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 Access App. Also, the vehicle can be started by placing the smartphone on the charging pad. Make sure that the location of the smartphone’s NFC (short range wireless communication) antenna touches the door handle authentication pad.
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Different smartphones have their NFC antennas located in different places. 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 in the center of the screen. The NFC antenna is in the same location that you may use for tapping to make contactless payments. If you are uncertain about the location of the NFC antenna on your phone, contact the smartphone manufacturer for more details.
Locking and unlocking the doors
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If the driver touches the smartphone 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 you unlock the doors, they will automatically relock after 30 seconds unless you open a door.
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If the smartphone digital key does not operate, move the smart phone more than 4 inches (0.1 m) from the door handle authentication pad and try it again.
To lock or unlock the doors with a registered smartphone, touch the NFC antenna on the smartphone on 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 (curved area) on the outside door handle.
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If Approach Unlock is enabled, the doors will be automatically unlocked when you approach the front seat outside door handle with your smartphone in your possession.
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When you carry a smartphone supported by UWB and stay near the vehicle for a few minutes, the door may not unlock automatically.
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If the smartphone is in a back pocket or bag, the signal may be blocked and could limit the Bluetooth connection and cause operation delay when locking/unlocking doors or starting the vehicle.
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If you apply a tinting film containing metal components, 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 position
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Attempting to lock the door when more than one door, or hood, liftgate 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 charging pad, depress the brake pedal and press the EV button.
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Once the vehicle is started, you can remove the smartphone from the pad.
For more information, refer to EV button.
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To start the vehicle, place the smartphone’s NFC antenna on the center of the charging pad, press the brake pedal, then press the EV button.
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Once you start the vehicle, you can remove the smartphone from the 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 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. The NFC antenna is in the same location that you may use for tapping to make contactless payments. If you are uncertain about the location of the NFC antenna on your phone, contact the smartphone manufacturer for more details.
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Carry the smartphone inside the vehicle, engage the brake pedal, and then press the EV 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 lights will flash.
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To turn the vehicle OFF, press the remote start button again.
Operating the liftgate
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When the vehicle is locked, press the liftgate open button while carrying a registered smartphone to open the liftgate.
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When the Smart Liftgate feature is selected, the liftgate 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 liftgate, 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 liftgate while the doors are locked or when you close the liftgate using the liftgate 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 smart phone 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 Digital Key 2 for a shared user may have an extended operation time the first time you use it.
Approach the authentication pad located in the outside door handle with your Digital Key 2 (smartphone) 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.
