MY’2026 Configurator Changes - New Macan Options Added

[Fly4ever]

this is a question for your dealer…only they can answer it.

Certainly!He's returning from his vacation next week,for sure I'll call him in regards this issue as soon as he gets back.But I thought maybe someone over here knows the answer so I don't have to wait!

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[alvaro]

not an option for Gasoline Macan
not an option for Taycan

so far it appears this is only rolling out to the Macan EV - this fuels speculation that I believe the Macan has always "had" this option - and Porsche finally got around to "landing" the software package for it…

as to if it's available to cars made prior to date "X" - I have no idea…

I'll request dealer/service investigation when I pick up my Macan EV from service in the next few days…

this appears to be a Macan EV "exclusive" at this time - I would speculate as each of Porsche's other models gets "refreshed" Digital Key will roll out to each of them as an option on top of Comfort Access…

Agree good point. Probably has always been there.

 

[slythegrin]

I'm hoping that Porsche Digital Key is just a software update -- which we are expecting in a few months I think.

The 2026 configurator has gone live in NZ and describes the feature "Comfort Access including Porsche Digital Key" as 4E6, which my car already is equipped with.

Doesn't the app functions the same way as the key already?

 

[daveo4EV]

Doesn't the app functions the same way as the key already?

no - with "phone" as a key you simply need to present the "phone" to the door handle to unlock the car - and you can also start the car with nothing more than phone - much like a FOB…

depending on the implementation - you may not even need to wake the phone up.

with Tesla's implementation of "phone as a key" you simply need the phone to be in wireless range of the vehicle - and it all just "unlocks and starts" - nothing more need be done - it's very convenient and one of the things I miss from my Tesla days…

 

[slythegrin]

no - with "phone" as a key you simply need to present the "phone" to the door handle to unlock the car - and you can also start the car with nothing more than phone - much like a FOB…

Gotcha, thanks for the explanation!

 

[daveo4EV]

Gotcha, thanks for the explanation!

the _ONLY_ problem with phone-as-key is car-wash/valet situations - you have nothing to "give" anyone to take your car away…for Tesla they solved this with a credit-card like RFID thing - I used to keep one in my wallet for two reasons:

1. valet/car-wash
2. dead/lost/broken phone

I used it rarely but did use it - so with phone-as-key a complete solution requires an alternative "physical token" you can actually hand to someone - this token should be small/light/easy-to-carry and way less bulky than an actual FOB - otherwise there is no point…

I'm looking forward to understanding more about Porsche's implementation in this space to see what we've got…

one think I also loved about "phone-as-key" (at least how Tesla did it) - I could "invite" other people to have access to my car (friends/family) - so I could do "dead drop" style hand offs - just drive the car somewhere get out, park, and they could pick it up later with their phone and I know they would have full access with their phone…

once you've lived with phone-as-key most people really really like it and can't see going back to FOB's - because basically you always have your phone with you - so why carry anything more if the phone can operate like a FOB (which it can)

I want a few things:

• I want to understand first hand what porsche has done
• I want "delegation" - the ability to "add/invite" people to have access to my car
• I want an alternative lightweight physical token for valet/car-wash scenarios
• I want to understand how passive/active the phone-as-key is
  • the Tesla implementation you do not need to touch the phone or even take it out of your pocket/backpack - once it's in wireless range and paired with the car - you're good to go…both unlock and drive-off (start the car)
    • walk away the car locks - again - do nothing - the phone just passively activates based on wireless range (about 20-30 feet)
  • the BMW implementation requires you to "Present" the phone to the door handle, and the center console to start the car - which is good, but more hassle than the Tesla implementation
  • we'll see what Porsche has done here
• I would love any form of retrofit - hardware + software or software only - don't care about OTA - this is worth a dealer visit - free would be nice, but happy to pay a reasonable fee - Please Porsche make an upgrade TSB service process for this feature.

very excited to learn more in this space…

 

[Station]

no - with "phone" as a key you simply need to present the "phone" to the door handle to unlock the car - and you can also start the car with nothing more than phone - much like a FOB…

depending on the implementation - you may not even need to wake the phone up.

with Tesla's implementation of "phone as a key" you simply need the phone to be in wireless range of the vehicle - and it all just "unlocks and starts" - nothing more need be done - it's very convenient and one of the things I miss from my Tesla days…

Phone key and it's graceful implementation is one of my favorite features in the Tesla.

In the Porsche implementation, *if* you have to get your phone out and present it to the door handle, then its a fail Even with my Macan GTS I can keep the legacy keyfob in my bag and all operations from unlocking to driving, work.

