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Do you often find yourself jealous of Tesla users and their digital car keys? These electric vehicles can be controlled with a card or a smartphone, which makes driving smoother and easier. It’s only a matter of time before this technology becomes mainstream. The proliferation is starting now as smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung are starting to bring these features to more of us. Enter Android digital car key, the feature that will let you dump physical and bulky keys once and for all.
What is an Android digital car key?
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Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
The whole concept is simple to understand. A digital car key is a feature that allows you to lock, unlock and start your car using your smartphone. It works with NFC (Near Field Communication). This technology can help devices communicate over very short distances of four centimeters or less.
Once configured, the Android digital car key allows users to place phones near supported car doors to lock/unlock them. Additionally, the user can place the phone on the car key reader to start the vehicle.
Which cars support it?
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Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Don’t try right away! Chances are most of us can’t use Android digital car key yet. Car manufacturers have not yet widely adopted this technology, and only a handful of vehicles currently support the Android digital car key.
For now, the only manufacturer that actually supports Android digital car key is BMW. However, Google has partnered with the Car Connectivity Consortium to bring this to other vehicles. Other CCC partners include General Motors, Honda, Hyundai and Volkswagen. This means that these manufacturers should soon join the party.
Supported Phones
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Ryan Haines/Android Authority
Can I use the Android digital car key if my phone is turned off
Today’s NFC and UWB technology is impressive and requires very little power. That’s why the Android digital car key may continue to work “for a few hours after your phone’s battery runs out,” according to Google.
This is only the case if you don’t need the screen unlocked for the Android digital car key to work. Screen unlock is not needed by default, and you need to change the settings to change that. Keep in mind that if the Android digital car key requires the screen to be unlocked, it will not work when the phone is turned off.
How to Set Up and Use Android Digital Car Key
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Robert Triggs/Android Authority
Setting up and using the Android digital car key is very simple. Let’s go over the basics.
How to pair your phone to your car using email:
- Your car manufacturer can email you a link to pair your vehicle to the Android digital car key. Ask for it.
- Open the email and select Add to Android.
- An update may be required. Go all the way.
- Select the Set up your digital key notification.
- Log in to your Google account.
- Tap Accept and Continue.
- Edit the name, if desired.
- Place the phone on your car key reader and wait for it to pair.
Pair your phone to your car using your car app:
- If your supported vehicle has an app available, you can use it to set up the Android digital car key.
- Launch the app and set up or log in to your account.
- Find the digital car key options and follow the instructions.
- Log in to your Google account.
- Hit Accept and continue.
- Edit the name, if desired.
- Place the phone on your car key reader and wait for it to pair.
How to pair your phone to your car using your car head unit:
- Find the digital key setup wizard in your car head unit and select it.
- Unlock the phone and place it on the digital card reader.
- Follow the instructions. You may need to update your device.
- Select the Configure your digital key notification.
- Log in to your Google account.
- Hit Accept and continue.
- Edit the name, if desired.
- Place the phone on your car key reader and wait for it to pair.
Once your phone is set up and paired with your vehicle, you can place your phone near the handle to lock or unlock the vehicle. You can also place your phone in the digital key reader and press the start button to start the engine. If you ever want to stop using the feature, you can remove the Android digital car key.
How to delete your Android digital key:
- On your Android phone, open your digital car key.
- Press the three dot menu button.
- Select Delete key.
- Confirm by selecting Wipe off.
Also: Learn more about Android Auto
FAQs
Android digital car key works on Pixel 6 series phones, Pixel 7 series phones and some Android devices with Android 12 or later.
The Android digital car key can unlock, lock and start a supported car.
The technology is based on NFC and UWB. It also needs a data connection.
Transferring your Android digital car key is simple. Just remove it from your current device and go through the setup process on the new one.
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