GM Digital Key is rolling out across selected Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles, allowing owners to use a compatible iPhone, Apple Watch, Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy device in place of a conventional key fob. Once added to Apple Wallet, Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet, the digital car key can unlock the vehicle as you approach, lock it as you walk away, authorize vehicle starting and provide access to selected remote controls.
Your Phone or Watch Can Now Become Your GM Car Key
GM's new wallet-based digital key uses ultra-wideband and Bluetooth technology to provide passive entry, starting, key sharing and selected vehicle controls across a growing list of Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC models.
What Is GM Digital Key?
The GM digital car key is an electronic version of the vehicle's physical key stored in a compatible device's digital wallet.
Instead of carrying the key fob in a pocket, the owner can carry a compatible smartphone or smartwatch.
The vehicle detects the device when it is nearby and can authenticate it as an authorized key.
GM's implementation is built around the Car Connectivity Consortium's Digital Key standard, which is intended to improve interoperability between vehicles and consumer devices.
What Can GM Digital Key Do?
| Function | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Passive Unlock | The vehicle can automatically unlock as an authorized device approaches. |
| Walk-Away Lock | The vehicle can lock as the authorized device moves away. |
| Vehicle Start | The compatible device acts as an authenticated vehicle key. |
| Trunk Access | Selected vehicle controls can include opening the trunk from the digital wallet. |
| Climate Controls | Supported climate functions can be accessed before entering the vehicle. |
| Digital Key Sharing | The owner can share access with up to seven additional devices. |
GM Digital Key Supported Vehicles
The rollout is happening in phases rather than appearing on every GM vehicle at the same time.
September–October 2026 Rollout
| Brand | Model | Model Years |
|---|---|---|
| Cadillac | LYRIQ | 2025–2027 |
| Cadillac | OPTIQ | 2026–2027 |
| Cadillac | VISTIQ | 2027 |
December 2026 Expansion
| Brand | Model | Model Years |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | Tahoe | 2026–2027 |
| Chevrolet | Suburban | 2026–2027 |
| GMC | Yukon | 2026–2027 |
| GMC | Yukon XL | 2026–2027 |
| Cadillac | Escalade | 2027 |
| Cadillac | Escalade IQ / IQL | 2027 |
| Cadillac | CELESTIQ | 2027 |
Chevrolet Digital Key: Tahoe and Suburban Join in December
The first major Chevrolet Digital Key expansion is especially relevant because it brings the feature beyond premium electric vehicles.
Eligible 2026–2027 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban models are scheduled to gain support beginning in December 2026.
That means the wallet-based key system is moving into mainstream full-size SUVs rather than remaining exclusive to Cadillac EVs.
GMC Digital Key: Yukon and Yukon XL
Eligible 2026–2027 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles are also part of the December rollout.
For families and owners who regularly share a large SUV, the ability to share a digital key with another compatible device could be particularly useful.
Cadillac Digital Key Gets the Broadest Early Rollout
Cadillac is the first GM brand to receive the widest range of supported models.
The phased rollout includes LYRIQ, OPTIQ and VISTIQ first, followed by 2027 Escalade, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL and CELESTIQ later in the year.
Which iPhones Work With GM Digital Key?
GM lists compatible ultra-wideband Apple devices beginning with:
- iPhone 11 or newer
- Apple Watch Series 6 or newer
- Apple Watch Ultra, first generation or newer
The key is stored in Apple Wallet.
Apple's digital car-key system can support passive entry on compatible vehicles, allowing the car to recognize the device as the owner approaches.
Which Google Pixel Phones Work?
GM currently lists the following compatible Google Pixel devices:
- Pixel 6 Pro
- Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel 8 Pro
- Pixel 9 Pro
- Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold
- Pixel 10 Pro
- Pixel 10 Pro XL
- Pixel 10 Pro Fold
On compatible Android devices, the Google Wallet digital key can be used to lock, unlock and start supported vehicles.
Which Samsung Galaxy Phones Work?
GM lists compatible Samsung devices including:
- Galaxy S21+ 5G or newer compatible models
- Galaxy Note20 or newer compatible models
- Galaxy Z Fold family
- Galaxy Z TriFold family
Compatible Samsung devices store the vehicle key in Samsung Wallet.
How Does GM Digital Key Work?
Ultra-Wideband
Bluetooth
Ultra-wideband is particularly important because it can determine proximity more precisely than a simple Bluetooth connection.
GM uses that proximity data as part of encrypted authentication between the supported vehicle and the authorized device.
How to Set Up GM Digital Key
Use the appropriate Chevrolet, GMC or Cadillac mobile app associated with the vehicle.
The vehicle must support GM Digital Key and be connected as required for setup.
GM requires the physical key during the initial pairing process.
The vehicle app will guide the owner through pairing the vehicle to the compatible device.
Depending on the device, the GM Digital Key is stored in Apple Wallet, Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet.
Once paired, ultra-wideband and Bluetooth provide supported everyday vehicle access and controls.
Can You Share a GM Digital Key?
Yes. GM says the account owner can securely share a digital key with up to seven additional devices.
Depending on the platform, sharing can take place through services such as:
- AirDrop
- Messages
- Other supported sharing methods
This could be useful for spouses, family members or other trusted drivers who regularly use the same vehicle.
Is GM Digital Key Secure?
GM says its system uses encrypted authentication based on ultra-wideband technology.
The key itself is stored inside the secure digital-wallet environment already used by Apple, Google or Samsung for sensitive credentials such as payment cards.
GM's implementation is also based on the Car Connectivity Consortium Digital Key standard.
What Happens If Your Phone Is Lost or Stolen?
