Since 2014 Apple Pay Apple Pay has been gaining ground among mobile payment apps, and is now the preferred choice for millions of users. In addition to the security and trust that Apple Pay provides, it has also been diversifying its functionalities and even today Digital keys can be stored in Apple WalletToday we told you all about the news about how Apple Pay could put digital keys on rental cars and when this new feature could arrive.
It is a tool in which you can Store and manage boarding credit cards, loyalty cards and tickets digitally. Although every day you will be able to enjoy new options to exploit its full potential and this is precisely one of the most interesting ones for us. Without a doubt, the new function will significantly simplify the interactions of users with their own and rental cars.
Apple Pay could expand digital keys to rental cars
There is no doubt that Apple's Apple Pay app It is an excellent tool for Apple users. The company's developers have been considering for some time what other applications they could add to the company to further diversify its functionalities.
Following this line, a function was developed since 2020 that allows Apple Pay Keep a digital copy of your vehicle keys in it. To do this, they use a Digital Key implementation, which makes use of NFC technology. Today, more and more car manufacturers are implementing compatibility with this function so that their vehicles can be integrated with the Wallet.
A function that takes off
It's really not entirely new to use Wallet apps to store digital keys for rental cars, In fact, some hotel chains have flaunted the functionality, implementing it for gain access to a room or certain services and hotel sites to which the client has access.
Beyond being used for rental cars, very ingenious by the way, It can be implemented even in public transport.
Being able to reserve a rental car, confirm your authentication and identity… You can imagine that a car rental company is going to issue you a digital key, and that key could be used to unlock and operate a car.
It will be a long-term process, like the one we did with Apple Pay. It will help states understand that our approach protects privacy and is highly secure, that we do not have the data and that we do not maintain any association with the place where you present your identification.
Words from Jennifer Bailey, Head of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.
How to add car key to Apple Wallet?
It's entirely possible to add a rental car key to Wallet on your iPhone or even your Apple Watch.
To do this, it is necessary to take into account some essential requirements:
- Have a compatible car, remember that if you want to use this feature, when renting a car You must request that it be compatible with said technology store.
- Your iPhone must be a model higher than iPhone XS or also an iPhone SE with the latest iOS update. If you want to use it on your Apple Watch, make sure it is an Apple Watch Series 5 or any of the later versions.
- Login to your mobile with your Apple ID.
Once you have verified that all the requirements are met, Do the following:
- The car must be associated with the account provided by the manufacturer.
- Open the application, the manufacturer's email or text message from the car and then follow the instructions for setting up the key.
- As soon as the application opens Apple Wallet tap Continue.
- If prompted, place your iPhone on the key reader until the car and phone are paired.
- It is likely that the key is immediately associated with the Apple Watch linked to the iPhone, if this does not happen, then do it manually.
How to use car key on your iPhone?
Once you have set all this up correctly, then you are good to go. You can start using the key to open, close or start the car.However, these specific methods vary depending on the model of car you rent. You will need to check with the company you rent the car from on how to use the key for that particular model.
As soon as you add the car key to your mobile, express mode will be automatically activated. With this, it will be possible to use the car key without having to unlock the terminal or even authenticate with Face ID Touch ID or the code.
Share your car key with other people
When renting a rental car, depending on the model of the vehicle, you can even share the car key. Of course, it is not yet known whether this feature will also be available for rental cars, although it would be a good idea. This way, when you go on a trip, you can share the car key and other people can use it.
¿Cómo hacerlo?
- On your iPhone Open Apple Wallet, then select your car key.
- Once selected, choose the Share option, if this option is not available then make sure your device is updated to the latest version of iOS.
- Select from the available options the one through which you want to share the car key.
- Assign a name for your car key and also set times for sharing. For added security you can even request an activation code.
- Select the recipient and tap Continue.
- You will need to authenticate using Face ID, and then follow the set of instructions that will be shown to you on the screen.
- Possible that you must send an activation code In order for the other user to be able to use the vehicle, you must share it and it will be for single use.
And that's all for today! Let us know in the comments what you think about news that Apple Pay could bring digital keys to rental cars.Do you think this is an interesting proposal?