
- MINI (from 2024 on)
- Hyundai (Elantra & Kona from 2024 on, Palisade, Ioniq 6 from 2023 on, Tucson from 2025 on)
- Kia (Niro, Seltos, Telluride, EV9, EV6, EV3, Carnival, Sorento from 2024 on and Sportage from 2026 on)
- Genesis (most models from 2023 on)
- Ford (Mustang Mach-E from 2021 on, certain high-trim F-150s and Expeditions) — Some Ford digital keys are Bluetooth-based
- GM (Cadillac Lyriq from 2023 on, Blazer EV, Equinox EV, Silverado EV from 2024 on, Hummer EV) – Some GM digital keys are Bluetooth-based
These phones support UWB car keys
You can check your phone manufacturer’s website, but here’s a look at some of the most common phones that support UWB to enable digital car key functionality.
The vast majority of phones released in the past 10 years have NFC, which enables digital car keys in some cases, but using digital keys to the fullest often means checking to see if your phone or watch has UWB.
- Samsung (Galaxy S21-S26 Plus and Ultra models, all Galaxy Z Folds from the Fold 2 on)
- Google Pixel Pro (from Pixel 6 Pro on)
- Apple iPhone (from iPhone 11 and on)
- Motorola (Edge 50 Ultra, Razr 50 Ultra, Razr +, Razr 60 Ultra)
But you can also utilize your smartwatch as a digital car key. That would include devices like:
- Pixel Watch 3 and above
- Apple Watch Series 6 and above
Just because your phone or watch supports UWB doesn’t mean you can use it as a digital car key, because it’s up to the manufacturer. You can always check by downloading the respective app for your car and attempting to add the digital key to your phone or watch. Typically, the car apps will link the key to either Google Wallet or Apple Wallet, placing your car key alongside your payment options (secured by whatever authentication method you use).
The app lets me share the key easily
And specify permissions
All digital car key systems have an accompanying app on Android and iOS, like the above for BMW. This app lets you set up your digital key, add it to your Google Wallet or Apple Wallet, share the key (and specify key permission per user) and more. Even if I don’t have my phone on me, the UWB on my smartwatch lets me unlock and turn on my car. It’s pure freedom.
Even if I don’t have my phone on me, the UWB on my smartwatch lets me unlock and turn on my car. It’s pure freedom.
There are some obvious downsides
The keyless future isn’t perfect
If you’re going to valet your car, you’re obviously not going to give someone your phone or watch. In those cases, you have to think ahead and bring your actual key fob. You’ll also want to have your key fob with you if you’re using a valet so that you can access the physical valet key (which most key fobs have inside) which allows you to separately lock your glove box to secure valuables.
And while most digital key systems, like the one in my BMW, allow you to share your key to other compatible devices, living the “no car key lifestyle” means that you aren’t traveling with your key fob anymore, so lending someone your car becomes something you have to pre-plan for.
Another problem with digital key is that while you can share the key with other devices, the primary key can only exist on one phone at a time. Meaning, if you switch between phones, you’ll have to go through a transfer process which requires you to (in the case of my BMW) physically bring both key fobs into the car with the new phone. If you don’t switch phones regularly, this is not an issue.
But for me, there’s no going back. For two years now, I haven’t had to think about my car keys, and it’s been a wonderful, liberating experience that I hope you get to experience with your next car.
