GM Recruits EV Owners to Test a Feature That Should Be Standard
▼ Summary
– GM has begun a beta test of its new Digital Key feature, inviting select Cadillac EV owners to enroll and receive an over-the-air update.
– The feature allows users to lock, unlock, and drive their vehicle directly from a compatible smartphone or smartwatch.
– The beta is initially for 2026 Cadillac Optiq and Lyriq owners, but the feature is intended for properly equipped 2025 or newer GM vehicles.
– Using the Digital Key requires a recent Apple or Google device model and an active OnStar service plan.
– GM is notably late in offering this technology, as many other automakers have had digital keys for years, which could impact its competitive standing.
For many drivers, the convenience of a digital key has become an essential part of the modern vehicle experience, transforming how we interact with our cars. General Motors is now taking a significant step by launching an exclusive beta program, inviting select Cadillac electric vehicle owners to test its new digital key feature. This move signals GM’s entry into a space where competitors have operated for years, aiming to integrate this technology across its future lineup.
The concept of using a smartphone as a car key isn’t new. Tesla pioneered the feature with its Model 3 back in 2017, setting a standard that many other brands have since adopted. GM, however, has been slower to implement this technology, a delay that has become increasingly noticeable as digital access becomes commonplace. The current beta test focuses on owners of the 2026 Cadillac Optiq and Lyriq models, though official documentation notes the capability is intended for properly equipped 2025 model year and newer GM vehicles.
Participants in the program will receive an over-the-air software update that enables the digital key function. This allows them to lock, unlock, and start their vehicles directly from a compatible smartphone or smartwatch. The requirement reflects our collective reliance on these devices, making the physical key fob feel like an unnecessary accessory. To use the feature, owners need a relatively recent device, an iPhone 11 or Apple Watch Series 6 (or newer) or a Google Pixel 6 Pro/6 XL (or newer), along with an active OnStar service subscription.
GM is providing tailored support resources to those who enroll in the test, ensuring they have guidance specific to their vehicle. This careful rollout follows Apple’s announcement in June that several automakers, including GM’s Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac brands, would soon integrate digital keys into Apple Wallet. While the initiative is starting with Cadillac’s electric models, the expectation is for a broader deployment across Chevrolet and GMC vehicles in the near future.
The broader context highlights how late GM is to this particular game. In an automotive landscape where digital keys are offered by nearly every major manufacturer, from Tesla and BMW to Ford, Hyundai, and Rivian, GM’s absence has been conspicuous. Typically, the lack of such a feature is reserved for older models or base-trim vehicles, not premium brands like Cadillac. Although GM began including a physical key card with the 2025 Lyriq, the digital equivalent’s widespread availability remains pending.
As beta testing progresses, the industry watches to see how quickly GM can close this technology gap. The company positions Cadillac as a leader in the U.S. luxury EV market, but maintaining that status requires keeping pace with the continuous software and tech advancements from rivals like Tesla and Rivian. The success of this digital key rollout could be a telling indicator of GM’s commitment to competing in the modern, software-defined vehicle era.
(Source: Electrek)
