Digital Key
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 214
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From: New York
2025 E450 Sedan: 2019 E450 Coupe
Digital Key
Looks like another take away. My digital key stopped working a few days ago. Today I attempted to fix it. I deleted the existing digital key from my iPhone, attempted to set it up via the Mercedes me app, and get a message that it could not set up the digital key. I tried this about 4 times, same outcome. I called Mercedes me connect, spent 15 minutes with someone with very little knowledge, she had me try again to set it up, same outcome, puts me on hold again, when she returns she says she just found out that as a few days ago the digital key in NO Longer supported in the U.S. market.
is the digital key working in your car?
is the digital key working in your car?
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Warsaw, Poland
W214 400e
Same here. Symptoms sound the same and I even performed same steps. Just that it stopped working for me a month or two months ago. Maybe it's been a result of either an iPhone update or MBUX update. I cannot tell. I took a car to service - the service upgraded the system and it didn't help. Next step is to collect troubleshooting data to ship it to research center in Germany and I've got appointment set on Monday.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Warsaw, Poland
W214 400e
I don't think it got deactivated, at least not explicitly. I think it stopped working because of incompatibility between devices (Mercedes and iPhone) that happened after an update on either end. If it was disabled, the functionality would not be marketed (it is being marketed) or exposed in the app. It would disappear as an option in the Mercedes ME app.
I asked in Polish W214 facebook page if it works for anybody. Some person said that it does work for him. Nobody said no. It seems that it works, at least for some people. I'll ask if he has latest iOS or which MBUX version. There might be some nonofficial compatibility matrix.
I asked in Polish W214 facebook page if it works for anybody. Some person said that it does work for him. Nobody said no. It seems that it works, at least for some people. I'll ask if he has latest iOS or which MBUX version. There might be some nonofficial compatibility matrix.
Last edited by dnldaniel; Nov 16, 2024 at 09:20 AM.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: New York
2025 E450 Sedan: 2019 E450 Coupe
Yes, latest version of iOS 18.1 on an iPhone 16 pro. Does someone who has an android phone can confirm if it is working on not would be very helpful. It is not uncommon for Mercedes to do different things in different markets.
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From: Poland
GLE
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Joined: Jun 2024
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From: DFW Texas
GL450, E450, Porsche 718 GTS
I have an iPhone 16 pro with 18.1 as well. As I posted above, my digital key was not working. Based on the talk about iOS updates, I deleted my Mercedes Me app and reloaded it.
Digital Key is now working for me.
estark, try that and see if it works for you.
Digital Key is now working for me.
estark, try that and see if it works for you.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 214
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From: New York
2025 E450 Sedan: 2019 E450 Coupe
Hicksra, thanks, I just reinstalled the app, mine still won’t install the digital key to the phone wallet. Error message “Cannot Add Car Key. Since yours is working I wonder if this is an Apple issue.
Senior Member
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From: DFW Texas
GL450, E450, Porsche 718 GTS
Not sure. I got no messages after reloading the app - it just started working again.
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From: DFW Texas
GL450, E450, Porsche 718 GTS
You might try adding the car key again after you have reloaded the app.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,908
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
Sadley, Digital Key is not available for Android. There is no technical reason why it's not supported. It's a choice by Mercedes to not support it.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 214
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From: New York
2025 E450 Sedan: 2019 E450 Coupe
I did try to install the digital key after reinstalling the mercedes me app, same issue. I think it is possible an Apple issue. Looking forward to the next iOS update.
Wolf, sorry to hear that it is not an Android option.
Wolf, sorry to hear that it is not an Android option.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 65
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From: Dubai
2024 Mercedes E200
Working for me at the moment. iOS 18.1 on the iPhone and Watch OS 11.1.
Although I must admit, the Digital Key in general is not very reliable. I dropped my son to school once with the engine running was locked out of the car, neither the Digital Key not the Mercedes ME unlocked the car. My wife had to bring the physical key to me to open it.
Although I must admit, the Digital Key in general is not very reliable. I dropped my son to school once with the engine running was locked out of the car, neither the Digital Key not the Mercedes ME unlocked the car. My wife had to bring the physical key to me to open it.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 54
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E Class 220 d
Removed my Digital Key from my phone
Deleted my Digital key as I walk the dogs passed my car several times a day, was not keen on door handles popping out unnecessarily. I might be old school but have gone back to just the key. I also had an issue my 12v battery not staying charged as I suspect the car was awake all night talking to my phone. I am ok with this as not all advances are good ones 😀
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Working for me at the moment. iOS 18.1 on the iPhone and Watch OS 11.1.
