Digital Key Considerations

Posted on 17 June 2025 Print

The intermingling of technology and automobiles continues, with digital key offerings from most vehicle makers. Digital keys utilize smartphone technology to expand vehicle access and owner convenience. How does this affect repairs? Let’s take a look.

Digital keys can be combined with app-based connected services or offered separately. Many vehicle makers have started reducing the number of physical keys/key fobs provided at the initial sale and are replacing them with digital keys.

These digital keys can be accessed with a smartphone, smartwatch, or specialized credit card. These devices generally use near-field communication (NFC) or Bluetooth for connection, which makes proximity to the vehicle important.

This is the same technology used in smart key fobs, but by utilizing a smart device, a vehicle maker can include additional functions beyond those of the smart key fob.

In this series, we will help you locate resources and highlight any repair considerations pertaining to digital keys.

To learn more about the certification, testing, and the technology behind NFC and digital keys, check out the following websites:

  • NFC Forum
    • Per the website: “The NFC Forum is the governing body of the standard and a compliance program that ensures the reliability and interoperability of connections.”
  • Car Connectivity Consortium
    • Per the website: “Our mission is to standardize the connected ecosystem around vehicles and devices with solutions that combine convenience, security, and privacy protections.”

Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:

  • Your 2025 Favorites: Top Articles Friday, 16 January 2026

    As 2026 rolls in, we can reflect back on what the previous year had to offer. Let's take a look at some of the collision industry information you've been most interested in from this past year....

  • App-Based Connected Services Considerations: Toyota/Lexus Thursday, 15 January 2026

    Have you had the experience where the vehicle notified the owner that it was being moved while it was in your repair facility? App-based connected services are available from many vehicle makers and may...

  • Digital Key Considerations: Toyota/Lexus Thursday, 15 January 2026

    The intermingling of technology and automobiles continues, with digital key offerings from most vehicle makers. Digital keys utilize smartphone technology to expand vehicle access and owner...

  • Nissan/INFINITI Position Statements: Advanced Driver Assistance System Components Thursday, 8 January 2026

    Nissan/INFINITI released position statements on the use of salvaged, aftermarket, and "secondary-market" advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) components.

  • I-CAR Repairers Realm: RTS 2025 Year In Review - Now Available Tuesday, 6 January 2026

    I-CAR had a discussion on the Repairability Technical Support (RTS) 2025 year in review.

  • Ford On Target 2025: Volume 4 Monday, 5 January 2026

    Ford has released the fourth installment of their On Target publication for 2025.

  • Structural Sectioning Procedures: Ford/Lincoln - UPDATE Friday, 19 December 2025

    Ask I-CAR receives many technical inquiries referring to sectioning. The collision repair industry wants to know where can you section, does the OEM have a sectioning procedure, and where can I find the...

  • Body Repair Manual Symbols: Hyundai Wednesday, 17 December 2025

    While looking at repair procedures in a body repair manual (BRM) you may notice that symbols are used to indicate specific operations or parts to be used during the repair process. Most BRMs provide a...

  • Body Repair Manual Symbols: Genesis Wednesday, 17 December 2025

    While looking at repair procedures in a body repair manual (BRM) you may notice that symbols are used to indicate specific operations or parts to be used during the repair process. Most BRMs provide a...

  • App-Based Connected Services Considerations: BMW Wednesday, 10 December 2025

    Have you had an experience where the vehicle notified the owner that it was being moved while it was in your repair facility? App-based connected services are available from many vehicle makers and...