[442]

I was hoping the digital key would be able to operate through bluetooth or possibly another proximity connection method and not just the Internet to ensure the best possible chance of being able to actually operate your own vehicle in areas with spotty cell service, but it looks like you need clear coverage for both AT&T and whatever cell service you use in order to use your phone as key.

I wonder how many people are going to get locked out of their vehicles because the cell reception is poor at their destination. All these warnings make me think it's not even worth trying out.

Above all else, I love the precaution, "Do not allow your smartphone to be stolen."

4-1. Key information - Owner's Manual Page 163

Digital Key

A smartphone can be used instead of the electronic key of the vehicle by installing the dedicated Digital Key App on a smartphone. Also, Digital Key can be shared with your family or friends using the Digital Key App.

Digital key usage conditions

In order to use the Digital Key, you need to install the SUBARU Solterra Connect Mobile App, Register the Vehicle to the customer’s SUBARU Solterra Connect Mobile App profile, and subscribe to Remote Services, and enroll in Digital Key.

Digital key precautions

A Digital Key can be used when the smartphone and server can communicate. The Digital Key may become unusable if the smartphone is not connected to the Internet. Be sure to carry the electronic key of the vehicle if traveling to a location with unreliable communications.

If the smartphone battery is depleted, the smartphone cannot be used as Digital Key. If the battery level is low, be sure to charge the smartphone prior to going out.

The Digital Key system is related to the Smart key system. If the Smart key system has been deactivated in the vehicle customization setting, the Digital Key will also be disabled.

Depending on the radio wave environment, the Digital Key may not be able to be used.

When transferring vehicle ownership, make sure to delete the Digital Keys.

If the vehicle is not operated for 14 days or more, the Digital Key will not connect automatically. Therefore, it may take some time before the system operates after a door handle is touched.

A part of the services may be stopped for a certain period of time due to server maintenance. However, registered Digital Keys can be used during the maintenance.

A smartphone with the Digital Key App enabled will be able to lock and unlock the doors, start the EV system and perform any other operations as same as the electronic key of the vehicle. Be especially careful not to lose the smartphone or allow it to be stolen. If the smartphone is lost or stolen, contact your SUBARU dealer immediately.

When taking your vehicle to a SUBARU dealer for an inspection or repairs, make sure to bring an electronic key.

 

[Crumas]

I was hoping the digital key would be able to operate through bluetooth or possibly another proximity connection method and not just the Internet to ensure the best possible chance of being able to actually operate your own vehicle in areas with spotty cell service, but it looks like you need clear coverage for both AT&T and whatever cell service you use in order to use your phone as key.

I wonder how many people are going to get locked out of their vehicles because the cell reception is poor at their destination. All these warnings make me think it's not even worth trying out.

Above all else, I love the precaution, "Do not allow your smartphone to be stolen."

4-1. Key information - Owner's Manual Page 163

Digital Key

A smartphone can be used instead of the electronic key of the vehicle by installing the dedicated Digital Key App on a smartphone. Also, Digital Key can be shared with your family or friends using the Digital Key App.

Digital key usage conditions

In order to use the Digital Key, you need to install the SUBARU Solterra Connect Mobile App, Register the Vehicle to the customer’s SUBARU Solterra Connect Mobile App profile, and subscribe to Remote Services, and enroll in Digital Key.

Digital key precautions

A Digital Key can be used when the smartphone and server can communicate. The Digital Key may become unusable if the smartphone is not connected to the Internet. Be sure to carry the electronic key of the vehicle if traveling to a location with unreliable communications.

If the smartphone battery is depleted, the smartphone cannot be used as Digital Key. If the battery level is low, be sure to charge the smartphone prior to going out.

The Digital Key system is related to the Smart key system. If the Smart key system has been deactivated in the vehicle customization setting, the Digital Key will also be disabled.

Depending on the radio wave environment, the Digital Key may not be able to be used.

When transferring vehicle ownership, make sure to delete the Digital Keys.

If the vehicle is not operated for 14 days or more, the Digital Key will not connect automatically. Therefore, it may take some time before the system operates after a door handle is touched.

