I just got a notice of an OTA to update the digital key. I don't have this ability since I use Android and it only supports Apple. As usual, there are no details as to what has changed. Maybe they will now support Android. I'll wait a bit before installing it.
No Android support. There are very few current Android devices that have support for UWB (Ultra-wideband) which is how the digital key communicates with the car. There was an older version of the digital key that MB had in Europe which only supports Android, but it uses NFC, so you have to take your phone out and tap it against the door handle, then place it on the dedicated spot inside to be able to start the engine, instead of just walking up to the car and getting in as you do with the key fob.
There might not be much for the W214 in this update, but the C236 and W206 are supposed to get an OTA update to enable the digital key.
I've had an Android phone that supports UWB for nearly 5 years. Every Samsung S since the S21 supports it as do the Pixel 6 or higher phones. In fact more Android phones than Apple phones support UWB. Absolutely no reason to exclude Android due to technology.
I don’t have an update notice - yet. I almost wish I didn’t have it on my phone. I’ve never had the guts to rely on it and leave the fob at home and it’s kind of annoying to have the car wake up and the door handles pop out every time I walk near the car at home when I have my phone.
I don’t have an update notice - yet. I almost wish I didn’t have it on my phone. I’ve never had the guts to rely on it and leave the fob at home and it’s kind of annoying to have the car wake up and the door handles pop out every time I walk near the car at home when I have my phone.
I likely wouldn't use it either. Still be nice to have the option. 😛
Do you think the update could be making it available for Android phones?
Hard to say. I would think they would have made some type of announcement if so. The only statement is that "This update improves general stability and device compatibility for Digital vehicle key". What that means is anyone's guess. I'll likely install it over the weekend and find out unless someone else does it first.
If they added support for Android, it'd likely require an update for the app first. The iOS Digital Key support was preceded by an update to the app first and it was stated in the release notes.
Interesting that it does say “device compatibility”. That could infer making it compatible with Android.
Could also mean the iPhone 16 which was released after the W214 came out. There have been cases where the Digital Key suddenly stopped working for some people, so there do seem to be bugs or potential compatibility issues at the moment, even as-is. It's also interesting to note that MB found it necessary to not ship the CLE with Digital Key support enabled, even though the hardware is there. There clearly seem to be kinks that they are still working out.
Some people had issues after updating the app or updating iOS, but as with many elusive bugs, it doesn't always affect everybody. No two phones are configured and used the same way.
This update is very different than all the past updates. I allowed it to begin when started an hour long drive home. When it finished it said that I must turn the car off before I could continue with the update. Once I got home and parked in the garage I hit continue and it walked me through a series of steps. The car had to be parked in a safe place and parking brake engaged with engine shut off. Once turned off I had to press a button for 3 seconds when ready. The vehicle must then be locked from the outside within 1 minute or the update will cancel. While the update is running you cannot use the vehicle for 25 minutes and the theft protection will be disabled. Charging cannot be initiated (for PHEV versuons) and it made a point about the update cannot be canceled once started. It was a lot more prescriptive then all the prior updates. I haven't gone back out to check on it, but I did hit the timeout because I had to get several things from the car before I locked it. I had to get back in, and start / stop the car before it would allow me to continue again. I've attached some screen shots of what the process looked like.
That makes sense as this is an update to a security core function. Basically the whole locking and ignition system is going offline while it's being updated, so no locking/unlocking/starting the car while the update is in progress.
One thing to keep in mind is that the 1 minute time limit was not mentioned in the instructions. When you start the process, don't take your time like I did to exit and lock the vehicle. Otherwise, you will have to start the process again. Not a big deal, but a hassle none the less.
One thing to keep in mind is that the 1 minute time limit was not mentioned in the instructions. When you start the process, don't take your time like I did to exit and lock the vehicle. Otherwise, you will have to start the process again. Not a big deal, but a hassle none the less.
