One-third of eligible customers choose smartphone-based car access over traditional keys in first year of availability
19 Aug 2025 | 1611 Views | By Angitha Suresh
Hyundai Motor India Limited has recorded a 33% enrollment rate for its Digital Key feature among customers of select vehicle models, according to company data released Monday. The technology allows smartphone and smartwatch users to unlock, lock, and start their vehicles without physical keys.
The Digital Key feature launched ...
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Hyundai Motor India Limited has recorded a 33% enrollment rate for its Digital Key feature among customers of select vehicle models, according to company data released Monday. The technology allows smartphone and smartwatch users to unlock, lock, and start their vehicles without physical keys.
The Digital Key feature launched in September 2024 with the Hyundai ALCAZAR and was later introduced to the CRETA Electric model in January 2025. The system operates through Near Field Communication (NFC) technology via the Hyundai Bluelink mobile application.
Usage data shows 68% of Digital Key users operate iOS devices while 32% use Android devices. Additionally, 35% of users actively share digital access with family members and friends, with the system supporting up to three users or seven linked devices simultaneously.
The technology functions by allowing users to tap compatible devices on the vehicle's door handle for locking and unlocking, while starting the car requires placing the device on the wireless charging pad. Users can also utilize dedicated NFC cards as an alternative to smartphones or smartwatches.
"The enthusiastic response to Digital Key reaffirms our belief in creating technology that adds real value to everyday life," said Unsoo Kim, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor India Limited, in a company statement.
Hyundai positions itself as the first original equipment manufacturer to introduce connected car technology in India, having launched such features in 2019. The company indicates plans to expand Digital Key availability to additional vehicle models in the future.
The digital access system allows key revocation at any time and eliminates concerns about misplacing physical keys. Current availability remains limited to select variants of the ALCAZAR and CRETA Electric models.