Has anyone with 2025 GLC any experience with the digital vehicle key? According to this page https://www.mbusa.com/en/mercedes-benz-app GLC should have it (Available for 2024 and newer EQS Maybach SUV and E-Class Sedan, 2025 GLC, EQE, EQS, and S-Class), but I can't find any settings/option to set it up either through the MBUX, or the iPhone's Mercedes-Benz app.

 

There's been a thread this week with folks reporting that the Digital Key stopped working for them. If you search, you'll probably find it. One person called Support and after a few runarounds they informed them that the Digital Key is no longer supported in the USA. Not sure how much truth is to that as I haven't seen an official statement, but for now it seems the Digital Key service is either down or it's in fact discontinued. Could also be a temporary incompatibility with iOS 18. FWIW, the below video shows how it should work and how you set it up if the option appears in your app.

 

Working fine in both my 2024 GLC and my wife's 2023 GLE350.

 

Just got the 2025 glc and same here ... no option in app for digital key.

Can anyone help?

 

That's not what OP is asking about. The digital key is a key added to the Apple Wallet turning your phone into a fully functional key fob. Just walk up to the car with the phone in your pocket and you can lock/unlock/start the car just like if you had the key fob on you. But as said, based on several reports it has appeared to stop functioning in the USA.

 

Thanks for clarifying. Sorry for the mistake.

 

Here are the requirements I found in my GLC 350e manual:

I have not received an email from Mercedes about the Digital Vehicle Key and I'm not sure what "equipment" they're taking about. I thought that the Digital Vehicle Key only requires UWB/Bluetooth/NFC and based on info from the page I liked in my first post every 2025 GLC should support it. Maybe I don't see the option to set it up due to the service being down (I hope hat's the case), or it being discontinued, which would be a real shame.

 

New 2025 GLC300 here and no digital key also. I called MB customer support today and they say that the vehicle is "compatible" with digital key but that it "has not been implemented yet, and the records in the system give us no date of when implementation will happen". The dealership says the exact same thing and that many have complained about this missing feature. So basically MB promotes a feature that doesn't exist on the car. Disappointing in so many ways. This was a main feature that we wanted and thought we were getting when buying the GLC300. Expected so much more from MB on many different issues with our first MB.

 

Same here. Picked up 2025 GLC 350e recently here in Canada and was surprised that Digital Vehicle Key option missing from the app. Dealership had no idea. Contacted MB support after few days they came back saying that “In regards to the issue you are facing, please note that we received an update from the App Engineers that, digital key is currently not available for the GLC model x254 Series.”

so no digital vehicle key for 2025 glc models perhaps

 

They should not keep advertising it on MBUSA website, it's so misleading.

 

So fair to say out of all mb models in North America only W214 E class which is the first model to have this feature, has it? What about the CLE?

 

There are always times when new tech comes out with the latest model that won't be available on the current model generations until the facelift or the next generation. The X254 is based on the W206. That platform came out before the W214 which introduced the digital key as the first model. The X254 will probably get it with the facelift at which point it'll get a newer generation of MBUX to catch up to the W214.

 

I believe this is one of the many instances where MB advertises a feature and releases it 1-2 years later. Boyfriend just picked up a 2025 GLC350e. The "equipment" for digital key was listed on the order sheet as "Pre-installation for Digital Vehicle Key for Smartphone" equipment code 896. I believe it will eventually be pushed out as an OTA update for the mobile app and maybe the vehicle. They may also be figuring out if they want to charge for the feature through the Mercedes me store. I doubt there is any regulatory obstacles for digital key, at least in the US, since many other manufacturers have been offering it for years.



This was very similar to my experience with my 2022 W206. I bought it very early on when the new generation was released and it took 1.5 yeas for additional features advertised at launch like navigation (listed as equipment "prewiring for navigation" on order sheet), lane keep, traffic sign assist, and more to become available for purchase from the Mercedes me store.

 

I called my dealer and was advised that digital key is only available on some of the GLC300 cars. She checked mine and told me that it is not available. Perhaps it only is available as an option of with a package that is not on my car.

 

Is there another code required other than the pre-installation 896?

 

I am not sure. I plan to visit the dealer at some point and plan to get a clarification.

 

​​​​​​I see, hope it is all figured out.

 

Ask your dealer for the car's original order sheet, it should have all the package codes listed. I suspect yours will have package 896 equipped since the 2025 GLC order guide lists digital key as standard equipment on all GLC350e models. Again, I think we'll see it for sale on the MM store eventually.

Unfortunately, I've found that most salespeople are very unhelpful when it comes to distinguishing package and equipment like we are able to with the build feature on the mbusa site. I had the same issue with my navigation. The dealership, service department, and even MBUSA customer support said that my C300 did not support navigation due to missing equipment etc even though the build sheet said it had pre-installation for navigation. It randomly showed up on the MM store one day and I've had navigation in the car for two years – which every rep. told me was not possible.

 

I have the same issue. I just took delivery on a 2025 AMG GLC43 Coupe. The order sheet has 896 - Digital Extra: Digital Vehicle Key for Smartphone, but I have had no luck finding options in the MBUX or the app. I am going to reach out to my sales rep in the morning.

 

I just took delivery March 27 and when they set things up at the dealer, paired my phone etc ..... I asked her about the digital key install,, the gal who was very capable, looked at the Mercedes app and then got in the car and said it doesn't show available to install. I was so disappointed because I had been bragging to people about it and thought it would be so so convenient. hopefully it's just a temporary setback, adjustment on MB's part and it will come and we will be alerted!!!
QUOTE=MickeyZ;9068178]Has anyone with 2025 GLC any experience with the digital vehicle key? According to this page https://www.mbusa.com/en/mercedes-benz-app GLC should have it (Available for 2024 and newer EQS Maybach SUV and E-Class Sedan, 2025 GLC, EQE, EQS, and S-Class), but I can't find any settings/option to set it up either through the MBUX, or the iPhone's Mercedes-Benz app.[/QUOTE]

 

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Is it equipped with the prep for digital key option (code?)

 

Yes, I just found it on the extensive printout with all my options and all standard features. Yes 896 is there.......... and I want it!! Ha ha
The car is a total dream to drive however I keep going out to the garage and it's raining today so I'm not going out driving

 

I see, hopefully it will be available later on.

 

The GLC digital key is listed as "delayed availability" for model year 2025 (as of October 2024). No indication when it will come yet.

Digital Vehicle Key availability is delayed. All cars are equipped with DVK but currently nonfunctional. An OTA update will be available in the coming months to activate this feature.

 

I see.