Google’s December feature for Android includes the ability for iPhone users to remotely share digital car keys with Pixel owners, with other devices to follow.
- What is happening? Google has updated its Android software to include the ability to exchange digital car keys between iPhone and Pixel owners. Support for other compatible Android devices running Android 12+ is in development and will be rolled out soon.
- Why care? Because this is the first time iPhone owners will be able to share digital car keys with Pixel phones.
- What to do? Update your Pixel to the latest OS version.
Android update enables digital car key sharing between iPhone and Pixel
On December 1, 2022, a December feature release was announced on Google’s official blog, with Wear OS improvements, a new YouTube search widget, digital car key sharing between iPhone and Pixel owners, and more.
The update allows users to “remotely share access to compatible vehicles with friends and family,”stating that the feature is “available on the Pixel and later on the iPhone.”
This feature will become more available soon as Google is working on adding support for all Android 12+ devices. The same digital car key works on Android and iOS and you can change it at any time.
Digital Car is a relatively new standard, so you will find that this feature is only supported on recent cars. To learn more about the standard and how to add a car key to the Wallet app on iPhone and Apple Watch, check out the Apple support document. To find out if your vehicle is compatible, contact the manufacturer or dealership.
Google provides similar resources on its Android Help website, explaining how to get started with digital car keys, how to share a digital car key, and more.
What are digital car keys? How do they work?
iPhone users have enjoyed digital car key support for several years, since the feature’s debut in iOS 13.6, which was launched in September 2020. It allows you to not only lock and lock your compatible car with your iPhone, but also start it.
You can share your digital car key via iMessage if you want to securely share access to your car with friends and family. Your digital car keys are available in the Wallet app on all devices that are signed in with the same Apple ID. As with Apple Pay cards, you can remotely erase your digital car keys from a lost or stolen iPhone.
And with iPhone’s backup power feature, you can use your digital car key for up to five hours after your phone’s battery dies. For more information on this, we have a dedicated tutorial for those who want to know what Power Reserve is on Apple devices and how it works.