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Mercedes-Benz Preparing to Launch Digital Car Key Support for iPhone and Apple Watch in Latest E-Class Sedan

Brad7 said:
That only happens when you have the “Driver door-only” mode toggled on. Turn it off and all doors will unlock upon approach.

You get two card keys with the car, you just hand one to the valet.
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I assume you’re describing a Tesla procedure, which admittedly, I am not familiar with. But the article is referring to digital key via phone or watch.

I think the question about valet still stands. If I need to still carry something besides my phone or watch, it doesn’t seem any more useful than the key fob I’ve had in my last two vehicles (Or the physical cards, if that is how it works on a Tesla).

I have digital key on my phone that I can use to open and operate my vehicle if I don’t have my fob, but it seems carrying the fob covers all bases.
 
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icwhatudidthere said:
Yeah, Apple Watch support would be amazing but like CarPlay, I have a feeling it's a lost cause.
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"...Apple Watch support would be amazing..."

Check out the Watch app for Tesla. It's pricy but you can use it to do pretty much everything from your Apple Watch. I use it to start the climate system while standing in line at the store and to open the frunk or trunk hood. I've also got it set so my watch is a key.

apps.apple.com

‎Watch app for Tesla

‎Convenience on the desktop - Watch app for Tesla is the ideal companion in day to day life with your Tesla vehicle. These are just a few of the day to day conveniences this app will help achieve: - Pair your watch as a proper vehicle key, just like your phone! Works under all conditions...
apps.apple.com
 
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centauratlas said:
I thought all the Honda's had Honda Link and with the app you can do the lock/unlock/remote start. Our 2019 Odyssey does. It isn't easy to use like the feature in the article. (Edit: This was the first link, and not great, but... https://www.normreeveswestcovina.com/how-to-use-remote-start-in-honda-west-covina-ca/#:~:text=HondaLink®%20is%20a%20downloadable,find%20the%20Remote%20Engine%20tab.)

I like the feature on the now nearly 7 year old MB GKS-450. When we trade in a few years the feature mentioned here should be nice.
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I believe that it’s only the Odyssey and CRV that offer remote start and unlock through Hondalink. Maybe a couple more models, but definitely not my Civic Hatchback, despite the fact that it’s the top trim- Sport Touring. Pretty annoying!

The lower trims qualify for the ‘Basic’ version of the Hondalink app and only get the ability to book service appointments, contact roadside assistance and recall notifications. My Sport Touring gets me the ‘Link’ level version of the app which adds features like vehicle notifications/warning lamps, maintenance minders, mileage/fuel/oil levels and some useless Navigation features that I’ll never use since the built-in nav is crap compared to Apple/Google Maps on CarPlay.
 
dontwalkhand said:
It’s actually quite nice, though I believe they were going based on their own design language, hence the serif fonts etc.

The picture shows it in sport setting, the regular blue looks quite nice.
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No I’ve seen it in reviews on different mercs and I don’t like this software look at all. Looks bad.
 
My car has this feature and it’s absolutely wonderful. My physical car keys are kept at home in a faraday box and are never used. I’ve gone out before and only realised that I didn’t even have my phone on me when I was waiting in a store for my order to be ready and I wanted to use it to fill some time. My watch had done everything. Between Digital Key, ApplePay and my Nuki front door lock, I never carry a wallet or keys with me anymore and don’t even have to take my phone. Just my watch will do.
 
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Solomani said:
Awesome on BMWs! I must have missed the news, I take it very few car models even support Apple Digital Keys yet.
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Apple launched it with BMW in 2020, you can also check models with Car keys (and Carplay) here: https://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/available-models/

Do note, the list just says Car keys in general, it doesn’t say if it’s UWB or NFC. This distinction makes a big difference because the NFC version kind of sucks, take your phone out and tap to open the door, then tap it again to start the car, some people don’t get that it needs 2 taps. But UWB doesn’t need any tap, like a regular wireless keyfob.

Regardless, Car keys are on BMW, a few Hyundais, Kias, and Genesis models, as well as a BYD (China only).
 
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MallardDuck said:
It's not reliable on walking up to the tailgate or passenger door (unlike my toyota). Having to open the drivers door, and hit the unlock button on the screen to put a dog in the back is a major PITA.

