Digital Key questions
#361
Instructor
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Don't know about the RX but my 2020 ES had the remote start by app 3yr trial and subscription after that. This is not the digital key. Car can be started from anywhere in the world and stay on for 10 minutes or shut off by app and lock and unlock doors. Car does shut off when open doors and that is where the digital key would come into play. Seems to me that Lexus would rethink this and give everybody that paid for the digital key a wallet key and make available to others for purchase. Like I said before my dealer thought the wallet key came with the digital key option as it did with some other Lexus model. He even called his parts dept and they told him not available.
#362
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Unless the app key uses bluetooth or rfid or something close range, it would always have to be routed through internet and Lexus servers.
I am also thinking the app serves a different purpose. For example, being able to remotely start and stop the car is useful for people who leave the car by itself for a long while, or those people who want to warm up (or cool) the car from somewhere far without needing to go close and inside.
In addition, the app allows me to monitor the car from anywhere in the world. I have never used it to actually open the car when I am nearby, but then again I've only had the car for a week haha. An FOB or card key is much better for that purpose as it does use close range communication without needing to open the app and fumble around with it..
I am also thinking the app serves a different purpose. For example, being able to remotely start and stop the car is useful for people who leave the car by itself for a long while, or those people who want to warm up (or cool) the car from somewhere far without needing to go close and inside.
In addition, the app allows me to monitor the car from anywhere in the world. I have never used it to actually open the car when I am nearby, but then again I've only had the car for a week haha. An FOB or card key is much better for that purpose as it does use close range communication without needing to open the app and fumble around with it..
#363
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Obviously, things like the automated remote parking will only work through bluetooth (or at least I hope so).
#364
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An added digital key feature is if I try to lock my car and the it refuses, it means I left the iPhone in the car. Mine is usually sitting on the charging pad, but I can't forget my phone now.
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toyotaman7 (03-17-24)
#365
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I found a new minor "glitch" with the Digital Key and would appreciate if others can check to see if it's just me. When attempting to close the rear hatch with the locking button, shown on the right (with the "lock" icon) in the photo here, it doesn't work, at all, with the Digital Key. But does work with the FOB. The non-locking hatch-close button, seen in the photo here on the right, works not matter what...even if no key or FOB is nearby. The kick open thing under the bumper, however, works fine with both the FOB or the Digital Key. But the close-and-lock neither closes nor locks unless you have a FOB. Shouldn't the digital key do this as well? So to close the hatch and lock the vehicle with the Digital Key, you have to use the basic "close" button, then go to a door and touch the lock notch in the handle. The Digital Key should work for the close-and-lock rear hatch but does not.
#366
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#368
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1- Does the app have permission to use bluetooth under iOS settings?
2- Is Bluetooth on
3- Is battery saver mode off?
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QPL (03-18-24)
#369
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We recently purchased a 2024 RX (late March, 2024), and yes as others here have reported we were rather shocked that at the time of delivery, it only included one key.
Fortunately, ours has the "Tech pkg, digital key" option which allows for up to 5 cell phones (we have iPhones and have tested this) to open the doors, start, and drive the vehicle without a key!
Has anyone else with that option used it? Our dealer did not know about it and they seemed to be knowledgeable in every other aspect about our new RX.
This is a REALLY long thread, and I'm sorry if this has already been discussed
.
Jim
-----------------------------------
after 30+ posts my signature will show...
2024 RX-450H+ PHEV (Cloudburst Grey, Macadamia interior)
2021 RX-450H (White, Birch interior)
2021 Audi RS5 Coupe (White, Black interior)
2010 RX-350 - gone
2007 GS-450h - gone
Fortunately, ours has the "Tech pkg, digital key" option which allows for up to 5 cell phones (we have iPhones and have tested this) to open the doors, start, and drive the vehicle without a key!
Has anyone else with that option used it? Our dealer did not know about it and they seemed to be knowledgeable in every other aspect about our new RX.
This is a REALLY long thread, and I'm sorry if this has already been discussed
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Jim
-----------------------------------
after 30+ posts my signature will show...
2024 RX-450H+ PHEV (Cloudburst Grey, Macadamia interior)
2021 RX-450H (White, Birch interior)
2021 Audi RS5 Coupe (White, Black interior)
2010 RX-350 - gone
2007 GS-450h - gone
#370
Driver School Candidate
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You will not find many positive comments on the digital key in this forum. Lexus support recommends that you carry the key fob with you and not rely solely on the digital key. We basically spent a fair amount of money on an unreliable digital key. Don't leave home without the key fob!!!
#371
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Search this Thread
The Search This Thread function works great if someone wants to look at posts containing a term.
On either phone or regular computer browsers it shows in the right side of the page, immediately above the actual posts contained on that page.
It returns all posts matching the term, my screenshot just shows the first one returned.
As already mentioned, Digital Key appears to be kind of iffy, and end of the day requires you have good cell phone connectivity as it doesn't talk directly to the car, IIRC.
Last edited by Markfm; 04-15-24 at 06:38 PM.
#372
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We recently purchased a 2024 RX (late March, 2024), and yes as others here have reported we were rather shocked that at the time of delivery, it only included one key.
Fortunately, ours has the "Tech pkg, digital key" option which allows for up to 5 cell phones (we have iPhones and have tested this) to open the doors, start, and drive the vehicle without a key!
Has anyone else with that option used it? Our dealer did not know about it and they seemed to be knowledgeable in every other aspect about our new RX.
This is a REALLY long thread, and I'm sorry if this has already been discussed
.
Jim
-----------------------------------
Fortunately, ours has the "Tech pkg, digital key" option which allows for up to 5 cell phones (we have iPhones and have tested this) to open the doors, start, and drive the vehicle without a key!
Has anyone else with that option used it? Our dealer did not know about it and they seemed to be knowledgeable in every other aspect about our new RX.
This is a REALLY long thread, and I'm sorry if this has already been discussed
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Jim
-----------------------------------
So, a great feature only if it is reliable. For us, we never go anywhere without the key fob ever since.
#373
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New to Lexus and my iPhone Digital Key loaded on the Lexus app. Do you trust it, or as Lexus recommends, do you carry your key fob as a backup? I'm not 100% clear but I think you need cellular service, bluetooth, or both to use phone as a 100% replacement for the key fob. I travel where there is no cell service, so phone-only as key is a no go for that I guess.
#374
Intermediate
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I just use my fob. The problem with the digital key is it drains your iPhone battery if you keep the app open even in the background.
The digital key is more of a backup for me, but not what I would call reliable or convenient.
The digital key is more of a backup for me, but not what I would call reliable or convenient.
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ColoradoDavid (05-14-24)
#375
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I use it occasionally. Not very reliable.
On few occasions it unlocked the car, I got in, but the car was not detecting the key to start. I had to play with settings for few minutes to start the car. Other times i had to reboot the phone so that it actually worked.
I would not go far from a family member that could bring me a key in case it decides not to work.
Lexus still has lots of work to do with digital key and the profile systems. That are great ideas, but seems like they released beta versions and decided not to update them after release.. just my observations and opinion.
On few occasions it unlocked the car, I got in, but the car was not detecting the key to start. I had to play with settings for few minutes to start the car. Other times i had to reboot the phone so that it actually worked.
I would not go far from a family member that could bring me a key in case it decides not to work.
Lexus still has lots of work to do with digital key and the profile systems. That are great ideas, but seems like they released beta versions and decided not to update them after release.. just my observations and opinion.
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Urlik (05-14-24)