Digital key 2 (Smartphone)
How to register digital Key 2 (Smartphone)
Kia digital Key 2 can only be used on the smartphones that support this function, and the smartphone's digital key 2 function is provided by the smartphone manufacturer. Some functions may not work depending on whether the vehicle is provided with such service.
While updating the digital key 2 controller, the smart key function may not work temporarily. In this case, it can be operated with the door lock/unlock button of the smart key.
Smartphone set up
In order to use digital key 2 (Smartphone) function, install the Kia App or Kia Connect app on your smartphone and register your information and subscribe the service.
Smartphone Registration
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Smartphone key
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My Smartphone key
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Save
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Turn the vehicle on with the smart key and make sure to keep the smart key inside the vehicle during digital key registration.
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Shift to P (Park), press Register Vehicle Digital Key Setting on Kia App or Kia Connect app on your smartphone, and register according to the messages on the app.
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For smartphones without UWB support, place the NFC antenna of the smartphone on the center of the wireless charging pad (A).
A: Charging pad
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For smartphones with UWB support, even if you don’t put your smartphone on the indoor authentication pad (wireless charging pad) (A), if you carry your smartphone in the vehicle, you can register the digital key wirelessly.
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When the digital key (smartphone) is saved, a message will appear on the instrument cluster or the infotainment system screen.
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The infotainment system may change after software updates. For more information, refer to the manual provided in the infotainment system and the quick reference guide.
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Vehicle
When there is a digital key (smartphone) already saved in the vehicle, Delete All will be displayed on the Smartphone Key menu screen of the infotainment system and Delete will be displayed on the My Smartphone Key screen. If you want to save a digital key again, More Details.
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Smartphone
The digital key cannot be saved again while the vehicle’s digital key is saved in the owner's smartphone. Save the digital key after deleting the digital key from the smartphone OEM wallet App or in the vehicle.
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During the digital key 2 saving process, the process will cancel when:
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The smartphone is removed from the in-vehicle authentication pad (wireless charging pad)
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Changing the infotainment system or instrument cluster screen
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The vehicle is turned off
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The gear is shifted
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There is no smart key (saving process will not begin)
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As the in-vehicle authentication pad may not work smoothly depending on the internal structure of the smartphones, the digital key may not be registered. In this case, register the procedure by moving the smartphone to the left or right of the in-vehicle authentication pad (wireless charging pad).
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UWB (Ultra Wide Band) means ultra-wideband wireless communication technology. NFC (Near Field Communication) means short-range wireless communication.
When it is not registered on the Kia App or Kia Connect app on your smartphone
Even if you put your smartphone on the indoor authentication pad, if the message of Registering... is not displayed on the infotainment system screen, you can register it as below.
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After turning the vehicle OFF, use the smart key to turn POWER ON again, then place the smart key inside the vehicle.
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Select Setup → Vehicle → Digital Keys → Smartphone key → My Smartphone Key on the infotainment system screen while the vehicle is in P (Park) position.
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Place the NFC antenna of the smartphone on the center of the indoor authentication pad (wireless charging pad).
When the digital key (smartphone) is saved, a message will appear on the infotainment system screen.
How to use the digital key 2 (Smartphone)
Smartphone touch control
The driver can lock and unlock the door by touching the smartphone on the door handle without activating the Kia App or Kia Connect app. Also, the vehicle can be started by placing the smartphone on the in-vehicle authentication pad (wireless charging pad).
A: Door handle authentication pad
B: NFC antenna on the back of the smartphone (The antenna position differs depending on models.)
You can check the location of the NFC antenna on your Samsung smartphone in the Settings app → Connections → NFC and contactless payments. The Apple iPhone's NFC antenna is located at the top of the back of the device, and the Apple Watch's NFC antenna is located in the center of the screen. Make sure that the location of the smartphone's NFC antenna touches the in-vehicle authentication pad (wireless charging pad).
However, as the location of the smartphone's NFC antenna may be different by smartphone model, contact the smartphone manufacturer for more details.
Locking/Unlocking the doors
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If the driver touches the smartphone NFC antenna to the driver's or passenger's door handle authentication pad for more than 2 seconds, the door will lock or unlock.
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After unlocking the doors, the doors will automatically re-lock after 30 seconds unless a door is opened.
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If the smartphone digital key does not operate, move the smartphone more than 0.1 m (4 inches) from the door handle authentication pad and try it again.
To lock or unlock the doors with a registered smartphone, contact the NFC antenna on the back of the smartphone with the authentication pad of the driver's or passenger's outside door handle for about 2 seconds.
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To lock or unlock the doors, carry your smartphone and touch the door handle lock/unlock sensor (carved area) on the outside door handle.
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Select On driver approach on the infotainment system. The doors will unlock automatically when you approach the driver side door while possessing the smartphone. When you approach the front passenger side door, touch the door handle button to unlock the doors.
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If you put the smartphone in a back pocket or bag, it may be blocked by the body part, which limits the Bluetooth connection and cause operation delay when locking/unlocking doors or starting the vehicle.
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If a tinting film containing metal components is applied, the digital key may not function properly.
Note that the door will unlock and a beep sounds when using the digital key 2 if any of the following occur:
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When the Smart Key is in the vehicle
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The EV button is in POWER ON or DRIVE READY position
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Attempting to lock the door when more than one door, or hood, tailgate is opened
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If a tinting film containing metal substances is applied to the digital key, it may not function properly.
Starting the vehicle
After placing your registered smartphone on the in-vehicle authentication pad (wireless charging pad), depress the brake pedal and start the vehicle.