Plus, what do you hand a valet?
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my Tesla is ok - phone in pocket works all of the locks
watch does the same
there’s the card key for the valet, car wash etc
 
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Spanky Deluxe said:
My car has this feature and it’s absolutely wonderful. My physical car keys are kept at home in a faraday box and are never used. I’ve gone out before and only realised that I didn’t even have my phone on me when I was waiting in a store for my order to be ready and I wanted to use it to fill some time. My watch had done everything. Between Digital Key, ApplePay and my Nuki front door lock, I never carry a wallet or keys with me anymore and don’t even have to take my phone. Just my watch will do.
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Do the same with my Tesla and Apple Watch. Nothing like freedom from carrying stuff!
 
sharpie000 said:
It's unfortunate all these auto manufacturers are still resistant to moving to a digital solution. Tesla incorporated digital keys into their vehicles and it's quite impressive. Walk up to the car, door unlocks and it's automatically on and ready to drive. When you've reached your destination, the minute you exit the car and close the door, the car shuts off and it'll lock and arm the car automatically.
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Everyone I know has a Tesla. And they all universally complain about the unlock feature. You are talking about an n=20. The amount of time I see people trying to get their phones to unlock their Tesla is genuinely amazing.
 
What a hideous looking dash -- ugly surround displays. After using a computer the whole day, the last thing I want is to get into a car and be surrounded by more displays. These things are going to look sooo dated in a few years. I would prefer a car with no displays: just beautiful ergonomically designed hi-end knobs to adjust temperature, radio etc ... and enjoy the car as a car. If I want a computer, I have a much better one at home /office thanks.
 
kasei said:
I have digital key access on my phone for both of my cars. The 2023 model unlocks and locks based on having my phone on me. So I don't need to hold it to the door handle like the 2021 model.
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What cars have you got??!?!
 
sharpie000 said:
It's unfortunate all these auto manufacturers are still resistant to moving to a digital solution. Tesla incorporated digital keys into their vehicles and it's quite impressive. Walk up to the car, door unlocks and it's automatically on and ready to drive. When you've reached your destination, the minute you exit the car and close the door, the car shuts off and it'll lock and arm the car automatically.
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My mercedes also unlocks when I walk up to it.

There is mention in the Mercedes me app plus car manual about phone unlocking and my car was made in 2020.

There is a procedure to share digital keys, it involves leaving the car key locked in the glove box though.


I can use the app to un/lock the car but not start it.

It has nfc readers on the handles dnd I guess later cars had a soft key.
 
“Dont text and drive”

The screen situation in modern cars has the potential to be much more dangerous and is getting out of hand.
 
I’ve noticed that if I have my iPhone in my back pocket, my Tesla doesn’t always unlock automatically when I walk up to it. I also have the Watch for Tesla app which works well, but it needs to be running in the foreground to automatically unlock the car doors. So I took one of the Tesla car keys and melted it down in a jar of acetone and embedded the chip in my Apple Watch leather band. This way I just hold my arm up to the B pillar if my Tesla fails to unlock when I walk up to it. This also lets me leave the house without my phone for running errands.
 
citivolus said:
I’ve noticed that if I have my iPhone in my back pocket, my Tesla doesn’t always unlock automatically when I walk up to it. I also have the Watch for Tesla app which works well, but it needs to be running in the foreground to automatically unlock the car doors. So I took one of the Tesla car keys and melted it down in a jar of acetone and embedded the chip in my Apple Watch leather band. This way I just hold my arm up to the B pillar if my Tesla fails to unlock when I walk up to it. This also lets me leave the house without my phone for running errands.
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Why the back pocket? Do people enjoy sitting on their phone?
 
Can not wait until someone is driving this sort of car, and there is a glitch or a failure in one single component, and the entire dash simply blinks out and goes dark. No way of telling your speed, no way of telling how much gas is left in the tank, no way of telling anything. Should be hilarious.
 
Sevendaymelee said:
Can not wait until someone is driving this sort of car, and there is a glitch or a failure in one single component, and the entire dash simply blinks out and goes dark. No way of telling your speed, no way of telling how much gas is left in the tank, no way of telling anything. Should be hilarious.
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Well you get it repaired if it breaks.

Digital clusters have been around for a while though, I think NHTSA would make them put a redundant system in there if it was prone to failure. You can basically have the screen switch inputs from one computer to another if you needed to.
 
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