Tesla is said to be working on a new feature that would let iPhone users use the Apple Wallet app to lock, open, and start their cars. With this change, Tesla drivers will no longer need a different key card or the Tesla mobile app to get into and drive their cars.
People who know about the plans say that the connection will work by putting a digital copy of the car key in Apple Wallet. Once everything was set up, iPhone users would just open their Wallet to get to their Tesla, which is a lot like using a digital card to pay for something or open a door.
How the New Part Might Work
Apple Wallet already stores digital keys for some other car brands. Tesla’s possible feature would let users lock or open their cars by tapping their iPhone against them. It might also let them start the car without having to use a key.
To do this, a digital key for that Tesla would have to be added to the Apple Wallet. Once it was connected, the iPhone could talk to the car using Bluetooth or NFC (near-field communication) to make getting in and out of the car easier.
For users, this could make getting to their cars easier every day. Tesla users could use their iPhones instead of bringing around multiple keys, since many people already do that all the time.
Tesla is working to make access systems easier to use
Tesla already gives its customers a number of ways to get to and start their cars:
- Using the Tesla app on a smartphone
- A key card that the company gives you
- The Tesla key fob is an extra
Even with these choices, many users still prefer ease of use and less mess. By letting Apple Pay work with the system, a digital answer is created where the phone acts as the main key to the car.
People who follow the industry say that supporting Apple Wallet would help Tesla appeal to iPhone users who like it when apps work together and the user experience is smooth.
What It Means for iPhone Users
By fully rolling out this feature, Tesla would let iPhone users whose cars are compatible with it:
- Use Apple Wallet to lock and unlock the car.
- You can start the car without a real key.
- Only carry their phone for getting into and out of the car and for daily needs.
- People who don’t want to install or open the Tesla app every time they want to use their car might find this useful.
- Other car companies already store digital keys in Apple Wallet. Now that Tesla is on board, more owners of electric cars may benefit from a unified digital key experience.
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Thoughts on Technology and Security
Experts say that these kinds of systems depend on private contact between the phone and the car, but the specifics of the technology are still being worked out. Apple Wallet’s digital key system has many levels of security to keep people from getting in without permission.
Tesla will have to make sure that Apple’s security rules don’t interfere with its system. The company already has safe mobile access technologies built into its own app and key systems. Making Apple Wallet work with them is probably an extension of that knowledge.
Because cars are valuable things, security is still very important for any digital key system. People will expect strong defences to keep their cars safe from hackers and other threats that come from online access.
A bigger trend in digital car keys
As more and more people use their smartphones for daily jobs, automakers have been slowly starting to use digital key technologies. A lot of big brands now let Android users store digital car keys in Apple Wallet or similar apps.
Tesla’s decision to accept Apple Pay is in line with a larger trend in the industry: progress is driven by making things easier and better integrating technology.
If the feature is added, it could make it even harder to tell the difference between traditional car keys and current digital entry systems. This would make driving easier and more tech-friendly in daily life.
