On my third or maybe my 4th call to Lexus Support to try & get the digital key working again (it works for a while then it's a no go so I have to call again) the tier 2 support person (maybe not the correct term) did the resets etc. again to get it working yet again. I was really frustrated on the phone but not trying to take it out on him as he didn't design the system. I asked him what good was having the digital key as it is not reliable at all, his response more that once was that it is a convenience item!!!! He couldn't or wouldn't explain the "convenience" aspect to me but did remind me that per Lexus you are supposed to always carry the fob with you just in case! I'm probably looking at 1st quarter next year to get the 2nd fob.

 

When you say "it works and then it stops again", do you mean that you are prompted to download the key again and again? We went through that issue before, you only need that if you want the proximity features of your phone/app (running) to work, like the FOB does. If you are willing to use the buttons on the app to control the car, you don't need that. I really think that periodic request to re-download the key is a security thing. I don't even bother downloading the key, when I want to use the app I just use it with manual app button controls.

 

I try to use it as a fob. If I walk up to the car and can't unlock the door with the handle I normally grab the actual fob out of my pocket (which is turned off) and continue with that. Sometimes digital key is not displaying on the phone other times it's there but just doesn't work. I'll then contact Lexus to get it fixed. I've never tried using the buttons on the app when it has failed, just want to get where I'm going! I'll have to check that when I have the problem again.

 

My experience is that for the Digital Key to reliably work, I have to pull my phone out of my pocket, be sure the Lexus app is open on the phone screen and the phone is positioned near the car door handle. As I said above, this is why I’ve gone south on my enthusiasm for this option. The FOB works passively and flawlessly in my pants pocket.

 

I really believe they have some security problem with the app used with the proximity features, it periodically asks to download the key to force a code roll. I don't know this for a fact, but that's what I think is going on. They don't want to have a bunch of RXes stolen by hackers whose owners leave the app running all the time (in their house, etc) - unhappy owners and bad press - so it periodically asks to download the key again. But as far as the app draining the phone battery - there isn't much they can do about that, if you leave the app running all the time its constantly going to be trying to sync up with the car. I even keep the FOB in a faraday bag inside my house to prevent constant "pinging" to the car and save the FOB battery, and it also doesn't hurt to thwart any security issues related to that comms channel from the FOB to the car. Yes I know you can perform a hard shutdown on the FOB to stop this as well, its just easier for me to use the bag than to remember to press that button sequence.

 

Glad you finally saw the light and agree that the digital key is a flawed piece of garbage. It's just too much work to get it to function and keep it running. I do agree that Lexus should refund everyone who has one as well as discontinue it as an option. The digital card (available on the 2024 ES350 for $100.00 option) seams like a much better product.

 

Lexus does not get any future revenue off the wallet key and that is why it is not available even through parts dept. What is the digital key good for anyway if you have to carry the fob with you? As big a flop as the digital key is Lexus should make a wallet key available at no charge. My dealer did not even know it wasn't available until he researched it. My 2001 LS430UL came with 2 master, 1 valet, 1 wallet master key. Times have changed.

 

Does the wallet key card have the proximity features like the FOB does, or do you have to physically touch the card to the door handle and the engine start?

 

‘My wallet keycard for my LX570 only needed to be near the vehicle to work, just like the FOB. Wish the RX offered that feature.

 

My digital key still does not work (bought the car over a month ago). Called Lexus as suggested by one poster, but they were very kind in directing me back to the tech specialist at the dealership. So I am at the mercy of having this kid relay whatever the tech gods at Lexus send him. Also, I noticed that they kept having me clear my cache, uninstall and reinstall the app on my phone. Nothing has worked. Then I was menu diving on the multimedia screens to where you enable and disable digital keys, and I have no such option. Not sure I'll ever get the use of that $275 option.

 

If Lexus ever gets this working properly then at that point call them and get them to start the subscription date at that time. I did that with remote start on my ES that took awhile to correct.

 

Good call will do.

 

The wallet is card (available on the 2024 ES350 for $100.00 as an option). I know they get no future revenue on the wallet key card but since their digital key is a white elephant they should at least offer the wallet card. If they can make it for the 2024 ES350, they "could" offer it on any car they choose to. Aside from revenue generation at least it would promote some good will as appose to pissing off everyone that tries to use the digital key.

 

Agree...When I questioned my dealer on this he said the wallet card key came with the digital key. Lexus opted not to do this on the RX

 

What you're saying is you don't use the digital key, you only use the remote connect feature. I wouldn't mind only using remote connect (aside from paying for a digital key), except Lexus only allows one user to have remote connect enabled on their app. It doesn't fit in with a 2 driver household with only one key fob.