Technology does not stop for anything, and even less so in the world of cars and smartphones. One of these advances allows you to open, close and even start the car from your mobile phone. What can you do if you have a phone and car compatible with this technology? Configure your car's digital key with your mobile phone in different ways and let your daily life become better and better.
That's right, many Android devices are already capable of pairing with some cars, allowing you to control many of their functions using the phone itself. All this is possible thanks to a tool called a digital key that has been incorporated into the latest automobiles. In this article, We will see how you can pair your mobile with your car, which phones this technology is compatible with and what you can do from there. Let's get started.
Configure your car's digital key with your mobile
The digital key that some manufacturers have incorporated into their cars allows you to perform actions such as opening, closing and starting your car from your phone. So, thanks to this tool, now You won't have to worry too much if you've left the keys. at home, since you can do all this from your own phone.
In fact, there are some phones and vehicles that already offer another tool that goes further: proximity opening. With it, it is not even necessary to take out your phone to open, close or start the car. This is responsible for opening the car when you are nearby, turning it on when you are inside, and closing it when you leave. Now Let's see how you can configure your car's digital key with your mobile.
How to configure your car's digital key with your mobile: so you can pair them
There are, at least, three ways to pair your car's digital key with your mobile- Using the car manufacturer's app, using the link sent to your email by the car manufacturer, and using the car's head unit or center console. Keep in mind that your phone must be updated to the latest version of Android and have the Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet installed. Let's see what is the procedure to follow in each case.
Use the car manufacturer's app
First of all, let's see how to pair your car's digital key using the car manufacturer's app. To do this, follow the steps below:
- Set up your account in the car manufacturer's app.
- To pair your car with this account, search for 'digital car key' and follow the steps.
- Sign in with your Google account.
- Check the terms of service.
- Press OK and continue (edit the key name to your liking).
- Click Start Pairing and wait for the process to finish.
- Ready. At that point the digital key will be added to Google Wallet.
With the link that the manufacturer sends to your email
On the other hand, you can pair your car's digital key with your mobile using the link that the car manufacturer sends to your email. Follow these steps to achieve it:
- On your phone, open the received email.
- In email, tap Add to Android.
- Sign in with your Google account.
- Check the terms of service.
- Click Accept and continue.
- Edit the name of the digital key on your mobile. For example: 'Eric's Pixel 6 Pro'.
- Hold your phone close to the car key reader and wait for both to pair.
- Ready. This way, the digital key will be added to Google Wallet.
Via car head unit
Lastly, you have the option to pair the digital key to the mobile using the car head unit. Remember that this option is only available on some cars. To achieve this, follow these steps:
- On the main unit, select the digital key settings.
- Place your phone in the car key reader.
- On the main unit, follow the on-screen steps.
- Update your phone and tap on the Set up your car key option.
- Sign in to your Google account on the welcome screen.
- Check the terms of service.
- Tap Accept and Continue.
- Enter the activation code.
- Edit the key name.
- Place the mobile phone in the car key reader again and wait for it to pair.
- Ready. Once done, the digital key will be added to Google Wallet.
Configure your car's digital key with your cell phone: what phones can it be done with?
Now, one main aspect that you should take into account before trying to pair your mobile and your car is which phones are compatible with the digital key. Until now, not all cell phones or all cars have this function. But, we are sure that as time goes by, more will be added to the list.
Currently, Android phones compatible with the digital key are:
- Google Pixel 8 Pro
- Google Pixel 7 Pro
- Google Pixel 6 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Galaxy S23+
- Galaxy s22 ultra
- Galaxy S22+
- Galaxy s21 ultra
- Galaxy S21+
- Galaxy S20 series (minus S20 FE)
- Galaxy z fold 4
- Galaxy z fold 3
- Galaxy z fold 5
- Galaxy z flip5
- Galaxy z flip4
- Galaxy Flip2
- Galaxy note 20 ultra
Please note that, as indicated in Samsung's security policy, a digital key can only be used on one device. Additionally, you cannot register a digital key using the same Samsung account on more than one phone. And, in order to use proximity opening or new functions, your mobile phone will need to have the Android 13 operating system and the latest version of Digital Key.
What can you do with your phone?
Once you configure your car's digital key with your mobile you will be able to perform a wide variety of everyday actions. For example, opening and closing, turning it on and starting it, activating the alarm or opening the trunk of the car. To do this, you must do the following:
- Open or close the car: Keep the back of the phone close to the car door handle.
- Start the car: Once inside the car, place the phone on the car key reader – press the car start button.
- activate alarm: In the Google Wallet app, tap Alarm.
- open the trunk: In the Google Wallet app, tap Trunk to open it.