I have not received the notification regarding the availability of the OTA upgrade yet for either one of our W214. However, your sharing of your experience of the process (even with some screen shots) is greatly appreciated and will be invaluable as a guide when the time comes for my turn to upgrade.Thanks!
Still no OTA update here either, let's see and wait what happens even though I barely ever rely on my digital key as it can be a hit or miss sometimes.
@L1Wolf, are you in the beta test group? Maybe you’re a guinea pig.
Yeah, I realize how one of my past statements of not wanting to be the guinea pig is a bit ironic now. I figured what the heck and thought I'll try this update. I don't use the digital key anyway (Android) so I wasn't concerned with loosing that if it failed.
I have opted in to the beta program, but that is for new features and not what this update is. You have to opt in to the beta program and then have to opt in to each feature as they become available. The only two currently available are FYI radio and Collectibles NFT gallery. I started to look into FYI but its quite vague on what it really is and NFTs I find useless. There was a feedback app and the enhanced ChatGPT based voice response that have both ended their beta. I believe the ChatGPT functions were incorporated in a production update but I never really considered it much of an improvement.
I got in the car today to see if there was any info on the update and if Android was added. All I got was a notice of successfully updating. Nothing that would appear Android is now supported. Maybe a phone app update is still needed, but I doubt it.
If it ever does come to Android, I would use it as a backup to the physical key. If I were to lose the key while out and about, I could use the digital key instead. For now, all I can do is unlock the car with Android, but cannot drive it.
If it ever does come to Android, I would use it as a backup to the physical key. If I were to lose the key while out and about, I could use the digital key instead. For now, all I can do is unlock the car with Android, but cannot drive it.
Yeah, I'm rather torn on the usefulness of the digital key. The best use case for it is to temporarily allow a guest to use the car for a given time period by just sending them a time restricted digital key, or as you say a backup in case you lose your fob. The key fob is the only key I'm still carrying, albeit only when I'm driving, but otherwise the keys to my house etc. are all digital. However, my locks have keypads, so there's a built-in backup in case the digital key or my phone is on the fritz. This way I can always get into the house. The car doesn't have such a built-in backup, so seems way too risky to use the digital key as the main key and potentially end up stranded 50 miles from home if it acts up for some reason. Lincoln and some other American brands I believe still have that keypad in the door frame, so you unlock the car with just a code and also start it with the code. Sometimes I feel things get overengineered and then end up not being as useful as a simpler solution such as a built-in keypad and code to unlock and start the car.
I have not received the notification about the update. I have the digital key. It is helpful, but I have not left home without the key, just in case.....
I use the digital key on my iPhone 16 and my Apple Watch regularly and find it to be quite reliable. That said, I usually try to have my key fob on me for piece of mind. I find it quite convenient, for example, when I need to go out to the locked car to get something and I can quickly get in while the keys are in a drawer in the house. There’s been a few times that I’ve forgotten my keys and realized I was driving with the digital key only and had absolutely zero issues.
I use the digital key on my iPhone 16 and my Apple Watch regularly and find it to be quite reliable. That said, I usually try to have my key fob on me for piece of mind. I find it quite convenient, for example, when I need to go out to the locked car to get something and I can quickly get in while the keys are in a drawer in the house. There’s been a few times that I’ve forgotten my keys and realized I was driving with the digital key only and had absolutely zero issues.
Unlocking/locking to get something from the car has been possible before with the app already, so that's not something new, although it's more convenient now. The moment you feel you need the fob on you for piece of mind is when it becomes clear that it's not really that great if you can't trust it. You are essentially driving with two keys in your pocket. Not even clear which one is the active one at the time.
I got answer from Mercedes still do not support Androids despite I got the compatibility link by mercedes app email notification and it says it supports. They appologize and say it is internal web page and they are very sorry and Samsung notified about support too early and they are working on it... https://moba.i.mercedes-benz.com/bai..._CA/index.html
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
