Confirmed: Genesis gets Apple CarKey tech, launching on GV60 and G90 in 2022

Genesis has confirmed to Chasing Cars that it will add digital key support for iPhones, starting with the GV60 SUV and G90 large sedan

Genesis has told Chasing Cars that it will launch digital key support for Apple iPhone users this year, largely confirming speculation published earlier this week that the brand would join BMW in implementing Apple’s CarKey phone-as-digital key technology on iOS.

A spokesperson for Genesis said that the Genesis digital key tech will now allow “both iPhone and Android phone users” to unlock, lock and start their car, using their phone as a key.

The digital key technology, which Chasing Cars understands makes use of Apple’s CarKeys protocol on iOS devices, will be released for the newest Genesis models first: the electric GV60 midsize SUV and the G90 large sedan.

2022 Genesis GV60 white exterior left side — The Genesis GV60 will be the first vehicle to receive iPhone digital key support

While the tech is initially available only to GV60 and G90 owners with iPhones in South Korea, Genesis says it will consider local customer needs and government regulations in deciding which markets will receive its digital key system.

A spokesperson for Genesis Australia told Chasing Cars said the luxury brand was keen to add digital key tech for local owners with iPhone and Android devices.

“The Genesis digital key is a feature we are keen to introduce in Australia, but as yet [it] is not currently available for our market,” the spokesperson said.

Genesis Apple CarKey 2022 — Genesis will become only the second brand to join the CarKey protocol after BMW

If approved, the feature could debut in Australia on the Genesis GV60 – the brand’s first all-electric model that is set to launch locally in the first half of 2022.

It was reported earlier this week that references to Genesis models had been discovered in configuration coding for Apple Pay, the near-field communication (NFC) payments technology that the iPhone’s CarKey digital car unlocking tech piggybacks off.

Genesis G90 2022 rear view — The luxurious G90, not sold in Australia, will also be among the first Genesis models to get iOS CarKey support

Apple revealed its NFC-driven CarKey integration at its 2020 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event, with German luxury brand BMW as the launch partner.

BMW brought the CarKey tech to Australia in late 2020, and expanded it with an ultra-wideband version of the tech with the iX electric SUV – allowing the owner’s iPhone to be left in their pocket while still allowing NFC unlocking and start.