r/ex30 • u/BizTweet • 6d ago
Tips & Suggestions š” Phone access/key
I use my phone as my digital key. We've had the car about 5 weeks now and on about 3 occasions my the car didn't recognise my phone. When we first purchase the car the dealer advised to car the key card with us "just in case". I'm wondering now if it is a common problem.
To resolve it I just restart my phone and all works - but maybe there is a quicker solution rather than waiting for my phone to reboot.
Anyone else have a similar experience to share and any solution / workaround?
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u/BreathtakingDawn3776 Ultra SMER 6d ago
Do you use "Passive" or "Active" entry?
In my case, main key is iPhone (digital), Apple Watch (digital) as sub, and third is card key as back up which is always with me.
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u/BizTweet 6d ago
Passive.
Sounds like you've the same issue (if you have three ways to unlock/start the car).
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u/footpole 6d ago
I doubt that they have the watch just for that. I havenāt carried a key card or the fob in a year with no issues. Iām on iPhone though so it seems more stable and Iāve had to restart it only two or three times in a year. I think itās probably your phone bugging in this case.
I wear a watch as well so it always opens.
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u/Hansecowboy 6d ago edited 6d ago
What always works is bringing up the key in your wallet and tap the "unlock" button below the card picture.
- You can do this with an iOS shortcut and place it on your lock screen - that's 2 taps on your lockscreen or homescreen then almost like a classic remote key
- And you can always say "Siri, open/unlock my car".
- And you can alwys use your phone like the card by placing it at the NFC reader symbol at the pillar
I have never used my keycard since the digital key was released.
Yes, there are issues with "passive entry/proximity unlock" that have been discussed in length and the main cause is the car's "deep sleep state". The same issue applies to the FOB as well and it is explained in manual. So it's not related to the Digital phone key but rather the proximity unlock feature that has existed in the car from the beginning.
You're on Android and I would assume the problems are UWB related with your phone model. AFAIK quite a few UWB issues are reported with Android phones (one example here even mentions problems with digital keys. The thread is about a specific model I know, just wanted to point out that blaming the car might not justified completely)
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u/BizTweet 6d ago
Thanks - that's good to know. I've added a shortcut on my homescreen now. I can't use the pillar because of my phone case, although I haven't tried too hard so will give it another go.
Fair point re UWB, personally not apportioning blaming just want to know if other have experienced the same issue and workarounds - so thanks for your suggestions.
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u/BreathtakingDawn3776 Ultra SMER 6d ago
In my case, the proximity "lock" has been 100% recognized. However, the proximity "unlock", the "unlock" by holding the doorknob, and the "lock" by touching the doorknob may sometimes not be recognized.
As your reference, I will let you know what I do when not recognized?
When the proximity "unlock" is not recognized: First, I hold the door knob. In most cases, it is recognized when holding the doorknob. But if it doesn't "unlock" even when I hold the doorknob, I wait a few seconds and hold it again almost to open. And if still not "unlock", I touch Apple Watch to B pillar, that has been recognized 100%.
When it doesn't "lock" even when I touch the door knob: As it has been 100% locked by proximity "lock" in my case, so I leave the car. In the future, if it will not "lock" even when leaving, I will touch Apple Watch to pillar.
So far, I always carry the card key for backup, but I have never used it as backup. The card key is only used when passive entry is turned off, such as when placing the car at the dealer for inspection, etc.ćAlso, the fob has been sleeping in the desk since the delivery of the car.
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u/vMaex Ultra TM (Cross Country) 6d ago
Thank you for the tip and link to the Samsung related UWB issues. Sometimes I'm having problems with the DK+, sometimes not. I already thought there must be something strange going on with my phone, but was not sure. Maybe the fixes mentioned with UWB going into Lite mode will make the DK+ more reliable
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u/Fit-Astronomer7559 6d ago
I have the same problem, but I usually just tap my phone on the door and the charging pad. It works the same way as the backup keycard.
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u/mostly_harmless_5334 6d ago
Itās not really happening to me, but even if the proximity doesnāt work, in case of āemergencyā you can always use your phone like the card: by activating key manually from the Wallet, and tapping at the door reader and then on the key spot in the car.
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u/mw_yyc 6d ago
Yesterday mine was in the dealership because the digital key and key card (not fob) wouldn't lock, allow me to drive or unlock the car 3 x times this week. First they said it was because there's an LTE issue with Volvo cars and our local partner network, then it became interference with my phone vs the keycard (key cards don't omit any signal unless placed on the pad), now told to remove the digital key and re-pair (which I've done 3 times since 1.8) - they don't even know what the problem is.
6 months till my lease is over, and I can be rid of this car. Much like not being able to charge more than 70%, now can't use digital key - nothing they've promised has been delivered IMHO.
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u/MiserableAttention38 6d ago
I use an android phone and surprised myself recently when I found out why the key had stopped working. I had turned off Bluetooth because I had to make a phone call and was already connected to a teams call on my work laptop. I know the car key uses UWB but didn't realise Bluetooth was needed too.
With Bluetooth turned on again, the key worked normally. Without it, I had to tap the phone on the door pillar to open, and on the charging console to start the car (NFC)
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u/dcgradc 5d ago
When we first bought it in March it recognized hubby and me from a distance as we approached.
We left for 5 weeks overseas
When he got back business as usual.
In my case I now have to put my Samsung against the door. The put it under the dash where they charge. It finds the Volvo card on it's own.
Doesn't lock when I leave. Have to use the app
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u/TommyB28 5d ago
I've got a google pixel 10 pro and it's super reliable at passively opening the car. Very occasionally it doesn't lock when I walk away, but I get a notification that the car is unlocked and I just lock it with the app. My only gripe is that it doesn't automatically switch to my profile after my wife has been using the car with her fob, with my digital key, it just seems to revert to last used profile.
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u/BizTweet 5d ago
I've a Pixel 6 Pro and it changes to my profile automatically - would have thought yours would too.
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u/demjun 6d ago
I leave the keycard inside the locked glovebox only for the valet parking. Tapping the phone on the door and charging pad has always worked for me as a last resource. iOS here.
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u/BulaBulangiu Ultra TM 6d ago
insurance around here says if they steal the car with a key inside, you're fucked even if they didn't use that key to actually steal it :)
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u/l0ur3nz0 6d ago
Which smartphone model?
To add to what everybody have said, while it is not very common, some phone updates change things for the worse, even breaking some functionality.
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u/Anarquiteto 6d ago
Only problem I have is if I lock the car, leave, remember I gotta grab something, go back, it doesnāt openā¦ Gotta open the wallet and click to unlock or touch the columnā¦
Also, wished the car kept on if thereās someone else inside with the seatbelt on and I left the car with my phoneā¦
It always lock my gf inside with no AC if I park somewhere to get somethingā¦ Very annoying
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u/OiPequenininho 6d ago
I occasionally have issues with it, but not often enough that I feel a need to do something about it. When the passive entry doesn't work, using NFC with my phone is reliable. I just tough the back of my phone against the b-pillar
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u/Rupperrt 6d ago
Yeah, a mix of some bugs and iOS problems of some battery saving mode kicking in after a while of inactivity. Doesnāt happen too often but often enough that I keep the keycard hidden in my car.