GM Rolls Out Digital Keys to 9 Models via Apple, Google and Samsung Wallets

Q: With physical fobs becoming obsolete, what happens to your new Cadillac if your smartphone battery dies while you are stranded?

A dead phone should not leave you locked out of a new Cadillac, because GM’s digital key system includes backups. Apple Wallet and other CCC-based digital car keys generally keep working for a limited period even after the phone battery is depleted, using the device’s reserve power and NFC. In practice, that means you can usually still tap the phone to unlock and start the vehicle for several hours after the phone appears dead, even if hands-free passive entry no longer works. GM also does not eliminate the physical backup. Setup requires the physical key fob to be present, and GM’s own guidance says owners should keep an alternative means of access available. Cadillac materials also reference a backup key card on equipped vehicles, while the physical fob is still needed in some situations, including service visits. If your phone is lost or stolen, OnStar can deactivate the digital key. The practical risk is not that the car becomes unusable the moment your phone dies, but that owners may rely too heavily on a single device. Reserve-power NFC is a safety net, not a guarantee against every scenario such as a damaged phone, wallet software failure, or a lost handset. The safest approach is simple: treat the smartphone as the primary convenience key, not the only key. Keep the fob with you or nearby, confirm whether your Cadillac includes a backup key card, and test the NFC fallback before depending on the digital key alone.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Autos · Oct 19

GM will start enabling phone-based car keys on select Cadillac EVs in September 2026, then expand the feature to full-size Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC SUVs in December.
UWB and Bluetooth Low Energy let compatible phones and watches unlock, lock and start vehicles automatically, with some models also supporting trunk access, climate controls and shared keys.
The first wave covers Cadillac Lyriq, Optiq and Vistiq model years through 2027; December adds Escalade variants, Celestiq, Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL.
Setup requires the GM app, an active OnStar connection and the physical key fob for initial pairing, while device support is limited to eligible newer Apple, Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy hardware.
GM said owners should watch the "What's New" section of the GM app for activation notices, and more vehicles are expected to gain support over time.