Although I must admit, the Digital Key in general is not very reliable. I dropped my son to school once with the engine running was locked out of the car, neither the Digital Key not the Mercedes ME unlocked the car. My wife had to bring the physical key to me to open it.
Although I must admit, the Digital Key in general is not very reliable. I dropped my son to school once with the engine running was locked out of the car, neither the Digital Key not the Mercedes ME unlocked the car. My wife had to bring the physical key to me to open it.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
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Deleted my Digital key as I walk the dogs passed my car several times a day, was not keen on door handles popping out unnecessarily. I might be old school but have gone back to just the key. I also had an issue my 12v battery not staying charged as I suspect the car was awake all night talking to my phone. I am ok with this as not all advances are good ones 😀
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 54
Likes: 5
E Class 220 d
Yes but I don’t carry my keys they are in an RFI case at the back of the house , my Apple Watch and phone are with me most of the time and at night by bedroom is just above the car. Interesting that I notice when the door handles open also the usb connector lights up so I suspect a reasonable amount of the car could be awake.
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Joined: Nov 2014
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.
wasn't very convenient because the phone had to be placed near the forward console NFC antenna.
IMO they still do not have the digital key working well enough to be useful without draining the battery.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
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MB experiminted with a limited digital key on the W213 using a smart phone and NFC. It didn't unlock the car and it
wasn't very convenient because the phone had to be placed near the forward console NFC antenna.
IMO they still do not have the digital key working well enough to be useful without draining the battery.
wasn't very convenient because the phone had to be placed near the forward console NFC antenna.
IMO they still do not have the digital key working well enough to be useful without draining the battery.
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
The whole digital key thing feels like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. It's not hard to carry a keyfob in your pocket and even if the battery dies, you can unlock the car with the physical key and start the car by putting the keyfob in the center console. Many people need to carry other keys unless you are using keyless locks at home. I wouldn't trust the digital key to where I don't take the physical keyfob. People lose their phones or drop and break them all the time. You can lose or drop your keyfob too but it's not something that you have out all the time like your phone. Plus the phone battery can die, phone can malfunction, and the list goes on. The keyfob is a much simpler device that is less likely to have an issue due to less complexity. Maybe the tech will improve, but for now, it feels like a gimmick to me.
Last edited by L1Wolf; Nov 19, 2024 at 04:13 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 481
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From: DFW Texas
GL450, E450, Porsche 718 GTS
The whole digital key thing feels like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. It's not hard to carry a keyfob in your pocket and even if the battery dies, you can unlock the car with the physical key and start the car by putting the keyfob in the center console. Many people need to carry other keys unless you are using keyless locks at home. I wouldn't trust the digital key to where I don't take the physical keyfob. People lose their phones or drop and break them all the time. You can lose or drop your keyfob too but it's not something that you have out all the time like your phone. Plus the phone battery can die, phone can malfunction, and the list goes on. The keyfob is a much simpler device that is less likely to have an issue due to less complexity. Maybe the tech will improve, but for now, it feels like a gimmick to me.
Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 229
Likes: 72
From: Poland
GLE
The whole digital key thing feels like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. It's not hard to carry a keyfob in your pocket and even if the battery dies, you can unlock the car with the physical key and start the car by putting the keyfob in the center console. Many people need to carry other keys unless you are using keyless locks at home. I wouldn't trust the digital key to where I don't take the physical keyfob. People lose their phones or drop and break them all the time. You can lose or drop your keyfob too but it's not something that you have out all the time like your phone. Plus the phone battery can die, phone can malfunction, and the list goes on. The keyfob is a much simpler device that is less likely to have an issue due to less complexity. Maybe the tech will improve, but for now, it feels like a gimmick to me.
As for the battery, the way keys in the iPhone wallet work is that the phone maintains a minimal charge even if it seems to die and the screen turns off. So you can use the keys for "up to 5 more hours." You need to set up "Express Mode".
https://support.apple.com/guide/secu...c90cd29d1f/web
