How to use the Digital Key 2 (smartphone)

Smartphone touch control

You can lock and unlock the door without activating the Kia Access app or Kia App by touching the smartphone to the door handle. You can start the vehicle by placing the smartphone on the charging pad. Make sure that the location of the smartphone’s NFC antenna touches the door handle authentication pad.

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  1. Door handle authentication pad

  2. 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 located in the center of the screen. The NFC antenna is located in the place you tap to make contactless payments. If you are uncertain about the location of the NFC antenna on your phone, contact your smartphone manufacturer for more details.

Locking and unlocking the doors

  • 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.

  • After you unlock the doors, they will automatically relock after 30 seconds unless you open a door.

  • If the smartphone digital key does not operate, move the smartphone more than 4 inches (10 cm) from the door handle authentication pad and try it again.

UWB (Ultra Wide Band) means ultra-wideband wireless communication technology. NFC (Near Field Communication) means short-range wireless communication.

For smartphones without UWB support:

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.

For smartphones with UWB support:

  • To lock or unlock the doors, carry your smartphone and touch the door handle to the lock/unlock sensor (curved area) on the outside door handle.

  • If Approach Unlock is enabled, the doors automatically unlock when you approach the front door handle with your smartphone in your possession.

TIP

  • When you carry a smartphone supported by UWB and stay near the vehicle for a few minutes, the door may not unlock automatically.

  • If the smartphone is in a back pocket or bag, the signal may be blocked, which could limit the Bluetooth connection and cause operation delay when you lock/unlock the doors or start the vehicle.

  • If you apply a tinting film containing metal components, the digital key may not function properly.

TIP

The door will not unlock and a beep will sound when you use the Digital Key 2 if any of the following occur:

  • The smart key is in the vehicle.

  • The vehicle is in the ACC or ON position.

  • You attempt to lock the door while more than 1 door, the hood, or the liftgate is open.

  • If you apply a tinting film containing metal substances to the digital key, it may not function properly.

Starting the vehicle

After placing your registered smartphone on the charging pad, engage the brake pedal and press the ENGINE START/STOP button.

Once you start the vehicle, you can remove the smartphone from the pad.

For more details, refer to ENGINE START/STOP button.

For smartphones without UWB support:

  • To start the vehicle, place the smartphone’s NFC antenna on the center of the charging pad, press the brake pedal, then press the ENGINE START/STOP button.

  • Once you start the vehicle, you can remove the smartphone from the charging pad.

  • 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.

For smartphones with UWB support:

  • Carry the smartphone inside the vehicle, engage the brake pedal, and then press the ENGINE START/STOP button to start the vehicle.

  • 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.

  • To turn the vehicle OFF, press the remote start button again.

WARNING

The vehicle can start when the registered smartphone is placed on the in-vehicle authentication pad (wireless charging pad). Do not leave children or people who are unaware of the system unsupervised, as this can result in serious injury or death. To prevent vehicle theft, always have the registered smartphone with you when you leave the vehicle.

TIP

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.

When the inner authentication pad is used for the first time, the function may not operate.

Operating the liftgate

For smartphones with UWB support:

  • When the vehicle is locked, to open the liftgate, press the liftgate open button, carrying a smartphone registered.

  • When Smart liftgate is selected, the liftgate automatically opens when you approach the detecting area behind the liftgate for more than 3 seconds, carrying a smartphone with Digital Key 2 registered.

WARNING

  • Always have the registered smartphone with you when you close the liftgate. The doors may not unlock if you close the liftgate when the doors are locked or if you close the liftgate using the liftgate button on the smartphone.

  • 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 keep the registered smartphone with you to prevent vehicle theft when leaving the vehicle.

  • If a tinting film containing metal components is applied, it may cause poor Bluetooth connectivity.

  • If the smartphone is in a back pocket or bag, the signal may be blocked, which could limit the Bluetooth connection and cause delays when locking/unlocking doors or starting the vehicle.

For smartphones with UWB support, Digital Key 2 is only available when the vehicle and the smartphone are connected through Bluetooth.

  • The distance at which you can get a Bluetooth connection may vary depending on the surroundings.

  • If a tinting film containing metal components is applied, it may cause poor Bluetooth connectivity.

  • If the smartphone is in a back pocket or bag, the signal may be blocked,which could limit the Bluetooth connection and cause 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.