Did You Know You Can Add Your Car Keys to Your Android or iPhone? — Here’s How

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For most, digital car keys will probably never be able to totally replace physical options and it makes perfect sense. There’s something tangible and tactical about carrying a key on your person or in your bag, even if you really only use the fob to gain entry or start it up. Not all cars require you to plug the key into the ignition yet it’s still good to have them right there. But sometimes, when you forget your key at home or when you’ve misplaced it, or you’re traveling with someone else who has the key, it’s useful to have a spare. That’s where digital keys come in handy.

You may not realize this, but with certain vehicle models, you can set up a digital key on your Android or iPhone to unlock the car, start it up, or even open the trunk. You could also install the digital keys on your smartwatch to use in the same way, how cool is that? This can be done right now, today, depending on your vehicle — it’s not a futuristic feature that you may be waiting years to see implemented. Let’s explore how you can get it all set up on your phone.

How Do You Set Up a Digital Key On Your Phone?

The process is different depending on whether you have an Android, or an iPhone, and even with certain devices, like Samsung, there are other ways to make it work too — you can add digital keys to your Samsung Wallet, for instance.

But the first step is pretty much the same across the board. First, you have to make sure your vehicle and model are compatible. Some examples of brands that offer this include Audi, BMW, Genesis, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Ram, Toyota, Volvo, and various others.

Next, you’ll need to figure out the manufacturer-specific instructions based on which model of vehicle you have. That’s because some manufacturers require you to set up the digital key through their exclusive mobile app or service versus a digital wallet directly. You might even need to follow instructions sent to your email in certain cases.

However, once you’ve added and installed the keys you should be able to manage them from right within your mobile wallet on whatever device you’re using.

What Are the Benefits of Digital or Mobile Car Keys?

Believe it or not, digital car keys accessible through a mobile wallet offer a host of extra benefits you’d never get with physical keys. For starters, they tend to be much more secure via the airwaves because they use advanced technology that’s not vulnerable to wireless attacks. In particular, they rely on a combination of Bluetooth, Ultra Wideband (UWB) and NFC technologies to create a secure connection between the vehicle and your device. Now, it’s worth noting here that vulnerabilities and security breaches are not impossible, simply improbable and not common.

But also, you can remotely suspend or revoke digital keys in several ways. If you misplace your watch or phone you can revoke the key and that eliminates someone nefarious from potentially accessing your vehicle — or your other stored keys and payment methods.

Another cool feature is that you can easily share your digital keys with friends and family simply through a text message or normal communications. That allows them to do what you’ve given access for, like getting into the vehicle if you’re not immediately available. You can also revoke access at any time.

Sure, with physical keys, you could always just hand the other person an extra key but then to revoke it you have to physically collect it again. With digital keys, you simply revoke access or stop sharing through the mobile app or service, that’s it. No questions. No arguing. Beep, boop, it’s done.

Digital Keys Make an Excellent Alternative or Backup

Even if you don’t plan to use a mobile or digital key as your primary source of access they make great backups. You can carry a single key or fob with you when you leave the house and your spouse, other family members, or friends can rely on digital keys, especially those you share temporarily. That makes it easier to shop individually and meet back at the car, or could even provide an opportunity for your spouse or partner to drive it back to where you are in a pinch, like in a torrential downpour.

It’s also just a really cool way that modern technology is changing or evolving the way we interact with our vehicles. For those who spend a lot of time on the road or traveling, it could make all the difference. The downside is that it won’t work with older, legacy vehicles that require a physical key, you need to be driving something much newer. Unless you actually take the time to install a digital key system in your old muscle car.

Personally, I use temporary digital keys to give my neighbors and friends access when I’m away from my home. For example, if I take a trip for a week and they need to move my car or it needs to be stored in the garage for some reason. I can easily disperse digital keys then revoke access after the car has been moved. Of course, that also depends on who you can or can’t trust around you. It’s always good to have reliable neighbors and friends.

Innova doesn’t offer anything key-related yet, but the advanced OBD2 scanners like the 5610 can be used to check on various systems such as the vehicle’s anti-theft solutions or keyless entry system. They’re super nifty tools to have because you can quickly use them to spot when something’s wrong and get right down to the bottom of it with a quick scan.

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