Losing a phone does not mean the owner permanently loses control of the vehicle.
The primary account owner can remove digital-key access through the vehicle or digital wallet.
GM also says owners can contact OnStar to have a digital key deactivated if a device is lost or stolen.
Can the Car Unlock Automatically?
Yes, on compatible GM vehicles and devices.
The system can recognize the authorized device as it approaches and unlock the doors automatically.
The vehicle can then lock again when the device moves away.
This is known as passive entry and is one of the biggest differences between a full UWB-based digital key and a simple remote-control smartphone app.
GM Digital Key vs Smartphone Vehicle App
| Feature | Digital Key | Traditional Vehicle App |
|---|---|---|
| Acts like physical key | Yes | Usually no |
| Passive vehicle entry | Supported on compatible vehicles | Typically not the same experience |
| Start vehicle | Acts as authenticated key | Remote-start functionality may differ |
| Stored in digital wallet | Yes | No |
| Share with another driver | Supported | Depends on account/app structure |
| Requires opening app every time | No for supported passive-entry functions | Often yes for app commands |
Does GM Digital Key Work If the Phone Battery Dies?
GM's announcement does not provide one universal low-battery behavior for every supported platform and vehicle.
Some wallet-based digital car-key platforms can preserve limited key functionality for a period after a phone shuts down from low battery, but exact behavior depends on the device, wallet and vehicle implementation.
Owners should therefore follow the specific Apple, Google, Samsung and GM instructions for their device and vehicle rather than assume every combination behaves identically.
Why GM Digital Key Matters
Digital keys have existed in premium vehicles for several years, but GM's rollout is notable because it is expanding the technology across multiple brands and into mainstream full-size SUVs.
Moving Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Yukon XL into the ecosystem significantly increases the number of potential buyers who could use wallet-based vehicle access.
The system also supports multiple technology ecosystems instead of tying the feature exclusively to one smartphone manufacturer.
GM Says More Vehicles Are Coming
The current supported-vehicle list is only the beginning.
GM says the rollout will continue across additional vehicles over time.
That means the list of Chevrolet Digital Key, GMC Digital Key and Cadillac Digital Key compatible models should expand beyond the initial 2026–2027 vehicles.
Future Possibilities
GM says ultra-wideband creates a foundation for additional personalized experiences in the future.
One possibility is automatically recognizing which driver is approaching and adjusting vehicle settings before that person gets inside.
Potential personalization could eventually include settings such as seat position, mirrors, climate and other individual preferences as the digital-key system evolves.
DriveSpecLab Verdict
GM Digital Key is more significant than simply moving the lock and unlock buttons from a key fob to a smartphone.
The important change is passive authentication. A properly configured vehicle can recognize an authorized phone or watch as the driver approaches, unlock automatically and allow the vehicle to be driven without requiring the user to launch an app every time.
Support for Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet is equally important because it prevents the system from being useful only to owners inside a single mobile ecosystem.
The phased launch is still relatively limited, but December's expansion to Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Yukon XL should move the technology into a much larger segment of GM's customer base.
For owners, the biggest practical benefits are simple: one less physical item to carry, easier key sharing and tighter integration between the vehicle and the device most people already carry everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GM Digital Key?
GM Digital Key is a wallet-based electronic vehicle key that allows compatible smartphones and smartwatches to lock, unlock and authorize starting of supported GM vehicles.
Which wallets support GM Digital Key?
GM supports Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet on compatible vehicles and devices.
Which Chevrolet vehicles support GM Digital Key?
GM says eligible 2026–2027 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban models are scheduled to join the rollout beginning in December 2026.
Which GMC vehicles support the digital key?
Eligible 2026–2027 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL models are scheduled to receive availability beginning in December 2026.
Which Cadillac models support GM Digital Key?
The rollout includes eligible 2025–2027 LYRIQ, 2026–2027 OPTIQ and 2027 VISTIQ models, followed by 2027 Escalade, Escalade IQ/IQL and CELESTIQ.
Can GM Digital Key automatically unlock the car?
Yes. Compatible devices and vehicles can support passive entry, allowing the vehicle to unlock as the authorized device approaches and lock when it moves away.
Can I share my GM Digital Key?
Yes. GM says the account owner can share the key with up to seven additional compatible devices.
Does GM Digital Key work with iPhone?
Yes. GM lists compatible ultra-wideband Apple devices beginning with iPhone 11 and Apple Watch Series 6, subject to vehicle and software compatibility.
Does GM Digital Key work with Google Pixel?
Yes. GM lists selected UWB-equipped Pixel devices including Pixel 6 Pro and several later Pro and Fold models.
Does GM Digital Key work with Samsung Galaxy?
Yes. Compatible Samsung Galaxy devices can use Samsung Wallet for GM Digital Key, subject to GM's supported-device requirements.
What happens if I lose my phone?
The account owner can remove digital-key access through the vehicle or wallet, and GM says OnStar can deactivate a digital key if the device is lost or stolen.
Official Sources
1. General Motors — GM Digital Key Rollout & Compatibility
GM Digital Key: Supported Vehicles, Devices, Setup & Security
2. Apple Support — Car Key in Apple Wallet
Use Your iPhone or Apple Watch as a Car Key
3. Google Wallet Help — Digital Car Key
Set Up and Use a Digital Car Key in Google Wallet
4. Car Connectivity Consortium — Digital Key Standard
CCC Digital Key Technology and Standard
Editorial note: Digital Key compatibility depends on the exact vehicle, model year, mobile device, wallet, operating-system version, vehicle software and rollout timing. Owners should confirm support through GM and their device manufacturer's latest compatibility information before relying on a phone or watch as their only vehicle key.
