How to Use the Digital Key 2 (Smart Phone)

Smart Phone Touch Control

The driver can lock and unlock the door by touching the smart phone on the door handle without activating the Kia Access App. Also, the vehicle can be started by placing the smart phone on the charging pad. Make sure that the location of the smartphone's NFC (short-dange wireless communication) antenna touches the door handle authentication pad.

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/Unlocking the doors

  • If the driver touches the smart phone antenna to the driver's or passenger's door handle authentication pad for more than 2 seconds, the door will lock or unlock.

  • If 2 Press Unlock function is set, only the driver's door will be unlocked by touching the smart phone on the driver's door handle. Touch the smart phone once more within 4 seconds to unlock all doors.

  • After unlocking the doors, the doors will automatically re-lock after 30 seconds unless a door is opened.

  • If the smart phone 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.

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 lock/unlock sensor (curved area) on the outside door handle.

WARNING

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

  • 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.

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

NOTE

Note that the door will not lock and a beep sounds when using the Digital Key 2 if any of the following occur:

  • When the Smart Key is in the vehicle

  • The vehicle is in ON position

  • Attempting to lock the door when more than one door, or hood, liftgate is opened

  • 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 smart phone on the charging pad, depress the brake pedal and press the ENGINE START/STOP button.

  • Once the vehicle is started, you can remove the smart phone from the pad.

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

For smartphones without UWB support:

  • Place the NFC antenna of the smartphone on the center of the charging pad, press the brake pedal, and then press the start button to start the vehicle.

  • After starting 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 to operate it.

  • 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.

For smartphones with UWB support:

  • Carry the smartphone inside the vehicle, press the brake pedal, and then press the start button to start the vehicle.

  • To start the vehicle remotely, use the Kia app or an app provided by the smartphone manufacturer and press the remote start button. The vehicle will start and the hazard warning lights will flash.

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

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.

CAUTION

  • 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 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 smart phone with you to prevent vehicle theft when leaving 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.

Operating the Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA)

Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) can be operated near the vehicle via the Kia App on a UWB-supported smartphone registered with Digital Key, even without the smart key.

NOTE

  • For detailed instructions, refer to the guide in the Kia App or the Digital Key 2.

    RSPA can only be operated with a Digital Key on vehicles and smartphones that support UWB.

  • RSPA with Digital Key can be operated only via the Kia App. This feature is not available in apps provided by smartphone manufacturers.

    To allow shared users to operate RSPA, both the Digital Key and the vehicle must be shared via the Kia App.

    RSPA is available only with Digital Keys that have Full or Valet access rights.

    Check the Bluetooth connection between the vehicle and smartphone before using RSPA.