Apple's digital car key feature for iPhone and Apple Watch is expanding to Mercedes-Benz, with changes to Apple's back-end configuration files for the feature having been updated today with references to the automaker, as noticed by Nicolás Álvarez (via @aaronp613). Only a handful of brands including BMW, BYD, Genesis, Hyundai, and Kia have so far introduced support for the feature on select models, which allows you to add a digital car key to the Wallet app on your iPhone and Apple Watch and then lock, unlock, and start your car without needing a physical key. Just a month ago, Lotus appeared in Apple's configuration files as another upcoming brand that will support the feature.

Mercedes-Benz announced last month that the new E-Class sedan will support the feature, which it refers to as Digital Vehicle Key, as part of its KEYLESS-GO Comfort Package. The E-Class digital key can be shared with up to 16 people, with the primary user able to assign certain rights to specific users such as only allowing access to the vehicle or also allowing it to be driven.

Depending on the technology adopted by a given manufacturer, you may need to hold your device in close proximity to the door handle or in-car reader, while other vehicles may support passive entry where the digital key will function as long as you have your device on you. Select vehicles may also support remote lock and unlock via the digital car key.

Article Link: Mercedes-Benz Preparing to Launch Digital Car Key Support for iPhone and Apple Watch in Latest E-Class Sedan

GM CEO just shakes her head...

I know this is sad but I've been waiting on more manufacturers to add this feature so I can buy a new car. I'll wait to see what Porsche does with the 992.2, but this is amazing news!!!

This is one of those things that, like Passkeys, Matter, and "Find My" devices, needs a standard so both Android and iOS could take advantage of this feature.

lazyrighteye said:

GM CEO just shakes his head...

When did GM replace CEO Mary Barra with a new (male) CEO?

I have digital key access on my phone for both of my cars. The 2023 model unlocks and locks based on having my phone on me. So I don't need to hold it to the door handle like the 2021 model.

DaPizzaMan said:

This is one of those things that, like Passkeys, Matter, and "Find My" devices, needs a standard so both Android and iOS could take advantage of this feature.

Passkeys are based on a standard, FIDO and Webauthn, you can use Passkeys on Android, you just can't use the same Passkey between Apple and Android, you would need to setup 2 Passkeys, one for each device, a little inconvenient but it works.

These car keys are also based on the Car Connectivity Consortium digital keys standard: https://carconnectivity.org/digital-key/

BMWs let you use some Android phones as a key with the same tech as the iPhone (UWB and NFC).

The new E Class is going to be AMAZING!

DaPizzaMan said:

This is one of those things that, like Passkeys, Matter, and "Find My" devices, needs a standard so both Android and iOS could take advantage of this feature.

HomeKit is the feature that needed a standard so both Android and iOS could take advantage of it, Matter is that standard.

nicolas17 said:

HomeKit is the feature that needed a standard so both Android and iOS could take advantage of it, Matter is that standard.

IMHO, HomeKit was the appetizer and Matter seems to be the main course

jaytv111 said:

Passkeys are based on a standard, FIDO and Webauthn, you can use Passkeys on Android, you just can't use the same Passkey between Apple and Android, you would need to setup 2 Passkeys, one for each device, a little inconvenient but it works.

And you can use your Android phone to login to a website on a Mac, or an iPhone to login to a website on a Chromebook. You can't sync a passkey between Android and iOS, but you can use one to login on the other.

The one straggler that still hasn't added support for Passkeys is Firefox!

It's unfortunate all these auto manufacturers are still resistant to moving to a digital solution. Tesla incorporated digital keys into their vehicles and it's quite impressive. Walk up to the car, door unlocks and it's automatically on and ready to drive. When you've reached your destination, the minute you exit the car and close the door, the car shuts off and it'll lock and arm the car automatically.

sharpie000 said:

It's unfortunate all these auto manufacturers are still resistant to moving to a digital solution. Tesla incorporated digital keys into their vehicles and it's quite impressive. Walk up to the car, door unlocks and it's automatically on and ready to drive. When you've reached your destination, the minute you exit the car and close the door, the car shuts off and it'll lock and arm the car automatically.

It's not reliable on walking up to the tailgate or passenger door (unlike my toyota). Having to open the drivers door, and hit the unlock button on the screen to put a dog in the back is a major PITA.

