Apple Car Key, Now With a Toyota Badge
Apple’s digital car key first appeared in 2020, and, really, it just made sense. If your car already unlocked itself when you got close, swapping the fob for your phone was the next logical step. Since then, Apple Car Key has quietly spread to more brands – Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo are all on board.
Toyota is finally joining the party, but there’s a catch: right now, only the 2026 RAV4 (and only certain trims) in the US get Apple Car Key. This wasn’t even announced officially – it slipped out through a Reddit post. As of now, there’s no word on whether other 2026 Toyotas will follow. So yes, Toyota is in, but only just.
For Convenience, Not a Fob Replacement
Apple Car Key lets you lock, unlock, and start your car with your iPhone or Apple Watch, as long as it’s in your Apple Wallet. Toyota uses Ultra Wideband tech for passive entry, so you just walk up, open the door, and drive – no need to dig out your phone. You’ll need at least an iPhone 11 or Apple Watch Series 6, though a few SE models are exceptions.
Starting with the RAV4 is a no-brainer. It’s Toyota’s top seller in the US, so if you’re going to roll out a new tech feature, this is where you do it. And it probably won’t stop here. Toyota has been adding more connected features throughout the lineup, so it’s really just a matter of when – not if – other models get Apple Car Key too.
There’s another catch, however. Apple Car Key is said to be tied to Toyota Remote Connect, which costs $15 a month after the first year. New buyers get a one-year trial, but after that, you’ll need to pay to keep using the feature.
Common Issues You Should Know About
Beyond Toyota, Apple Car Key keeps popping up on more vehicles, even if Apple’s official compatibility page is reportedly incomplete at this point. Publications like MacRumors have tracked steady additions through mid-2025, so coverage is wider than the official lists suggest.
But as slick as it sounds, Apple Car Key isn’t perfect. Owners of different cars from various brands have run into common headaches, like hit-or-miss pairing. Some phones reportedly just won’t register, and subscription limits make the simple feature a hassle. For now, it’s a handy extra, but not a full replacement for old-school fob as more brands, Toyota included, jump in.
Cole Attisha
