Tesla May Soon Add Apple Wallet Car Key Support

A teardown of the latest Tesla App (v4.52.0) uncovered code that references Harmony Wallet Key Cards, suggesting forthcoming wallet-based key functionality. The strings point toward integration with Huawei’s HarmonyOS wallet rather than an immediate Apple Wallet launch, though Tesla often introduces features in China first, leaving open the possibility of later Apple and Android native support.

The Discovery

Strings embedded in v4.52.0 explicitly reference a Harmony Wallet Key Card, indicating the app may allow HarmonyOS devices to add a Tesla key card directly into the system-level wallet (Huawei Wallet). This would be a “native” car key implementation, enabling a phone to act as a secure key card via NFC or as a proximity key via Bluetooth/UWB without requiring the Tesla app to run in the background.

Native wallet keys support features such as Tap-to-Unlock and deeper system-level integration. While Tap-to-Unlock is already available natively on some Android devices, it typically works only while the device is powered on. System-level wallet integration can allow key functionality even when an iPhone is powered off, because keys stored in secure elements can function independently of the app state.

Given Huawei’s leading position in China and the recent push for NearLink (Huawei’s ultra-low-latency wireless technology) in vehicles such as the Huawei/Seres AITO M9, focusing on Harmony Wallet first aligns with Tesla’s priorities in its largest overseas market.

Following the Trend

The timing is notable compared with competitors in North America. This month, Rivian released its 2025 Holiday Update (2025.46), which added native digital key support for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.

Rivian’s implementation follows the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) standard, offering advantages over app-based Bluetooth keys: keys can remain usable for up to five hours after a phone’s battery dies, can be securely shared via iMessage, WhatsApp, and AirDrop, and provide native watch support without a bespoke watch app.

The Want for Apple & Google

Many Tesla owners have long requested native Apple and Google Wallet keys. Tesla’s proprietary Phone Key generally works but depends on the Tesla app running in the background and can be affected when the phone’s OS kills background processes to save battery.

A native wallet key is considered the gold standard for digital vehicle access because it resides in a phone’s secure element and functions regardless of the app’s state.

The presence of Harmony Wallet code confirms Tesla has the capability and willingness to build system-level wallet integrations. Whether this represents a China-only initiative or the first step toward Apple and Google Wallet support globally remains to be seen.