Digital Key (Phone As Key)
A digital key lets a smartphone or smartwatch unlock and start the car.
What is Digital Key (Phone As Key)?
It uses NFC, Bluetooth or ultra-wideband. Keys can be shared. A backup key is recommended. Standards such as the Car Connectivity Consortium digital key aim to make phones from different brands work with different cars. Ultra-wideband allows precise location of the phone, which helps against relay attacks. If the phone battery is empty, some phones keep enough reserve for a few unlocks.
How it works
The phone authenticates with the car securely.
Why it matters for your car
A flat phone battery can be a problem. Check compatibility.
Other terms
- ABS Warning Light
- Control Unit Coding
- Defensive Driving
- DPF Warning Light
- Dual-circuit Brakes (Split Brake System)
- Dynamo (DC Generator)
- Engine Warm-up
- Headlight Restoration
- Hydrogen Refuelling
- Ladder Frame (Body-on-frame)
- Longitudinal Engine
- Misfire Counter
- Parasitic Drain
- Peak Charging Power (Max kW)
- Snow Foam
- Torque Vectoring
- Torsion Bar Spring
- TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System)
- Tyre Pressure
- Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT)