More than two years after its announcement, in July 2020, Apple’s Car Key functionality, which allows you to unlock your car using your iPhone’s Wallet application, is still limited. If you don’t have a very recent BMW or a compatible model from Kia or Genesis, you can’t take advantage of it. But to speed things up, Apple has just launched a Car Keys Tests app on the App Store.
Test virtual car keys
The new “Car Key Tests” app was added to the App Store yesterday, under Apple’s developer account, but is currently unlisted. To access it, you need to know the direct link, see the end of the article.
The application is obviously not for the general public but for car manufacturers to test integration with Apple’s CarKey function. Apple says the app allows these companies to “test and validate” the certification process requirements for Car Key adoption through its Made-For-iPhone (MFI) program.
For the exclusive use of MFi licensees. Use the Car Keys Tests app to test and validate the connection, performance, and other key requirements for the certification process of vehicles you develop that incorporate Apple digital car key technology. For more information about Car Keys certification, visit the MFi portal at mfi.apple.com.
It is likely that Apple has distributed this application directly to partners, but its introduction on the App Store simplifies the installation process.
Hopefully, this change will help accelerate CarKey adoption and expand the feature to new cars and other manufacturers. This feature is currently limited to certain BMW, Genesis, Hyundai and Kia cars.
Recall that CarKey works via NFC and can not only be used to unlock your car, but also to start it, share car keys with other people, and more.
Download the free app Car Keys Tests