Those times when I'm driving my Model 3, my iPhone is in my gym bag/backpack and it unlocks when I grab a door handle and locks when I walk away (phone still in gym bag or wife's purse. No presentation needed for locking or driving)

...additionally I shouldn't' have to place the phone on a hot-plate like Hyundai requires in the Ioniq series of cars. Again, it's just in a bag somewhere in the car - and the car will operate.

For those Valet times, I keep the RFID "credit card key" stashed/hidden in the car that I can retrieve and present. I don't personally ever carry a wallet. Haven't in 5 years.

 

[daveo4EV]

If you have to get your phone out and present it to the Porsche door handle, then it's a fail.

Those times when I'm driving my Model 3, my phone is in my gym bag/backpack and it unlocks when I grab a door handle and locks when I walk away (phone still in gym bag or wife's purse.)

...additionally I don't have to place the phone on a hot-plate like Hyundai requires in the Ioniq series of cars. Again, it's just in a bag somewhere in the car - and the car will operate.

I'm basing my predictions on BMW's phone-as-key - and the phone must be presented - as that is part of the NFC standard



my predication is that Porsche's implementation will be "fail" in your world because it's following the phone-as-key standard - which is NFC based and point-to-point short range (1 ft or less)

the win is you do not need to carry a separate "fob" - your phone is a 'key' of sorts…
the "failed" is you need to "present" your phone to the door handle and present the phone somewhere inside the car to start it…

to my knowledge only Tesla supports the general "phone is present" hands free implementation - and I agree this is superior to the phone-as-key standard…

but if you're standard is based on the Tesla implementation you're going to be disappointed.

you'll most likely need to take your phone out to:

1. unlock the car - but you won't need to use an app or wake it up or unlock it - you'll just wave it at the door handle
2. again place/wave the phone at some location inside the car to allow it to start

you won't need a FOB - the phone will work as a sole token - but you'll need to present it.

I welcome factual experience documenting what Porsche actually does - my assertions and predictions are based on how the BMW phone-as-key operates…and I agree it lacks/lags Tesla's implementation.

 

[daveo4EV]

Phone key and it's graceful implementation is one of my favorite features in the Tesla.

I agree 100%

my predication is we will both be disappointed vs. Tesla's implementation

I'm going to focus on the "win" that I no longer need to carry a separate "item" - but it will not be as well done as Tesla's phone-as-key implementation.

in reading the phone-as-key standard it's simply does not allow for Tesla's level of "smooth/seamless"

prepare to be disappointed…unless you focus on the positives - I no longer need to anything other than my phone with me.

 

[Station]

ication is we will both be disappointed vs. Tesla's implementation

I'm going to focus on the "win" that I no longer need to carry a separate "item" - but it will not be as well done as Tesla's phone-as-key implementation.

in reading the phone-as-key standard it's simply does no

And id personally rather not enable the phone key with I have to point my phone at the door handle - yes first world problems- but when the legacy fob doesn't require this action (and I can keep it in my gym bag), and with a phone you have to present device, then grab with OTHER hand after a .5 second handshake, then hotplate the phone, it becomes silly novelty.

 

[daveo4EV]

And id personally rather not enable the phone key with I have to point my phone at the door handle - yes first world problems- but when the legacy fob doesn't require this action (and I can keep it in my gym bag), and with a phone you have to present device, then grab with OTHER hand after a .5 second handshake, then hotplate the phone, it becomes silly novelty.

I can see this - it's all what you value - I'll value not having the fob with me at all since I always have my phone

but wish/remember how slick the Tesla implementation was - which is largely based on proximity secure bluetooth - vs. NFC…which is by definition short range and point to point…

the Tesla implementation is the "gold standard" - phone in you pocket and no need to take it out - the phone-as-key implementations following the standard do not achieve this level of integration - it's a pity…

Tesla once again leads in this space…

https://carconnectivity.org/digital-key/

 

[MatC21]

Doesn’t BMWs Digital Key Plus offer automatic contactless lock and unlocking the car? What you guys are describing is the standard Digital Key which even my BMW from 2019 has.
A few years ago they added the “Plus” which should behave like Tesla.
Also see this video:

I am quite sure Porsches implementation will be similar if not the same to BMW.

 

[sor]

Yeah both my BMW and my Volvo just unlock as I approach, and the Bimmer is three years old. The “take your phone and hold it to the door” implementation was short lived from my perspective, though apparently also works as a backup if your phone is dead (nfc still works on the iphone anyway).

 

[JonoNZ]

I’ve never had to take my phone out of my pocket with our IX. It just unlocks as you approach. The same applies for Apple Watch with Apple CarKey.

If you disable “Passive Entry” then you need to open the wallet app and unlock before the car unlocks.

Apple HomeKey works in the same way.

 

[daveo4EV]

love the BMW facts - I hope Porsche's implementation works in a similar fashion

thanks for the factual updates.

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