Tesla may get support for the Apple Car Key digital key
By ForGeeks
The Tesla app’s code shows signs of future integration with the digital car key feature – first for Huawei, then possibly Apple Wallet.
Starting in 2020, iPhone and Apple Watch owners can use iOS’s built-in Car Key feature to open and start compatible cars without a physical key. The technology works through the mobile device’s NFC chip. However, some manufacturers, including Tesla, still only offer their own mobile apps for these tasks.
On Monday, version 4.52.0 of Tesla’s app was released, and references to the Harmony Wallet Key Card were found in the code. This indicates preparations for integration with Huawei’s HarmonyOS operating system. Huawei’s digital key functionality is similar to Apple’s Car Key: both use a smartphone’s NFC module to unlock a car.
Huawei’s digital keys are similar to the Apple Car Key: both use a smartphone’s NFC module to unlock a car.
Why Huawei first
According to Not a Tesla app, Tesla usually tests new features in China before a global launch. The reason is Huawei’s high share of the Chinese smartphone market. In January 2025, Huawei had 18.2% of the market in China, while Apple controlled 17.2%. The Chinese brand’s leadership has been in place since at least 2018, when Huawei surpassed Apple in terms of smartphone shipments globally.
Huawei’s leadership has been in place since at least 2018, when Huawei surpassed Apple in smartphone shipments globally.
It makes sense that Tesla is the first to launch integration with a platform more prevalent in its core sales region. Once tested on Huawei, similar support could appear on other platforms.
Perspectives for Apple Car Key
The discovered code doesn’t explicitly mention Apple Wallet or Car Key, but technically there’s nothing stopping Tesla from implementing the same support for Apple devices after debugging on HarmonyOS.
The Car Key feature is now compatible with cars from more than 30 brands. At WWDC 2025, Apple announced plans to expand the list to 13 more brands. If Tesla joins the list, it would be an unexpected but welcome addition for iPhone owners.
Clearer evidence of forthcoming Car Key support has previously emerged for General Motors vehicles and subsidiary brands such as Cadillac.
