Digital Key
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Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 216
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From: Clear Lake Shores, Texas
2026 AMG CLE 53, 2026 BMW X5, 1972 Corvette
Digital Key
I recently picked up a 26 CLE 53 that allegedly comes with digital key capability. I’ve set it up (numerous times) on my iPhone according to instructions and it shows to be active on the app but it has never worked. I’m curious if anyone has been able to actually make it work before I spend any more time on it.
Thanks
Thanks
Member
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 179
Likes: 26
From: Agoura Hills, CA
2025 CLE53 | 1969 Camaro Pace Car
I recently picked up a 26 CLE 53 that allegedly comes with digital key capability. I’ve set it up (numerous times) on my iPhone according to instructions and it shows to be active on the app but it has never worked. I’m curious if anyone has been able to actually make it work before I spend any more time on it.
Thanks
Thanks
Member
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 179
Likes: 26
From: Agoura Hills, CA
2025 CLE53 | 1969 Camaro Pace Car
Can you post a picture or screenshot of the app where it shows you have a digital key? I'm very interested in that and I think that many people here would also be interested
Member
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 179
Likes: 26
From: Agoura Hills, CA
2025 CLE53 | 1969 Camaro Pace Car
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 216
Likes: 27
From: Clear Lake Shores, Texas
2026 AMG CLE 53, 2026 BMW X5, 1972 Corvette
It doesn’t specify which version, just says the latest version was installed on 11/18/25, which was the day after I bought it.
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2025 CLE53 | 1969 Camaro Pace Car
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Member
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 179
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From: Agoura Hills, CA
2025 CLE53 | 1969 Camaro Pace Car
Member
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 179
Likes: 26
From: Agoura Hills, CA
2025 CLE53 | 1969 Camaro Pace Car
So I went on the Mercedes website https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/mo...riolet/cle53a4 and under Safety it says Digital Vehicle Key under the standard features. I don't know if it said that on the MY2025 specs, but I'm thinking it didn't. And so now the question is, is it a hardware update on the MY2026 cars or is it just a software update that at some point the pre-MY2026 cars will get?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 216
Likes: 27
From: Clear Lake Shores, Texas
2026 AMG CLE 53, 2026 BMW X5, 1972 Corvette
I spoke with the tech concierge at the dealer by phone this morning (they’re an hour away) and he had no clue what the problem was. He was supposed to get with someone else and call me back but that never happened.
This afternoon I called the “Mercedes Me” assistance line and spent at least 30 minutes with someone that had less than no clue what the problem was (or even what a digital key was) and again they have escalated it to the next level, whatever that means. We’ll see if I hear back from anyone.
At this point I am surrendering but if I ever get it to work I’ll report back.
This afternoon I called the “Mercedes Me” assistance line and spent at least 30 minutes with someone that had less than no clue what the problem was (or even what a digital key was) and again they have escalated it to the next level, whatever that means. We’ll see if I hear back from anyone.
At this point I am surrendering but if I ever get it to work I’ll report back.
Member
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 179
Likes: 26
From: Agoura Hills, CA
2025 CLE53 | 1969 Camaro Pace Car
I spoke with the tech concierge at the dealer by phone this morning (they’re an hour away) and he had no clue what the problem was. He was supposed to get with someone else and call me back but that never happened.
This afternoon I called the “Mercedes Me” assistance line and spent at least 30 minutes with someone that had less than no clue what the problem was (or even what a digital key was) and again they have escalated it to the next level, whatever that means. We’ll see if I hear back from anyone.
At this point I am surrendering but if I ever get it to work I’ll report back.
This afternoon I called the “Mercedes Me” assistance line and spent at least 30 minutes with someone that had less than no clue what the problem was (or even what a digital key was) and again they have escalated it to the next level, whatever that means. We’ll see if I hear back from anyone.
At this point I am surrendering but if I ever get it to work I’ll report back.
Maybe try searching on here on one of the forums for cars that you know have a digital key and ask them a couple questions about it.
I think I'm going to do a separate post and ask if anyone has a digital key on pre-MY2026 cars.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 3
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2026 CLE 450 Cabriolet
Hey @dan1495 did you get resolution on this. It would be good to know to close the loop in case others find this post. I have a new CLE coming in January with this feature, so looking forward to using the Digital Key. I've had a quick look at the requirements and of course you must have checked the usual suspects for this type of technology - NFC / Bluetooth enabled, compatible phone / watch, software updated etc. Hopefully you've got to the bottom and resolved the issue.
I'm suprised nobody has come back and confirmed they have this working for a CLE or any Mercedes infact. It would be super useful say for me who runs a lot and doesn't want to carry that extra weight around once I've parked up.
I'm suprised nobody has come back and confirmed they have this working for a CLE or any Mercedes infact. It would be super useful say for me who runs a lot and doesn't want to carry that extra weight around once I've parked up.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 216
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From: Clear Lake Shores, Texas
2026 AMG CLE 53, 2026 BMW X5, 1972 Corvette
Digital Key
Interestingly enough I have actually gotten it to function in the last few days. After several fruitless calls to MB I frankly gave up. This may sound crazy, but my wife got me an Apple Watch for Christmas and just for grins I loaded the digital key into it. The watch will unlock and lock the car but I haven’t been able to start the car with it. However, if I have the watch and phone in the car it will start every time, although sometimes it takes a little fiddling with the phone in the charging pad. Using the phone to unlock the car is hit or miss, though. BTW, my phone is a year old iPhone 15. I’ve considered that perhaps my phone has an issue, but can’t confirm that. I’d be interested in other’s experience.
Sorry for the long winded reply.
Sorry for the long winded reply.
Last edited by dan1495; Dec 31, 2025 at 06:04 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2017
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2026 CLE 53
Not sure if it helps, but I have one that is few weeks old and the digital works great. I followed the steps in the app and it worked. However, I did need to do it a few times to get it working in my Apple Wallet. I think three times but now it is set and works fantastic.
Member
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 83
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I just purchased a CLE 53 and was able to setup my apple phone (digital key) to lock/unlock, start, etc my CLE. I am also a product Concierge for a MB dealership and have setup digital key for a guest/customer on a E53. The E53 has a interesting feature where the seats massage to the beat of the music
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 9
Likes: 2
2026 CLE 53
I just purchased a CLE 53 and was able to setup my apple phone (digital key) to lock/unlock, start, etc my CLE. I am also a product Concierge for a MB dealership and have setup digital key for a guest/customer on a E53. The E53 has a interesting feature where the seats massage to the beat of the music
Member
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 83
Likes: 22
I generally just go over how to set favorites and I am personally a podcast / amazon music person. However, I tried this in my CLE 53 yesterday. As I am sure you know the right side of the steering wheel controls the middle screen. So, if you have the XM favorites screen displayed I was able to swipe up and down thru the favorites using the swipe button on the right side of steering wheel. If you are wanting to scroll thru them when the favorites screen is not displayed I do not believe that is possible. I even tried using HEY Mercedes and was not successful.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
I recently picked up a 26 CLE 53 that allegedly comes with digital key capability. I’ve set it up (numerous times) on my iPhone according to instructions and it shows to be active on the app but it has never worked. I’m curious if anyone has been able to actually make it work before I spend any more time on it.
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 216
Likes: 27
From: Clear Lake Shores, Texas
2026 AMG CLE 53, 2026 BMW X5, 1972 Corvette
I have a 26 CLE too and set the key up when I first got the car couple of months ago but never tried using it, I just locked the car remotely and went to unlock it with only my phone in hand, I didnt even have to open my Apple wallet with the key up, the car just unlocked. Haven't tried starting it though, will try tomorrow.
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