GoKawiilDigital car keys carry unique risks despite blocking relay attacks
Digital car keys, which rely on UWB or NFC to confirm phone proximity, avoid the relay attacks that plague traditional key fobs. However, they introduce new vulnerabilities: a stolen or dead phone could theoretically lock owners out or grant access to thieves, though automakers build in safeguards like remote lockdown features and reserve battery power for NFC access lasting up to five hours after a phone dies.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
As automakers increasingly replace physical fobs with smartphone-based access, understanding these tradeoffs matters for consumer security and convenience. The shift places more responsibility on users to secure their phones with strong authentication, since a compromised device becomes a potential vehicle access point rather than just a communication tool.
- Digital keys resist fob-style relay attacks by requiring the phone to be physically near the car.
- A stolen phone poses a new risk, mitigated by remote lock features like Apple's CarKey lockdown.
- Dead phone batteries aren't a dealbreaker—NFC reserve power keeps digital keys functional for hours.
Anker Nano Power Bank — If your digital car key lives on your phone, a dead battery means a locked-out driver \a a built-in USB-C connector plugs straight into the phone with no cable to forget. Toss it in a bag or glovebox as cheap insurance for the exact scenario the article warns about.
See Anker Nano Power Bank on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Christine Persaud, 2026-08-24
Published there as: “The biggest downsides to using a digital car key”
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