A recent teardown of the Tesla app suggests the company may be moving closer to supporting native digital car keys, a feature that would allow drivers to unlock and start their vehicle using Apple Wallet instead of relying solely on the Tesla app.
Code discovered in Tesla app version 4.52.0 references something called a “Harmony Wallet Key Card,” notes Not a Tesla App (via Tesla North). While this appears to be aimed at China and Huawei’s HarmonyOS ecosystem, it signals that Tesla is actively working on system-level wallet keys rather than app-based access.
Native wallet keys differ from Tesla’s current Phone Key system. Instead of requiring the Tesla app to run in the background (via Bluetooth), a wallet-based key lives directly in the phone’s secure hardware. This enables faster unlocking, better reliability, and features like tap-to-unlock using NFC. Essentially, your iPhone could act just like your Tesla keycard, meaning you would not need to carry the card as a backup.
For Apple users, this type of system would align with Apple Car Key, which allows vehicles to be unlocked and started using Apple Wallet, even when the iPhone battery is nearly dead or the phone is powered off. Tesla does not currently support Apple Wallet or Apple Car Key.
Although the Harmony Wallet reference points to China first, Tesla has a history of rolling out new vehicle and software features in the Chinese market before expanding them globally. That makes the discovery notable for Tesla owners outside China, especially those who have long asked for Apple Wallet support.
The timing also stands out because competitors are moving faster in this area.
Earlier this month, Rivian added native Apple Wallet and Google Wallet support using the Car Connectivity Consortium standard, which allows secure key sharing and works without a dedicated app running.
Tesla’s current Phone Key generally works well, but it can fail if the app is paused or stopped by the phone’s operating system. A native Apple Wallet key would avoid that problem entirely by operating at the system level.
To use Apple Car Key, you need a compatible vehicle, plus an iPhone XS or newer (or iPhone SE 2nd gen) running the latest iOS, or an Apple Watch Series 5 or newer running the latest watchOS.
Apple Car Key in Apple Wallet is currently supported by a growing number of automakers, including Audi, BMW, BYD, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Lotus, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Rivian, Volvo, and RAM, with support typically limited to specific newer models and trims rather than entire lineups. Apple has also said more brands are on the way, with future support planned for automakers such as Acura, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Porsche, Lucid, and others
For now, Tesla has not announced plans to support Apple Car Key. Still, the presence of wallet key code in the app suggests the company is laying the groundwork. Whether this remains a China-only feature or expands to Apple Wallet and Android Wallet globally remains to be seen.
We’ve previously heard rumours of Tesla possibly supporting CarPlay, which would be seen as a move to entice more buyers, as CarPlay is a requirement of many car buyers.
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