iSmart App and Digital Key

[Andrew Sinclair]

Does anyone else use the Digital Key feature in the iSmart app?

I have stopped carrying my car key completely now, just leave it at home! Rather means I have to keep my phone charged up mind you. Great feature!

 

[Bobbyboy]

Does anyone else use the Digital Key feature in the iSmart app?

I have stopped carrying my car key completely now, just leave it at home! Rather means I have to keep my phone charged up mind you. Great feature!

Hi,
Still waiting for the car, but do you know if you can have more than one app assigned to the car. So I have the app on my phone and my wife has the app on her phone?
Cheers Rob

 

[ZTT]

I have used it but it takes longer than just keeping your keys in your pocket.

Also not sure if the app is stable enough

 

[Andrew Sinclair]

@Bobbyboy,

Yes, you can do this but the apps on both your phone and @MrsBobbyboy's phone must be logged into the same iSmart account. Unfortunately, the architecture is based on one account 'bound' to one vehicle.

 

[Andrew Sinclair]

@ZTT

That's a good point, the Digital Key is rather buried obscurely in the 'My Profile' screen.

 

[ZTT]

It needs to use NFC in the drivers pillar, similar to using apple pay.

will come eventually no doubt.

 

[sgt4hed]

I have just discovered this today, literally 2 minutes ago... I am assuming it uses the bluetooth connection to emulate the presence of the key? I haven't tried driving off with it yet but it certainly locked the car just as quickly as the key would... does it also unlock in the keyless fashion by pressing the comfort access button on the door handle?

 

[Andrew Sinclair]

I have used it quite a lot and leave the key at home but as @ZTT states, if something goes wrong with the app then you could get 'stuck'

 

[Slipstream]

I have used it quite a lot and leave the key at home but as @ZTT states, if something goes wrong with the app then you could get 'stuck'

I wondered what digital key was on the app now I know lol. Thanks.

 

[N2STY]

Yet its hard to get your car de bound will be fun in the future not only will they know the location of your car they can put the heating on so it nice an warm then drive off it been well thought out well done MG

 

[sgt4hed]

Yet its hard to get your car de bound will be fun in the future not only will they know the location of your car they can put the heating on so it nice an warm then drive off it been well thought out well done MG

Don't forget that MG aren't the only manufacturer using this for their cars, BMW have a digital key that works using the bluetooth on a mobile phone to unlock and start a BMW. Mobile apps are the biggest security concern for new vehicles given the amount of control over the vehicle they have.

 

[Alb]

Interesting story:

Gone in 130 seconds: New Tesla hack gives thieves their own personal key

You may want to think twice before giving the parking attendant your Tesla-issued NFC card.

arstechnica.com

 

[adamback]

I have just discovered this today, literally 2 minutes ago... I am assuming it uses the bluetooth connection to emulate the presence of the key? I haven't tried driving off with it yet but it certainly locked the car just as quickly as the key would... does it also unlock in the keyless fashion by pressing the comfort access button on the door handle?

Just tried it, sorry, No pressing button on door.

 

[hmadsen]

I have used it quite a lot and leave the key at home but as @ZTT states, if something goes wrong with the app then you could get 'stuck'

Yeah, but you need to get into the app and unlock via the app right ?

Honesly, if that is the case i would ABSOLUTELY not trust it.

I had my car stop talking to the app for a while, and only when i had the battery terminal off of the 12V battery, did the app start working again.

The app stopped working, while 200 miles from home, in Germany.

Trusting the app, is what i would call a risky approach.

 

[Andrew Sinclair]

@hmadsen

Yeah, you’re quite right. The app and actually the car sw itself is “OK” but as I learned yesterday it is a bit 'flakey'.

Conceptually, I like the idea of not carrying a key but I don't like the idea of being an AA gold card holder ?

I may have to revisit my earlier assertion.

 

[Catsailor]

Hi,
Still waiting for the car, but do you know if you can have more than one app assigned to the car. So I have the app on my phone and my wife has the app on her phone?
Cheers Rob

Yes, more than 1 user. Requires main user to authorise 2nd user. Can be set up as a permanent authorisation but default is only one day.

 

[wicksonp]

I enabled this feature on my 2023 ZS EV LR Trophy Connect, just to check it out. I wasn't really planning to use it on a day-to day basis. However, a few weeks ago, my car was locked and I walked up to the rear of the car (with my tennis bag containing my keys), opened the boot as normal, chucked my bag in and closed the boot. I then realised the doors were locked, so went to reopen the boot (as it shouldn't be able to remain locked with the keys inside - which they were). To my amazement, the boot wouldn't open. Fortunately, after 5 minutes of panic, I remembered the digital key function and that I still had my phone in my pocket. It got me out of trouble. Not quite sure what I'd have done if my phone had been in the tennis bag as well (which it usually is). I did try to replicate the issue when I got home and in possession of the duplicate set of keys, but the boot did actually open then. Very wierd. Now I always open the doors first using the button on the door handle.

 

[hmadsen]

I enabled this feature on my 2023 ZS EV LR Trophy Connect, just to check it out. I wasn't really planning to use it on a day-to day basis. However, a few weeks ago, my car was locked and I walked up to the rear of the car (with my tennis bag containing my keys), opened the boot as normal, chucked my bag in and closed the boot. I then realised the doors were locked, so went to reopen the boot (as it shouldn't be able to remain locked with the keys inside - which they were). To my amazement, the boot wouldn't open. Fortunately, after 5 minutes of panic, I remembered the digital key function and that I still had my phone in my pocket. It got me out of trouble. Not quite sure what I'd have done if my phone had been in the tennis bag as well (which it usually is). I did try to replicate the issue when I got home and in possession of the duplicate set of keys, but the boot did actually open then. Very wierd. Now I always open the doors first using the button on the door handle.

If you put your keys in the boot and close it with the doors locked, if you then open the boot again, the alarm will go off.

In your case it did not, because the car did not "feel" the key....Probably because whatever bag you had it in, was shielding the signal