Keyless start? Anyone got it working?

[Mr Fibb]

Hi, my original 2022 Trophy MG4 does allow true keyless entry and driving. For unlocking, I get within Bluetooth range (Bluetooth logo goes from greyed out to blue in the homescreen of the app). I get in the car, it pings like crazy saying ‘key not detected’ (or something like that). Then after a short while and pressing the brake pedal (not sure if that actually does anything) the app tells me to calibrate. It shows a picture of holding the phone in the centre of the steering wheel. So I hold mine there and then says ‘calibrating’ after a few seconds. Eventually it’s done and depressing the brake pedal puts the car into the ‘ready’ state.

I’ve had to do this when I can’t find my physical key and need to go to work; it’s been a life saver!

 

[fnegroni]

Calibration is only necessary first time since a recent upgrade in the app.

 

[securespark]

Doesnt work for me in the Trophy. Can anyone else try with a Trophy?

Just by chance I was with the car today without the key I usually carry. But I have the MG app on my phone. I only wanted to put some stuff in the car, so opened the app and tapped "unlock" on the main screen. I got in the car and sat in the passenger seat.

Then I got interested and remembered this thread and thought I'd try the Digital Key.

So I tapped the octagon with the key in it, then My Car Key. Then Keyless Start.

The first time I did this, it directed me to place the phone in the centre of the steering wheel. Then the app declared success. I leaned on the driver's seat cushion and the car fired up. No need to press the brake pedal.

So I locked the car and unlocked it and repeated the digital key stuff, without the need to do the steering wheel malarkey. As soon as I "sat" on the driver's seat, everything fired up.

So, it works for me on our 23 plate Trophy LR with rear wiper.

Edit: I forgot to add (if it makes a difference) that my phone is a Nokia XR20, running Android 14.

 

[Yorkshire Hillbilly]

It finally works! I've no ideas what the garage did but after 3 years it's now working and I'm completely key free

I unlock the car from the digital key menu, open the door, press keyless start and then get in and it starts right up.

I'll probably still take a key when I'm going long distance or on holiday etc. but for local driving I can just leave the key at home now.

The only thing I've noticed is that when I used the key to lock the car it made a double clunk sound but, when I use the app there's only a single clunk. No idea's what this is?

 

[securespark]

You mean the noise from the CL motors?

 

[Yorkshire Hillbilly]

You mean the noise from the CL motors?

No, when unlocking / locking the car. If I use the key it goes clunk clunk. If I use the App it just goes clunk once. Old Fords used to to this when engaging the deadbolts, maybe it's the same for the MG4 and locking using the app doesn't engage the deadbolts?

 

[Everest]

Just tried the keyless start without a paired BT connection. No BT icons on my phone or on the infotainment screen but the car powered up and went into Ready mode when the brake pedal was pressed.

As said in an earlier post, it's a separate BT protocol that is used for the digital key - this does not require a previous BT pairing.

I would be concerned with the security of BT connection without prior paring - is it documented anywhere how the security works for this scenario?

 

[mg4mc]

Bluetooth LE doesn't need pairing. The security comes from a shared security key installed in the car and the iSmart app.

 

[gary333]

The only thing I've noticed is that when I used the key to lock the car it made a double clunk sound but, when I use the app there's only a single clunk. No idea's what this is?

It’ll be the deadlocks, usually a remote lock doesn’t activate them to prevent you locking people in the car unintentionally.

 

[Yorkshire Hillbilly]

It’ll be the deadlocks, usually a remote lock doesn’t activate them to prevent you locking people in the car unintentionally.

Ah, I understand... However, locking with the Digital Key isn't the same as remote locking (from anywhere on the planet) as I'm physically stood with the vehicle and connected via Bluetooth.
*rhetorical/pontification

I've asked MG to clarify for me as this would probably allow those pesky unscrupulous insurance companies to wiggle out of any claims of theft, and to be honest, I'd be looing to lay the blame at MG as it was promoted as having a digital key and that's the whole reason I bought the car really.

 

[gary333]

Ah, I understand... However, locking with the Digital Key isn't the same as remote locking (from anywhere on the planet) as I'm physically stood with the vehicle and connected via Bluetooth.
*rhetorical/pontification

I've asked MG to clarify for me as this would probably allow those pesky unscrupulous insurance companies to wiggle out of any claims of theft, and to be honest, I'd be looing to lay the blame at MG as it was promoted as having a digital key and that's the whole reason I bought the car really.

Just checked on my car (with window open to test internal handles). It's supposedly on software version R67:

1. Physical Key - Deadlocked enabled
2. Bluetooth Key - Deadlock not enabled
3. Remote Key - Deadlock not enabled

I don't think the deadbolt functionality will affect insurance as i can't see a mention in thatcham standards:

Category	Description
Category 1	Combined alarm and immobiliser. Must isolate at least two vehicle systems and include multiple sensors.
Category 2	Electronic immobiliser only. Prevents starting without the correct key or fob, isolating at least two systems.
Category 2/1	An upgrade from Category 2 by adding a Thatcham-approved alarm.
Category 3	Mechanical immobiliser. Physical devices like steering locks that disrupt vehicle operation.
Category 4	Wheel locking devices, primarily for securing alloy wheels.
Category S5	Advanced tracking systems with post-theft recovery features and Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR).
Category S7	Asset location systems that provide tracking capabilities.

 

[DonBattino452]

Keyless unlocking and driving via the app now works exclusively on my Standard MY22. What was required to make it work? Literally updating everything — from the infotainment (MPU + MCU) all the way to the TBox and SIPS. As soon as all checkmarks turned green , it worked . I had to wait more than 3 years and teach myself the entire update process and the associated risks, but the effort was absolutely worth it.