Plus, what do you hand a valet?

sharpie000 said:

It's unfortunate all these auto manufacturers are still resistant to moving to a digital solution. Tesla incorporated digital keys into their vehicles and it's quite impressive. Walk up to the car, door unlocks and it's automatically on and ready to drive. When you've reached your destination, the minute you exit the car and close the door, the car shuts off and it'll lock and arm the car automatically.

Something like that is easier to implement on an EV than a vehicle with an ICE (internal combustion engine) such as this Mercedes E Class. Just because I enter or exit a vehicle doesn't mean I want the ICE to start up or shut off.

sharpie000 said:

It's unfortunate all these auto manufacturers are still resistant to moving to a digital solution. Tesla incorporated digital keys into their vehicles and it's quite impressive. Walk up to the car, door unlocks and it's automatically on and ready to drive. When you've reached your destination, the minute you exit the car and close the door, the car shuts off and it'll lock and arm the car automatically.

It’s great, WHEN IT WORKS, which is not 100% of the time and can be very inconsistent across devices, same OS, but different BTLE or NFC versions for different HW devices can impact it, and also when multiple devices with Key Card access are SORT of close.. i think OEM would really like it to be VERY VERY close to 100% reliable (as their millions of owners have experienced with key fob keys and other forms of lock/entry/start devices), and even with Tesla, PAK access still isn’t there at least not 100%, I’d put it in the low 90’s at best.

And, before you post “it works for me (you) 100% of the time!” Etc, that may be true, but just take a cursory look at any tesla forum and you’ll find that 100% reliability for PAK is NOT the universal experience and it hasn’t been easy to figure out why/what situation/where does the problem lie to get it closer to 100% Or at least much more reliable.

sw1tcher said:

When did GM replace CEO Mary Barra with a new (male) CEO?

Oh. Ha. Funny... when I typed "his," I did wonder but was, admittedly, too lazy to check. Thanks. Fixed.

Hm, so E-class will have this, but S-class won't?..

MallardDuck said:

It's not reliable on walking up to the tailgate or passenger door (unlike my toyota). Having to open the drivers door, and hit the unlock button on the screen to put a dog in the back is a major PITA.

Plus, what do you hand a valet?

That only happens when you have the “Driver door-only” mode toggled on. Turn it off and all doors will unlock upon approach.

You get two card keys with the car, you just hand one to the valet.

alexandr said:

Hm, so E-class will have this, but S-class won't?..

Mercedes will often introduce new features, functions, design, technology in the C and E Klasse before rolling it into the S (or other Classes at this point)… I think they like to test it out first before further refinement and roll-out for their highest price offerings.

Speaking from just a BIT of experience here. ;-)

would like Tesla to incorporate this. bluetooth is sketchy and would rather just wave my Apple Watch at the B-pillar NFC sensor to unlock.

This is awesome, but I'm also waiting for the next generation of Carplay - now THAT looks super cool.

tivoboy said:

Mercedes will often introduce new features, functions, design, technology in the C and E Klasse before rolling it into the S (or other Classes at this point)… I think they like to test it out first before further refinement and roll-out for their highest price offerings.

Speaking from just a BIT of experience here. ;-)

I hear you. With BMW it's the opposite, unfortunately. Of course it's now available, but they had a very hard time with availability. Perhaps still do.

I hope people just stop buying GM products. The company that tried to (unsuccessfully) kill...(but seriously mamed)....

the electric streetcar (& public transit)
the electric car
hydrogen cars
the hybrid car
sedans
and now they want to add Apple CarPlay to this list.

Nevermind the fact that they just sell regurgitated body styles across different brands over and over, no innovation at all. They're like HP of the automotive industry, you know, the same one that said "who would want a computer in their house?"....the same HP that puts DRM in printers. Yep, GM and HP should partner up. They probably can throw in a mediocre printer with every mediocre car sold or something, and require you to have HP Instant Ink to start the car.

Meanwhile, we gotta commend Mercedes, they kind of you know, invented the automobile...

I'm not sure I see the point. Having a key in my pocket all the times ensures things. It's MUCH easier to carry a small key than a very large phone when going into stores, etc.

No point, and YES I have the option. I can still use my phone to lock-unlock, and remote start. But I still may try it, for kicks.

Seems like a risk on the part of Mercedes, counting on Apple like that. I'd assume there is a default of their own at least. So an M1/M2 can only one run external, does this count as 1 or 3 external monitors on an iPhone?