Once your phone unlocks and starts your car, it is tempting to put the physical keys in a drawer and forget about them. Should you? Our short answer is: keep them, and keep them safe. Phone as car key is built to work alongside your original keys, not to replace them, and there are good everyday reasons to have a physical key you can reach when you need it.
This post explains how the digital key and your physical keys work together, the situations where a physical key still matters, and what to think about if you only have one physical key today.
Your physical keys keep working
Phone as car key does not switch off your existing keys. Your original physical keys continue to work normally. We usually program the digital car key module as your third key, so it sits alongside the keys you already have.
That gives you a choice. Many drivers use their phone every day and leave the original keys safely at home, which reduces the risk of losing or damaging them. The keys are still there if you need them.
Why a physical key still matters
Your phone runs out of battery
Phones go flat, usually at the worst moment: after a long day, at the end of a trip, or when you forgot to charge overnight. The digital key works through an app on your phone, so if the phone is off, you will want another way into the car. A physical key is the simple answer.
Your phone is lost, stolen or being repaired
If your phone goes missing, the system has extra security options. You can set it up so your phone must be unlocked, or an in-app password entered, before the car can be unlocked or started. We recommend turning these on. But that protects the car. It does not get you home. A physical key does. The same goes for the days your phone is at a repair shop.
Other people drive the car
The app lets you share access with family members, employees or colleagues who have compatible smartphones, including temporary or time-limited access. That covers a lot of situations. Still, not everyone who drives your car will have a compatible phone, or want to install an app. A physical key keeps things simple for them.
The module battery needs charging
The in-car module has a rechargeable battery and charges through USB-C. A full charge typically lasts around 4–5 months, though actual battery life varies with usage, Bluetooth settings, operating conditions and how often you drive. When the battery is low, the app shows a charging reminder. Below about 20%, automatic locking and unlocking may be disabled to save power. If you miss the reminder, a physical key is a useful fallback while you recharge.
Car washes and servicing
Before you hand your car over for a wash or servicing, you can turn on Car Wash Mode. It temporarily stops automatic locking from activating when your phone moves away, and lets the car be started while the module stays inside. Some workshops will still ask for a key. Having one ready saves a back-and-forth.
What the digital key does well
None of this means the digital key is second best. It has real day-to-day advantages:
- No internet needed for normal use. Once set up, normal functions work without mobile data or Wi-Fi, which helps in basement car parks with weak signal. Internet is only needed for things like firmware updates.
- Works with iPhone and Android.
- Adjustable auto lock and unlock range, with settings such as Near, Medium and Far.
- Sharing, including temporary or time-limited access you control.
- Extra buttons where your vehicle and module support them, such as boot opening or find-car.
Read the full rundown in our phone as car key guide or on the phone as car key page.
What if you only have one physical key?
Plenty of drivers are down to a single physical key. Maybe the spare was lost years ago, or the car came secondhand with one key. If that is you, adding phone as car key gives you a second way to use the car day to day. But your physical backup is still that one key.
It is worth thinking about a spare physical key at the same time. Getting a spare while your key still works is simpler than waiting until something goes wrong. We make spare keys for most car models:
- Remote, flip and transponder key duplication for cars you start with a key.
- Smart key duplication for keyless and push-start cars.
Not sure which you have? Our guide to smart, remote and transponder keys explains how to tell them apart.
Where to keep your physical keys
- Somewhere you can get to. A backup only helps if you or someone you trust can reach it when your phone is flat.
- Not in the car. A key left inside defeats the purpose of locking it.
- Away from the front door if it is a smart key. See our keyless car key safety tips.
- Tell household drivers where it is. It saves a phone call when you are not around.
Getting started
- WhatsApp us your car’s make, model and year on +65 8754 2299.
- Get confirmation of compatibility and the exact price. Estimated pricing is on our phone as car key page.
- Book a time. We’re appointment only, 11.30am to 6.30pm, at Burlington Square near Rochor MRT. See contact and directions.
- Bring proof of ownership, such as your OneMotoring vehicle log card or your vehicle ownership record in Singpass. See what proof you need.
If you want a spare physical key too, mention it in the same message and send photos of the front and back of your key.
FAQ
Will my original keys stop working after phone as car key is set up?
No. Your original physical keys continue to work normally. We usually program the module as your third key.
What happens if my phone battery dies?
The digital key runs through the app on your phone, so use a physical key until your phone is charged. That’s one reason we suggest keeping one handy.
Does the module need charging?
Yes, through USB-C. A full charge typically lasts around 4–5 months, and the app reminds you when the battery is low.
Can you make a spare physical key at the same time?
For most car models, yes. Send photos of your key with your car details and we’ll confirm and quote both.
Ask us on WhatsApp
WhatsApp us your make, model and year and we’ll confirm compatibility and the price, for the digital key, a spare physical key, or both.