Thank you for your reply. And thanks for your video. From what I can see, remote start feature from the Lexus app uses cellular signal. The digital key setup from the Lexus app uses Bluetooth (not cellular signal) to lock and unlock the door. Without having the Bluetooth on, digital key will not work. Am I correct?

Do you know the range of Bluetooth for locking and unlocking the door remotely? How far away from the car can you stand in order to lock or unlock the vehicle? I read somewhere that the new key fob has a shorter range of 8 feet. Not entirely sure that is true as I can not find anywhere that document it.

 

The fob range is much further than 8 feet. Our car is at the dealer right now and is over 90 miles away. I just hit the unlock button and was told that it could not unlock the car when it was being repaired so I'm pretty sure that means it's using cellular data to lock/unlock.

 

Wow, seriously? Do you have the new 2023 NX350H or the 2022 MY vehicle? I heard the new key fob has much shorter range. I can’t imagine the key fob is using cellular signal as many have said key fob is emitting RF signal.

So, the digital key to lock and unlock the door through Lexus App is actually using cellular signal? The Bluetooth digital key connectivity is just for pairing? Could anyone else confirm this? Thanks. I’m a bit confused on this part now and wondering how this entire digital key works.

 

It's not some magical key fob. LOL. Just the car has a built-in LTE cellular service (currently ATT). The Lexus app "connects" to the Toyota Connected servers and then using the cell connection send a command to the car. It goes both ways also like status of car, accidents, etc. It is the so called IoT (internet of things)- Just like a smart house lighting or smart thermostat.

Part of the reason there is a cost for the cell service, the Connect servers and how much ATT and Toyota want to increased their service monthly stream. It the new revenue stream for car manufactures- they all are dong it or will be soon. BMW's $18 a month attempt to charge you to turn on your heated seat was just the wave.

Also, they can track the hell out of you, so there is an Lexus/Toyota opt-out option to stop some of the tracking and selling of your data. They make you do some jumps to opt-out, otherwise you stay in. They really want you to stay in, BTW . Not sure how much it really does stop them you using your personal data, but it is the current state of lack of privacy protection in the US.



You will eventually get a email from Lexus like this---
This message is a confirmation of a recent change to your Lexus Interface account. Your Data Consent selection was changed for the following services:

Drive Pulse : Opt-Out
If you didn't authorize these changes, or you wish to change additional Data Consents, please visit your Lexus app.


Sincerely,
Lexus Interface This is an automated message, please do not reply.

I love how easy that make it to ask any questions- not!

 

I can understand the car has built in LTE cellular service.

Just to confirm and to clear a few things up from previous posts:
- Key fob transmits RF signal and not Cellular signal
- Within the Lexus app, digital key is paired via Bluetooth.
- Unlock or locking the doors through Lexus app is actually done through cellular signals with internet connectivity and not via Bluetooth.

Is it correct to say that?

 

Yes, that is correct.

 

If Bluetooth is used for just pairing with digital key, do you know if you Bluetooth connectivity is still required after digital key is paired? If it's not required, then Bluetooth can be turned off on the phone and see if locking and unlocking door with the phone via internet connectivity would still work. Has anyone tested that?

 

Yes. BTW, the magical key fob was not meant to b a jab, sorry if you too it that way.

There is a special case when the app/phone is close to the car. Technically, both BT and LTE could available to lock/unlock vis the app. And BT should be faster- no server and network latency.

It seems the digital key (and its starting/locking/unlocking/etc) only works via BT and only if you download the encrypted keys apparently with the apps verifications process. And BT would also work even in a non-cell area. It seems this decision is likely based on a lot of factors- technical, always available BT vs cell, speed, security. sw development, and marketing considerations, etc.

And likely the biggest-- they want you to buy the digital keys (along with the wireless charging for $$480. Cough... There may be som additional HW needed, but my bet it is mostly SW, marketing and profit.

 

You would also need the Bluetooth connectivity if you wanted to start the car.

I'm not sure if anyone has tried this, but I do not see why it wouldn't work since both processes are mutually exclusive. You should always be able to use the app to lock or unlock whether you have the digital key or FOB available.

 

Someone mentioned that Bluetooth connectivity is not required to start the car remotely through the Lexus app and it does not require a digital key or key fob to do that.

The pairing of digital key with the Lexus app definitely requires Bluetooth. If you check out the video below, you will see that there are Bluetooth symbols on the lock and unlock buttons for the door in the Lexus app. This is why I wonder if Bluetooth connection is still required for unlocking/locking the door in conjunction with the internet connectivity OR the Bluetooth connectivity is purely for pairing only and the unlocking/locking the door would only need to go through internet connectivity. This is not clearly explained anywhere (at least I can't find any documentation on that).

 

I'm sorry I was not more clear albundy999 - I did this using the Lexus app but *not* the digital key thing. We do not have the digital key on our car.

Randy

 

Maybe I'm confused about what you are asking...

If all you wish to do is start the car remotely, then all you need is the app with a Remote Connect Subscription and Internet connectivity. You do not need Bluetooth connectivity, Digital Key, Key Fob, or Key Card.

If you wish to use the Digital Key as an alternative to a Key Fob or Key Card, then you need Bluetooth connectivity and Internet connectivity. This is explained in the following link:

HOW DO I USE THE DIGITAL KEY FEATURES?

 

Thank you, the above URL explains clearly.

 

We had nearly the exact same issue with our nx back in Jan when delivered. Turned out that it was the first one to show up at our dealership, and was used by the staff for training on the new systems. Because someone activated services on the car, with a different account, some features in the app didn't work at all.

We called corporate, they removed the previous associated accounts from there systems, we reset back to defaults and started over from scratch with the app and all the misc customizations. After that, digital keys worked as they should.

 

I just got off the phone with Lexus support. They asked me to delete the app and reinstall it. So, from inside the car, I reinstalled the software, allowing all requested access (e.g., allow access to location, etc.)

Believe it or not, the digital key works!