04:18 21-11-2025

Cadillac adopts Apple Car Key and Apple Wallet for seamless NFC/UWB access

Cadillac is preparing to join the ranks of brands whose cars can be unlocked and started with an iPhone or Apple Watch. Code in Apple’s latest software update reveals Car Key support for General Motors models, including Cadillac. From here it’s over to GM’s developers: the system will let drivers keep a virtual key in Apple Wallet and rely on NFC and ultra‑wideband for seamless, contactless access.

The timing is telling. GM has said it will gradually phase out CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of its own infotainment platform built on Android Automotive. Yet collaboration with Apple isn’t off the table elsewhere: the company has directly confirmed that Apple Wallet is being adopted for a range of vehicle functions. It reads like a pragmatic split—tight control over the dashboard, while still tapping into Apple’s strengths where it benefits owners most.

Car Key already operates with premium names such as BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. For Cadillac, this move bolsters its tech image, particularly as a fresh wave of electric models approaches—from the Escalade IQ to the compact Optiq. Few signals of modern luxury are as immediate as tapping a phone or watch to open the car; it’s the kind of touchpoint that quietly elevates the brand experience.

Digital keys are a natural next step for automotive tech, and for Cadillac they’re a way to stay competitive even without CarPlay. From the driver’s seat, the appeal is obvious: once you try it, it quickly becomes second nature—and it’s poised to become a standard feature in the upper tier of premium cars.