I’ve been wondering the same thing. It might sound a little silly, but after owning a Tesla, carrying a physical key feels completely unnecessary. About a year ago, the Hummer EV concierge mentioned that this feature would roll out for 2022 and newer models by the end of the year. Well, it’s been over a year since that statement, and there’s still no sign of it. At this point, I’ve mostly given up on expecting GM to deliver software updates across all the trucks. It seems like only vehicles with 5G connectivity are receiving them, so I’m not very optimistic that we’ll all get this feature if and when it arrives.

 

My guess, GM decision making is controlled by a 1970’s legal/compliance department. I’m shocked that WTF mode maded it thru the review process. They will never compete with Rivian, Tesla, Apple, and the Chinese EV companies if they don’t make wholesale changes to this group’s power.

 

Don't forget Ford, Kia, Volvo, Hyundai and others also have phone as key and that they announced Hummers would be the first GM vehicle with digital key back in 2020...it's even in the manuals for 2022s. But yeah I'm not holding my breath!

 

2026 MY Silverado and Sierra EV are getting phone key. What's the likelyhood of 22-26 hummers getting the update?

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/09/heres-when-the-2026-chevy-silverado-ev-gmc-sierra-ev-digital-key-will-be-activated/?_gl=1*1ssaleo*_ga*YW1wLV9HdTN1anozLXZIVm5Tb0RFSU1GN3VZdVJVaC1DbUg2Q1QxcTBkRTNmcWRNbndLbmxpZWRLbDZwbktaSFhvUkg.#commentform

Those models likely have a backup key card, Hummer does not have a backup card reader, nor a keypad backup. For example, my Ford has a keypad to get in and to start the car and my Rivian has a keycard to hold by the door handle as a backup.

 

Tesla has key cards too, you don't need to hold it by the door, just keep it in your wallet.

 

I find that hard to believe. GM has tons of smart engineers and product managers. I'm a Jeep owner, and GM has clearly, IMHO, followed Jeep's lead regarding features. For example, automatic windows down but not up. I would guess that the HEV's small mirrors are influence by Jeep, even though the HEV can tow a TONS more than my Jeep 392.

GM also said the HEV would have a phone key back in 2020 and included instructions in the 2022 manual. Where are all of the class action lawyers filing class actions suits. This seems like a no brainer. Traditionally, I hate class action lawyers, but in this case...where GM claimed the function, documented it in their manual, and failed to deliver it seems like a no brainer win.

 

I wouldn't hold your breath on the 21-25s getting this due to hardware and software limitations on the older platform. The new Sierra and Silverado EVs have the newer GM infotainment system as do the 26 hummers so they are all likely "sharing" newer hardware and software where this feature was designed in to begin with. Its probably less about the software and more about the hardware required and GM hasn't really changed anything since 2021, until the 2026 models came out. Id also suspect that the 2026 hummers wont support it either as those are still coming with start buttons whereas the Sierras do not.

 

Wrong about the start button:

 

I don't have it on my 2026 HEV Max truck so no idea why people are talking about it for prior years. IMHO, the 2026 dashboard and center screen configurability has lost functionality. IMHO, again, GM has taken their biggest weakness relative to Tesla and Rivian and made it worse. Tesla, Rivian, etc have figure out that software upgrades are an easy way to fix customer complaints. GM, on the other hand, and IMHO, seems to think that reducing functionality is the way to improve sales. My father worked for GM dealerships, as a service manager, for more than 50 years. If I could make one recommendation to GM, remove all of the engine-oriented engineering management and product management from any and all decision processes related to EVs. Again, iMHO, these people are an anchor on GMs future success.

 

There is a 0.0000000000000001% that they honor their promise of adding PAAK to the earlier models.

 

it says "IF equipped" that is the beginning and the end of the argument. none of our cars were equipped when we bought them, so the "IF" says we should expect nothing because ours are not equipped with the feature.