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Once the vehicle is started, you can remove the smartphone from the pad.
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Place the NFC antenna of the smartphone on the center of the indoor authentication pad (wireless charging pad), press the brake pedal, and then press the start button to start the vehicle.
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After starting the vehicle, you can remove the smartphone from the indoor authentication pad (wireless charging pad).
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Some smartphones may not have smooth NFC communication due to their internal structure. In such cases, move the smartphone to the right or left of the indoor authentication pad (wireless charging pad) to operate it.
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The Apple iPhone's NFC antenna is located at the top of the back of the device, and the Apple Watch's NFC antenna is located in the center of the screen. Make sure that the location of the smartphone's NFC antenna touches the in-vehicle authentication pad (wireless charging pad). However, as the location of the smartphone's NFC antenna may be different by smartphone model, contact the smartphone manufacturer for more details.
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Carry the smartphone inside the vehicle, press the brake pedal, and then press the start button to start the vehicle.
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To start the vehicle remotely, use an app provided by the smartphone manufacturer to lock the vehicle using the door lock button, and then press the remote start button within 4 seconds. The vehicle will start, and the hazard warning light will flash
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To turn off the vehicle, press the remote start button again.
The vehicle can be started when the registered smartphone is placed on the in-vehicle authentication pad (wireless charging pad). Therefore, do not leave unsupervised children or people who are not aware of the system since it can result in serious injury or death. In addition, always have the registered smartphone with you to prevent vehicle theft when leaving the vehicle.
The operation time of digital key 2 for shared user may extend during first time use.
Approach your digital key 2 (smartphone) on the authentication pad located in the outside door handle until the vehicle door lock/unlock function operates.
If the inner authentication pad is used for the first time, 1st vehicle start function may not operate.
Operating tailgate
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When the vehicle is locked, press the tailgate open button while carrying a registered smartphone to open the tailgate.
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When the Smart tailgate feature is selected, the tailgate automatically opens if you stand in the detection area behind it for more than 3 seconds while carrying a smartphone registered with Digital Key 2.
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When closing the tailgate, please check that the registered smartphone is inside the vehicle. If you leave your smartphone inside the vehicle, the doors may not unlock when you close the tailgate while the doors are locked or when you close the tailgate using the tailgate close button.
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The vehicle can be started by anyone if the registered smartphone is inside the vehicle. Therefore, do not leave children or individuals unfamiliar with the vehicle's system alone in the vehicle, which could result in serious bodily injury or death. In addition, always keep the smartphone registered with Digital Key 2 on you to prevent theft when leaving the vehicle.
For smartphone with UWB support, Digital Key 2 is only available when the vehicle and smartphone are connected via Bluetooth.
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The effective range of a Bluetooth connection may vary depending on the surrounding environment.
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Bluetooth connectivity may be poor depending on the vehicle's tinting film.
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If the smartphone is in a back pocket or bag, the signal may be blocked, potentially limiting the Bluetooth connection and causing delays when locking/unlocking doors or starting the vehicle.
For smartphones with UWB support, Digital Key 2 is only available for a limited time to optimize the vehicle and smartphone batteries.
You can check the connection between the vehicle and smartphone in the smartphone's settings or in an app provided by the smartphone manufacturer.
The vehicle can be started when the registered smartphone is placed on the in-vehicle authentication pad (wireless charging pad). Therefore, do not leave unsupervised children or people who are not aware of the system since it can result in serious injury or death. In addition, always have the registered smartphone with you to prevent vehicle theft when leaving the vehicle.
The operation time of Digital Key 2 for shared user may extend during first time use.
Approach your Digital Key 2 (smartphone) on the authentication pad located in the outside door handle until the vehicle door lock/unlock function operates.
If the inner authentication pad is used for the first time, 1st vehicle start function may not operate.
How to delete digital key (Smartphone)
Turn the vehicle on with the smart key and make sure to keep the smart key inside the vehicle during the digital key (smartphone) deleting process.
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Delete All digital Key (Smartphone)
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Digital Keys
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Smartphone key
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Shared keys
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Delete all
With the vehicle on, touch Setup→ Vehicle → Digital Keys → Smartphone key → Delete all on the infotainment system.
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The key of owner and the shared user will be deleted.
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If there is no registered key, the menu cannot be selected.
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Delete My Smartphone key
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Digital Keys
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Smartphone key
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My Smartphone key
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Delete
If the owner's smartphone has been changed, the new smartphone can be registered after only deleting the previous Digital Key 2 (Smartphone).
With the vehicle on, touch Setup → Vehicle → Digital Keys → Smartphone Key → My Smartphone key → Delete on the infotainment system.
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After deleting My Smartphone key, the new smartphone can be registered.
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Deleting the shared keys
Select Setup→ Vehicle → Digital Keys → Smartphone key→ Shared Keys → [Group]→ Delete All on the infotainment system screen.
Those digital keys other than the My Smartphone Key (smartphone) are classified by [Group] and displayed as ‘Shared Key.’
If the account logged in the smartphone is the same, it is displayed as the same [Group]. You can delete the Shared Key by the unit of [Group].
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If digital key (smartphone) is deleted, the digital key saved in the smartphone is also deleted.
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If digital key (smartphone) is deleted on the smartphone, the digital key saved in the vehicle is also deleted.
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Digital key (smartphone) is not deleted even if Kia App or Kia Connect app is deleted on the smartphone.
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Digital key can be activated or deactivated within the Kia App or Kia Connect app provided from the smartphone manufacturer.
The infotainment system may change after software updates. For more information, refer to the manual provided in the infotainment system and the quick reference guide.