GM, via the Cadillac brand, has begun inviting a limited group of Lyriq and Optiq owners to a beta program for the long‑anticipated Digital Key. According to owners, the first wave prioritized customers who have already taken delivery of 2026‑model‑year Lyriq or Optiq crossovers. It’s a meaningful step for the marque: phone‑as‑key is now expected in the premium space, and Cadillac looks intent on matching those expectations.

The Digital Key will arrive through an over‑the‑air update and will turn a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch into the vehicle’s primary key. The core scenario is straightforward: lock, unlock, and start the car without a physical fob. For passive entry, the key is recognized when the smartphone is roughly two meters from the door, so there’s no need to fish the device out of a pocket—the credential sits in the device’s digital wallet. That approach should keep daily use seamless.

Beyond entry and ignition, features available through Wallet within Bluetooth range include remote start for pre‑heating or cooling the cabin and control of the liftgate. Another strong point is access sharing: the owner can securely grant a digital key to up to three other people directly from Wallet, in a flow similar to sending a file. The three‑person cap feels conservative, but it will likely cover most real‑world needs.

There’s also a fallback for emergencies: a physical key card, included with Lyriq starting in 2025, can help if the phone is lost or has run out of charge. Owners note that participation in the beta is tied to specific VINs, comes with limits on compatible devices, and requires having that key card—a cautious but sensible safeguard when a phone replaces the traditional key.