Apple is preparing to introduce digital car key support for Xiaomi electric vehicles within the Apple Wallet platform.
Discovered in recent system beta software, this integration establishes an unexpected bridge between two direct global competitors in the consumer technology and mobile device sectors.
Xiaomi SU7
- Supported Vehicles: The software integration will extend native keyless entry and ignition capabilities to drivers of the Xiaomi SU7 sedan, the YU7 SUV, and future connected vehicles produced by the Chinese manufacturer.
- Core Functionality: Vehicle owners can store an encrypted digital key in Apple Wallet, allowing them to unlock, lock, and start their car using an iPhone or Apple Watch via NFC (Near Field Communication) and proximity sensors.
- Broader Automotive Ecosystem: Apple Wallet currently supports digital vehicle keys for legacy and electric automakers including BMW, Rivian, Kia, Hyundai, Volvo, Polestar, and Audi. Xiaomi represents the first direct smartphone competitor to adopt Apple’s digital key standard.
Xiaomi YU7 SUV
The integration offers distinct strategic advantages for both companies in China, which serves as Xiaomi’s primary automotive market and one of Apple’s most crucial international regions.
For Apple, adding native support for popular domestic electric vehicles increases the iPhone’s utility among Chinese consumers. This strengthens platform retention at a time when software feature rollouts, such as localized Apple Intelligence, face regional schedules.
For Xiaomi, interoperability ensures that its rapidly expanding electric vehicle lineup remains attractive to affluent car buyers who operate primarily within the iOS ecosystem rather than using Xiaomi smartphones.
The digital car key integration is anticipated to launch publicly in upcoming mobile software releases. A full list of vehicles that support Car Keys can be found on Apple’s official CarPlay model availability webpage.
Filed in . Read more about Apple, Electric Cars and Xiaomi.