Volkswagen Launches Smartwatch-Based Vehicle Controls

Volkswagen of America has announced a new smartwatch integration for the myVW app, allowing owners to control key vehicle functions directly from their wrists. The new feature supports both watchOS and Wear OS, giving users quick access to essential car capabilities without needing to pull out their phones.

The feature is available for most 2020 and newer models — both gas-powered and electric — as long as the vehicle is connected through an eligible plan. To enable smartwatch controls, owners must activate the myVW+ service through the mobile app and choose one of the available plans: Remote Access, Safe & Secure, or VW Vehicle Insights.

With a smartwatch, users can perform basic actions such as locking and unlocking doors, triggering the horn and lights, and checking vehicle and lock status. For internal-combustion models, remote start and stop (when equipped) and fuel-level monitoring are also supported. EV owners can manage remote charging, track charging status, and turn climate control on or off (when the vehicle supports the function).

According to Volkswagen, the number of myVW users has been growing since launch, particularly among EV owners who rely on digital tools to monitor charging and plan trips. Expanding support to smartwatches is described as a natural next step in developing the company’s connected-car ecosystem.

The technology doesn’t require any additional hardware — everything operates through the car’s existing connectivity channels and Volkswagen’s cloud services. The company says data security is ensured through multi-layer authentication and encrypted communication between the watch, the smartphone, and the vehicle.