A part of the services may be stopped for a certain period of time due to server maintenance. However, registered Digital Keys can be used during the maintenance.

A smartphone with the Digital Key App enabled will be able to lock and unlock the doors, start the EV system and perform any other operations as same as the electronic key of the vehicle. Be especially careful not to lose the smartphone or allow it to be stolen. If the smartphone is lost or stolen, contact your SUBARU dealer immediately.

When taking your vehicle to a SUBARU dealer for an inspection or repairs, make sure to bring an electronic key.

The primary issue isn’t lack of communication between phone and car, it’s that the shared-secret approach requires communication between phone and server, and in turn between server and car.

 

[442]

The primary issue isn’t lack of communication between phone and car, it’s that the shared-secret approach requires communication between phone and server, and in turn between server and car.

It's completely feasible to use asymmetric encryption and a different communication medium other than the Internet to facilitate direct negotiation between device and car, just as using your phone for payment at a point of sale system functions. That would allow using the digital key in areas without cell connectivity issues.

 

[Crumas]

It's completely feasible to use asymmetric encryption and a different communication medium other than the Internet to facilitate direct negotiation between device and car, just as using your phone for payment at a point of sale system functions. That would allow using the digital key in areas without cell connectivity issues.

I completely agree… Subaru could have implemented something like this, but I’m guessing they decided to rely on a third party’s existing solution. I’m actually a CISSP, so I have a tiny bit of familiarity with authentication mechanisms, lol.

 

[BinPNW]

Following this up. Whatever system Subaru has, now or in the future, I really hope they focus on hardening it from hackers. Here are some examples (not Subaru, granted)

Teslas are susceptible to hacking due to bluetooth locks, cybersecurity firm says

Teslas are among the most susceptible vehicles to be hacked due to their Bluetooth locks, cybersecurity firm NCC Group said. The cars can be remotely unlocked and controlled by hackers that can exploit a vulnerability in the Bluetooth system’s security, the group said. NCC Group researcher...

www.teslarati.com

Pwn2Own 2022: Windows 11, Ubuntu, Firefox, Safari, Tesla and more hacked - gHacks Tech News

The hacking event Pwn2Own took place from May 18 to May 20 of 2022. This year, security researchers managed to hack Windows 11 and Ubuntu, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Teams, a Tesla and other targets successfully during the three days of the event.

www.ghacks.net

 

[n6nl]

My (unlikely situation for most of us, I hope) thought is to be using the phone as the digital key when you get pulled over for a felony stop and they want you to shut off the car and throw the keys out the window. Hah.

But concerns about hackability are definitely on my mind, too.

 

[md.]

I know this has been posted before, but it seems like a good thing to attach to this thread.

 

[Bam]

Be great if they would do an activity key like landrover where it deactivates the normal key when in use.

 

[Ducatista]

Apple has essentially made it easy for car manufacturers by developing their phone as a key technology with Apple wallet. All these companies need to stop trying to handle all the tech themselves sometimes. Lean on Apple and Google more.

 

[bob E]

Here's a sad story about some folks getting locked out of their car because they took it to a remote area:

How Not to Go Off the Grid

Adventure seekers trying to get away from it all find they can’t get back into their Zipcar; ‘get away, disconnect, detach from everything’

www.wsj.com

I liked this comment: "An Olympic National Park ranger station has even posted a sign warning this can happen."

There should be more signs of Prohibited Areas (a la Mad Max) where cars with digital keys are not allowed.

 

[442]

Here's a sad story about some folks getting locked out of their car because they took it to a remote area:

How Not to Go Off the Grid

Adventure seekers trying to get away from it all find they can’t get back into their Zipcar; ‘get away, disconnect, detach from everything’

www.wsj.com

I liked this comment: "An Olympic National Park ranger station has even posted a sign warning this can happen."

There should be more signs of Prohibited Areas (a la Mad Max) where cars with digital keys are not allowed.

Yep, exactly why I started this thread -- it seemed pretty obvious this was going to be an issue sooner or later.

