Tesla is preparing to allow vehicle owners to use native digital keys stored directly within a smartphone’s operating system, potentially including Apple Car Keys. Evidence of this shift appeared in the code of the Tesla mobile app, version 4.52.0. The code specifically references "Harmony Wallet Key Cards."
This suggests initial implementation targets Huawei’s HarmonyOS, a popular system in the major Chinese market. This change moves beyond the current "Phone Key" system, which operates via Bluetooth and requires the Tesla app to remain active.
Native wallet keys are stored in the phone's secure hardware. This makes them more reliable and easier to access, eliminating dependency on the active app. This development represents a significant step toward broader, more seamless mobile device integration for Tesla vehicles.