Apple Car Key code hints at support for Lincoln, Freelander, and Lucid

Apple may be preparing to expand Car Key support to Lincoln, Freelander, and Lucid. Aaron Perris spotted the three automakers in Apple’s backend code, but the discovery does not include a release date, compatible vehicle list, or confirmation from Apple.

It is also not a first-time support announcement for every brand. Apple’s current public vehicle list already shows Car Key support for certain Lincoln and Lucid models, while Freelander does not appear on the list. The code may point to additional models, markets, or a staged rollout.

What the code discovery shows

The names appeared in a September 15 post from Aaron Perris. Similar backend references have preceded other Car Key additions, but code alone cannot tell us when a feature will launch or which vehicles will support it.

The discovery follows earlier references to GWM Tank and Haval. Our previous report on Volkswagen’s planned Apple Wallet car key support explains why these backend findings can be useful clues while still falling short of an announcement.

Apple’s public compatibility list currently marks selected Lincoln vehicles and Lucid entries as supporting car keys. Freelander is not listed there. That leaves several possibilities: Apple could be preparing more models from an already supported brand, adding support in another market, or getting the backend ready before an official rollout.

How Apple Car Key works

Car Key lives in the Wallet app. With a compatible vehicle, an iPhone or Apple Watch can lock, unlock, and start the car. Depending on the automaker and model, it can also support passive entry, remote locking, trunk controls, or sharing a key with another person.

Apple says setup usually begins in the automaker’s app, an email, or the vehicle’s display. After the key is added to Wallet, Express Mode may let you use it without opening the app or authenticating every time. The exact behavior depends on the vehicle.

Apple Support lists an iPhone XS or later, or an iPhone SE (2nd generation) or later, and a compatible Apple Watch as the usual device requirements. The phone and watch need to be signed in to the Apple Account associated with the key. Apple also says some functions vary by region and manufacturer, so a supported brand does not automatically mean every trim supports every feature.

When could the new support arrive?

There is no confirmed launch date for Lincoln, Freelander, or Lucid based on this code discovery. Apple and the automakers would still need to announce supported vehicles and make the feature available through software, vehicle systems, or an automaker app.

For now, owners should check Apple’s available vehicle list and the automaker’s instructions rather than assuming a particular car will work. The backend references are a sign that more Car Key support may be on the way, not a promise that it is ready to use.

For a broader look at Apple’s Wallet updates, see our guide to new iOS 26 Wallet app features.