Volkswagen has expanded digital โฃkeyโ functionality to Apple โฃWatch and select Android smartwatches, allowing owners to โlock, unlock, and start compatible vehicles using their wrist. The rollout, announced November 20, โข2025, marks โa meaningful step toward keyless convenience and broaderโ integration of โฃwearable โtechnology into the automotive experience.
Theโข expansion addresses growing consumer demand for seamless โaccess to vehicles and eliminates the need to carry a physical key or smartphone for certain functions.โ Initially available on select ID. family models in Europe, the digitalโค key featureโข is now compatible with the Apple โคWatch โฃSeries 7โค and later, and also Android smartwatches running wear OS 3.0 or higher. Thisโ development impacts millions of Volkswagen โขownersโ globally,offering a more convenient and โsecure alternative toโ customary keys,and signals a broader industry trend toward digital access solutions.
Volkswagen first introduced โdigital key technology via smartphones in 2020, utilizing Near Field Communication (NFC) and โUltra-Wideband (UWB) โtechnologyโข for secure vehicle access.The new smartwatch integration builds upon thisโ foundation, leveraging Bluetooth Low โEnergyโค (BLE) for communicationโ between the watchโฃ and the โฃvehicle.
To activate the digital key on their smartwatch, Volkswagen owners must first set up theโค feature through the Volkswagen Car-Net app and โcomplete โคa pairing โprocess. The key can be transferredโค to up to โคfive โauthorized โฃusers, providing versatility for family members or trusted individuals. Security is maintained throughโค encrypted communication protocols and the ability toโฃ remotely revoke keyโข access.
Currently,the feature supports vehicle locking,unlocking,and starting. Volkswagen hasโค indicated plans to expand functionality โin future updates, possibly including โฃremote climate control and personalized vehicle settings accessible throughโข theโฃ smartwatch interface. The company’s move positions it as a leader in โฃautomotive digital โคkey technology, competing with similar initiatives from other automakers.