Code spotted in the third developer beta of iOS 27 suggests that Apple is preparing to add car key support for Lucid and Xiaomi vehicles, and that the feature could be close to launch.
The code refers to the identifiers “LCID” and “XIA1”, which appear to correspond to Lucid and Xiaomi respectively. With an Apple Car Key, drivers can use their iPhone or Apple Watch to lock, unlock and start a compatible vehicle instead of relying on a traditional key fob.
Lucid Motors was already named as one of 13 brands Apple said would “soon” get car key support at WWDC 2025, alongside Acura, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Porsche, Rivian, Smart, Tata Motors, Hongqi, WEY, Chery and Voyah. Apple has not yet given a timeline for this rollout, and Lucid has not yet officially confirmed when the feature will arrive on its Air or Gravity models.
The inclusion of Xiaomi would be new. The Chinese electronics maker has been rapidly expanding into electric vehicles with models like the SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV, and support for car keys would mark one of the company’s first ties to Apple’s ecosystem, although Xiaomi is a major rival to Apple in the smartphone market.
This isn’t the first time beta code has hinted at car key support before an official announcement. Woozad Previously found code pointing to Volkswagen adding Apple Wallet car keys to future vehicles, and similar back-end references preceded confirmation of support for General Motors brands. As in these cases, the code does not confirm which specific models will be compatible or give an exact date, although its presence in a live beta suggests that support from Lucid and Xiaomi could arrive relatively soon.
