How to set up and start using the Genesis Digital Key System

The Genesis Digital Key system allows you to unlock and start your vehicle using your Android smartphone. Genesis Digital Key is available for the first time in the 2021 Genesis G80 and Genesis GV80. If your Genesis is equipped with Digital Key, this article will take you through the steps to set up and start using the system.
 
Here are the things you need to have in order to set up Genesis Digital Key:
  • A compatible Android smartphone. Currently, only Android phones are compatible with the Digital Key system. The phone must meet the following requirements:
    • Android operating system version 7.0 or newer                                                                                                   
    • Bluetooth (BLE) 4.0 or newer                                                                                                                                   
    • Near Field Communication (NFC)

NOTE:  If the device supports NFC or BLE only, then the usage of Digital Key features will be limited.

  • You will need a MyGenesis account and be enrolled in the Genesis Digital Key service. It is through MyGenesis that the connection is made between your phone and your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If you are currently enrolled in MyGenesis, make sure your new Digital Key equipped Genesis is included in the vehicle list.
  • Download the Genesis Digital Key app from Google Play, and install it on your phone.
  • Have your NFC Key Card that came with your car on hand.
With all of the above covered. The first step will be to open the Digital Key app and follow the prompts as it has you enter key information. The Digital Key app will use the same 4-digit PIN as your MyGenesis account.

Pairing and registering your phone with your car’s Digital Key system

You must instruct your car to recognize your smartphone as the primary key. You should only have to do this once, as long as you retain your phone.
 
  1. While in your vehicle, have your smartphone on and the Digital Key app open
  2. Start your vehicle
  3. Press the + button on the app to put the primary phone in pairing mode
  4. Place your phone on the wireless changer
  5. Pairing will occur automatically

The car will acknowledge the paring and you are now ready to register your phone as the car’s primary digital key.

On models equipped with the navigation system, follow this sequence:

Setup → Vehicle → Digital Key → Smartphone Key → Select → Save

Models without navigation will use the instrument cluster display located between the speedometer and tachometer, which is operated by controls on the steering wheel. For this display, follow this sequence:

Digital Key → Smartphone Key → Select → Save                                                                                                 

                                      

Pairing and registering the NFC Key Card

It is advised that you always carry your NFC (Near Field Communication) Key Card as a back-up key, should your phone run out of power or have some other kind of issue with your smartphone. The card is similar to a hotel key card and thus can easily be stowed away in a wallet or billfold. To operate as a backup digital key, the NFC Key Card will also have to be paired and registered with the car. If the card is not already paired to the vehicle please follow the procedure below:
 
  1. Start your vehicle
  2. Make sure you have your primary smartphone with the Genesis Digital Key app loaded in the vehicle
  3. In the app, select the Pair NFC Key Card via BLE section from the side menu
  4. Place your card on the wireless changer
  5. Pairing will occur automatically.

To complete the registration process on models with a navigation screen follow this sequence:

Setup → Vehicle → Digital Key → NFC Key Card → Save

On models without navigation, the sequence using the gauge cluster display will be:

Digital Key → NFC Key Card → Save                                                                                                                                          

Checking the Setup

Your smart phone should now be your vehicle’s primary digital key. Open the Digital Key app and confirm that all vehicle information is correct. Follow the prompts on the app.

You will now want to verify if the system is working correctly. Shut off your car, exit the car, lock the doors and walk away.

 

Digital Key Entry

Approach the vehicle with your phone on and unlocked. The Digital Key app does not need to be open. Unlock the driver’s door by placing your phone up by the driver’s door handle for a one second. The phone does not have to touch the door handle, but it does need to be within an a few centimeters away. You should hear the driver’s door unlock. Other doors may unlock as well, depending on whether you have programmed the unlock system to do so.
 

Digital Key Start

Upon entering your car, place the phone in the wireless charger pad, press on the brake and push the start button to start the car. After the car has started, the phone no longer needs to remain in the wireless charger tray, and can be locked and turned off, or used for Android Auto if you wish.
 

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