Hey everyone,
I just got a 2025 Tucson, and I’m a bit freaked out about using the Digital Key instead of a traditional key. Maybe it’s just my age, but I keep worrying about a couple of things: what if I have no signal? What if my phone dies?
Has anyone here used the Digital Key exclusively? How has your experience been? Any tips to ease my worries?
When you ask about what happens if there’s no signal, it shows that you might not fully understand the Digital Key. If you can’t keep your phone charged, you can use the Digital Key Card instead.
If you have an iOS device, the digital key should work for up to 5 hours after your phone dies. As others have mentioned, it doesn’t need a cell signal to function. Just a disclaimer: I haven’t actually tested this with a 2025 Tucson yet. I’d love to hear about anyone’s experience using the digital key on iOS specifically…
I use the digital key a lot to start my car in the summer and winter. One night, I decided to use it so I wouldn’t have to carry my keys in my small purse. Unfortunately, the app was down later that night for updates, and I ended up having to call a locksmith to get back in. 
Lesson learned! Still, I use it all the time.
Does digital key even work on iOS?
My experience with the digital key is that it’s a bit touchy. I have no issues with the key fob; it always works perfectly.
Using the digital key can be hit or miss. Sometimes it works every time, but other times, I have to adjust the phone’s position on the door and the NFC pad in the car.
You can get a physical card to use as a digital key, but at $40, I’m too cheap to try it out…
I believe it uses Bluetooth, so you don’t need a cell signal for it to work. The reasons you mentioned are why I don’t use it much either. It’s convenient if I’m outside and need to get into the car without going back inside for my keys, or as an emergency backup if I lose my keys. But I probably wouldn’t rely on it for everyday use.