Hyundai, Kia and Genesis: Digital Key for iOS and Android

The Hyundai Motor Group will collaborate with smartphone platforms to provide digital access to vehicles from the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands to a larger number of iOS and Android smartphone users through the convenience feature Digital Key 2.

"We were the first in the automotive industry to offer the contactless Digital Key 2 feature from Apple and Samsung when we introduced it in the Genesis GV60," explains Hyung Ki Ahn, Senior Vice President and Head of the Electronics Development Center at the Hyundai Motor Group. "Through active collaboration with our partners in the smartphone industry, we will further enhance the customer experience and safety concerning in-car connectivity."

Cross-Platform Key Function

In the past, it was not possible to exchange digital keys for Hyundai, Kia, or Genesis vehicles between iOS and Android-based smartphones. With the enhanced service, more users can now unlock, lock, and start compatible vehicles with selected Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel devices. Certain phones even allow for automatic unlocking of the vehicle when the user approaches, so the smartphone no longer needs to be held to the driver’s door handle.

Apple, Google, Samsung and Co.

The company has reorganized the provision of Digital Key 2 through the manufacturer's app to expand compatibility. The extended service is available not only for Apple and Samsung smartphones but also for Google Pixel phones. It will also be extended to other smartphone manufacturers in the future. This development reflects the way mediation is now handled by the phone manufacturers. As the number of phone and car manufacturers increases, the process has become more complicated. Therefore, the method has been changed so that the phone manufacturers have their own servers to simplify the process.

New Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles already compatible

Older, similarly equipped models should be able to use this feature with a software update. The cross-platform release will initially be available for compatible Apple iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel smartphones, with more models to follow.

The device-to-device release function can be used after the smartphone has been updated to the latest version or by deleting previously used car keys and newly registering the new keys before use.