General Motors has started adding Apple Wallet digital car-key support to selected Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles, beginning with a September–October 2026 release. The first wave covers specific Cadillac Vistiq, Optiq and Lyriq model years, while several full-size SUVs are scheduled to follow in December.
Eligible owners will see an availability alert in the “What’s New” section of GM’s vehicle mobile app. The rollout began as first reported by 9to5Mac.
Cadillac models arrive first, followed by GM’s large SUVs
The initial September–October group includes the 2027 Cadillac Vistiq, 2026–2027 Cadillac Optiq and 2025–2027 Cadillac Lyriq. December coverage is set to include the 2027 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade IQ/IQL, plus the 2026–2027 Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL.
- Cadillac Vistiq: 2027 model year
- Cadillac Optiq: 2026 and 2027 model years
- Cadillac Lyriq: 2025 through 2027 model years
- Escalade, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Yukon XL: specified 2026 or 2027 versions
Apple Wallet keys let a supported iPhone or Apple Watch unlock and lock the vehicle, open its trunk and control climate functions. The system relies on ultra-wideband and Bluetooth for proximity-based authentication. Setup still requires GM’s vehicle app, an OnStar-connected vehicle and the physical key fob.
The model-year limits matter for owners
This is a practical expansion for drivers who already use an iPhone or Apple Watch and want phone-based access without carrying a fob for every trip. GM has tied availability to particular model years across several vehicle generations, so a vehicle sharing the same name does not necessarily qualify. Buyers and current owners will need to check their exact year before expecting the feature.
GM also plans to support Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet, and Samsung’s related announcement names the United States and Canada as markets. GM has not provided exact release dates for every listed vehicle, confirmed which trims or markets receive every function, or published complete compatibility requirements for the Google and Samsung versions.
This article was produced with AI assistance from multi-source reporting and is published under our editorial standards.
