Apple releases iOS 13.6 with digital car keys and new health features

Apple has released version 13.6 update for compatible iOS and iPadOS devices. This update focuses on the new digital car keys feature and improvements to the Health app.

With 13.6, your iPhone can now act as keys for compatible cars. This feature was demoed during the WWDC 2020 keynote but in case you missed that, it allows you to place your phone next to your car door to lock or unlock it using NFC. The phone can then also be used to start the car.

The digital key is securely stored on the device but can be remotely deleted via iCloud in case the device is lost. You can also share a digital key via iMessage, allowing someone else to operate your car. Driver profiles can be customized so the shared keys can have restricted driving access or full access.

Finally, the Power Reserve feature allows your iPhone to be used as a key for your car for up to five hours after the phone's battery has died.

Next are some changes to the Health app. The app now features new category of symptoms, including symptoms logged from Cycle Tracking and ECG. You can now also log new symptoms, such as fever, chills, sore throat or coughing, and share them with third-party apps such as those used by governments for contact tracing.

Finally, you can now choose to not just have your iPhone automatically download the latest iOS update but also automatically install it overnight while the phone is charging. This means the update process can be completely seamless and your phone would be on a new build automatically when you wake up.

Apple also released iOS 12.4.8 for older iPhones that don't support iOS 13. This update only includes security patches.

Apple also released watchOS 6.2.8, tvOS 13.4.8, HomePod OS 13.4.8, and macOS Catalina 10.15.6. All updates are now available to download on compatible devices.