Press kit

A car app you'll love not opening.

BetterKey handles the car tasks you forget or repeat. It brings vehicle automation to the car you have, across iPhone and Apple Watch. BetterKey can remember where you parked and secure the vehicle after you leave.

When you walk back, it can put an Unlock on your Lock Screen and Apple Watch so you do not have to dig out your phone.

Lock and unlock from iPhone or Apple Watch, find your car and get directions in Apple Maps or Google Maps, and ask Siri to lock, unlock, or find your car. Build personal routines with Apple Shortcuts on iPhone.

Email hello@betterkey.xyz Download assets

At a glance

Fast facts

Name	BetterKey
Publisher	C&M Labs LLC
Category	Utilities
Platforms	iPhone with iOS 18 or later; Apple Watch with watchOS 11 or later
Price	$4.99 per month for one car; $9.99 per month for two cars; one Free Week included
Launch date	November 2, 2025
Latest version	1.27.0
App Store	apps.apple.com/us/app/betterkey/id6745559471
Website	betterkey.xyz
Contact	hello@betterkey.xyz

Feature index

Passive automations

Park Location

Uses iPhone motion and location signals to remember where the car was parked and make the spot available in Find My Car.

Lock on Depart

Sends a lock command after BetterKey confirms the car is parked, the engine is off, and the driver has walked away.

Prompt to Unlock

Offers one-tap Unlock on the Lock Screen and Apple Watch when the driver approaches. It never unlocks without a tap.

Open Window Alert

Compares the latest reported window state with the forecast when BetterKey opens and warns when precipitation is expected.

Controls and context

Activity

Keeps a seven-day, on-device record of notifications, successful Cars-screen commands, and automation updates.

Apple Watch

Shows connected vehicles and provides lock, unlock, status, and Find My Car controls from the wrist.

Siri and Shortcuts

Adds spoken lock, unlock, and find commands plus App Intents for personal Apple Shortcuts automations.

Live Activities

Shows Lock on Depart progress and Prompt to Unlock actions on the iPhone Lock Screen.

Compatibility

Supported vehicles

BetterKey's current compatibility data includes supported models from these manufacturers in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Support varies by model, year, region, connected-services plan, and available vehicle capabilities. Check a specific car on the compatibility page.

United States

Toyota
Ford
Chevrolet
Nissan
Hyundai
Kia
Subaru
Mazda
Volkswagen
Tesla
BMW
Mercedes-Benz
Audi
Lexus
Volvo
Porsche
GMC
Ram
Jeep
Dodge
Chrysler
Cadillac
Buick
Lincoln
Infiniti
Land Rover
MINI
Jaguar
Polestar

Canada

Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Hyundai
Jaguar
Jeep
Kia
Lexus
RAM
Tesla
Toyota

Europe

BYD
Fiat
Ford
Hyundai
Jaguar
Jeep
Kia
Land Rover
MG
Nissan
Polestar
Porsche
Tesla
Volvo

Privacy stance

Precise location coordinates used for proximity features stay on the device and are not stored by the company.

BetterKey stores the account and vehicle records needed to run the service, along with encrypted vehicle-authorization tokens. Notification identifiers, delivery metadata, and limited usage data may also be processed to operate and improve the service. BetterKey does not sell or share personal information.

Full details are in the Privacy Policy and security overview.

Founder and company

Russell Stephens

Russell Stephens is the founder of BetterKey, where he’s building thoughtful, reliable software that makes cars easier to live with.

Previously, he led developer experience across mobile and embedded insulin-pump software at Tandem Diabetes Care, served as a staff engineer and engineering manager at Bitrise, and spent six years at Compass as the company grew from Series C through its IPO.

A seasoned mobile engineer and product-minded leader, Russell brings deep technical expertise, a focus on simplicity and trust, and an operator’s persistence to building BetterKey.