The hyundai Digital Key is a remarkable innovation that allows drivers to have full access to their vehicle using their smartphone, but how do people set it up? Launched in 2019, the digital key is intended to replace the ordinary car key. This technology allows up to four authorized people to access the digital key. Moreover, it is designed to be more secure than the traditional physical key. When it arrived, it would have been included in the next Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the same year. However, the first Hyundai to support digital key was the 2020 Sonata.
Smartphones used as a key technology have been in development for some time. Since people always carry around their mobile devices, it makes sense to equip these devices with this feature. Besides Hyundai, BMW, Lincoln, Tesla and Ford, some car manufacturers offer smart keys for certain models. For Model 3, users can unlock doors, access vehicle information and do many other things. Unfortunately, as this is an evolving trend, few models have it. However, it is believed that more models will support this technology in the foreseeable future.
Although the Hyundai Digital Key first appeared in the Sonata, it has since been offered in electric models like the Ioniq 5 and Kona Electric. As mentioned earlier, the Hyundai digital key allows users to unlock and start their vehicle provided their Hyundai is equipped with this feature. Drivers can obtain the digital key via an app download. Additionally, the digital key uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for enhanced security. NFC is better than Bluetooth because for the Hyundai to start, the driver must be a few centimeters away. With this proximity in mind, the car cannot be driven by anyone else since the owner is in close proximity to the vehicle.
How to set up Hyundai digital key
Users must meet specific requirements to set up the Hyundai digital key. As the technology is relatively new, not all smartphones can run it. Currently, only Android compatible mobile devices support the digital key. So, for example, iPhone users will not be able to access the digital key even if their Hyundai comes with it. In addition, the devices must be equipped with the Android 7.0 or higher operating system. They must also have Bluetooth 4.0 or higher and be NFC compatible. It should be noted that phones with NFC or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) can still run the app, although functionality is limited. Potential users must also have a MyHyundai account and are included in the Hyundai Digital Key service. MyHyundai account connects phone and Hyundai Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
After downloading the Hyundai digital key from the Google Play Store, drivers need to program the car to always recognize the smartphone as the primary key. In the vehicle, drivers must open the Digital Key app, start the car and press the + button in the app to put the phone into pairing mode. The phone must be on the wireless charger for successful pairing. The hyundai will confirm pairing, allowing drivers to register their phone as a primary key. For models equipped with the navigation system, users should follow this sequence: Setup—Vehicle—Digital Key—Smartphone Key—Select—Save. Users should follow this sequence for non-navigation models: Digital Key — Smartphone Key — Select — Save. While this is an incredible way to access vehicle controls, hackers can take advantage of some vulnerabilities.
Source: Hyundai USA