It also applies to navigation, so as you are driving there's a distinct possibility the map could just stop working and any directions you may need will be unavailable. I'm hoping some reviewers do something to test out all the connected components individually by driving into known areas without AT&T (plus whatever carrier you use) cell service.

 

[Peterd15]

Yep, exactly why I started this thread -- it seemed pretty obvious this was going to be an issue sooner or later.

It also applies to navigation, so as you are driving there's a distinct possibility the map could just stop working and any directions you may need will be unavailable. I'm hoping some reviewers do something to test out all the connected components individually by driving into known areas without AT&T (plus whatever carrier you use) cell service.

But this is the same with any phone navigation you would use, either android or apple. It will cache the route and keep giving instructions until you reach your destination unless you veer of course then it cannot recalculate. I haven’t used a non connected navigation system in 10 years.

 

[442]

But this is the same with any phone navigation you would use, either android or apple. It will cache the route and keep giving instructions until you reach your destination unless you veer of course then it cannot recalculate. I haven’t used a non connected navigation system in 10 years.

You haven’t had TomTom or Garmin in-vehicle nav for 2 decades? I have in 20+ cars, and I have 2 Subaru’s right now (a 2018 and 2019) that navigate just fine without a cell connection.

Superimposing the view of a cell phone on a vehicle system does solve a problem, it just creates a fallacy in the justification.

 

[Snow Drift]

I haven't used Garmin since the early 2000s. I either use OEM in-dash, for our Tesla, or I use Apple Car Play in-dash for Waze.

Our Tesla uses LTE for streaming, navigation, etc. If the LTE cuts out, we lose traffic-based updates. The navigation still continues on it's original plan. Waze is the same, if my phone loses connection, it just keeps giving me directions.

When I used to use OEM in-dash from Subaru, it was Satellite and DVD (then SD Card?) based maps. But those systems are so clunky that I will happily take Waze/Apple Car Play any day. It works great.

****
On topic... our Tesla uses Bluetooth NFC to open the door/turn the car on via your phone. It works very very well (leave it in your pocket). It does not need LTE or anything to work. If you don't have your phone, you use your "key card" and hover it over the B-pillar (great for Valet).

LTE need is for using the app to connect to the car for remote actions (HVAC, honk, status updates), and WiFi is needed to download OTA updates.

 

[442]

… It works great.

Until you visit the Olympic Mountains

 

[Snow Drift]

Until you visit the Olympic Mountains

I can see it being an issue if you try to start your trip in the mountains without good service. At that point you have an issue, and satellite based systems would be better.

OR, if you know this will be an issue in advance, (I do this for Europe), you can use Google Maps and download an entire region of the map onto your phone. Google Maps will navigate based on this saved data (anywhere on the map, not just a specific route).

 

[442]

I can see it being an issue if you try to start your trip in the mountains without good service. At that point you have an issue, and satellite based systems would be better.

OR, if you know this will be an issue in advance, (I do this for Europe), you can use Google Maps and download an entire region of the map onto your phone. Google Maps will navigate based on this saved data (anywhere on the map, not just a specific route).

Again, all your “solutions“ (and you’re definitely not alone as this has been well discussed in other threads) are based on “but your phone does this” and not that it’s a deficiency in the vehicle design--which is what this thread is about. People relying on the digital key can get stranded. Period.

 

[Bam]

With the cost of satellite data services continuing to drop it might not be too long until we get the best of both worlds!

 

[Snow Drift]

Again, all your “solutions“ (and you’re definitely not alone as this has been well discussed in other threads) are based on “but your phone does this” and not that it’s a deficiency in the vehicle design--which is what this thread is about. People relying on the digital key can get stranded. Period.

So you want the car to have an OEM satellite based system and navigation that is as good as Waze? Sure, that would be great.

No one should be relying on a digital key alone. I always have my key card in my wallet. That is what you give valet. Even with the Solterra I would have the fob on me. The digital key app is nice for preconditioning the car, charge status, tracking, or if you happen to run out to the garage at home and your fob is upstairs on the nightstand.