Lexus Adds Apple Car Key Support

Apple Car Key support could be on the way to some Lexus vehicles, according to a new report citing code references found in Apple’s back-end servers.

The MacRumors report says that it has found code that suggests work is underway to allow Lexus vehicles to support the digital key feature. The report also notes that a similar code discovery hinted at Toyota’s support for the same feature before it was officially announced for the 2026 Rav4 earlier this year. Notably, Lexus is owned by Toyota.

Adding Apple’s technology could also be aided by the fact that Lexus already has its own digital key system. That would suggest that much of the infrastructure is already in place, ready to be adapted for Apple’s own implementation.

Lexus already offers its own app-based Digital Key system, but unlike Apple Car Key, it requires an active connection to Toyota’s servers to function and has not historically worked via Apple Wallet. Apple Car Key stores a digital key directly in the Wallet app and uses NFC for unlocking, with an Express Mode that allows access without authentication. On compatible devices, it continues to work for up to five hours after a phone’s battery has died.

Lexus already confirmed that the 2026 Lexus ES would be the first to feature enhanced Digital Key functionality when it launches later this year.