One of many new tech features people want these days, the Ram digital key was supposed to be working two years ago. It still isn’t and, well, it should be working soon. Probably.
What is the Ram digital key?
In the November 7, 2023 press release about the new Ram 1500 features, the digital key was highlighted as one of the features.
It stated, “Ram owners can now add a digital key to their smartphone or watch to access and start their vehicle. After enrolling in Ram Connect and downloading the Ram app to a compatible device, owners can create and store digital keys in their smartphone’s wallet. They can then access their vehicle without removing the phone from their pocket. Digital keys can be shared with other compatible devices, while the owner retains full control over the access. An NFC-based smart card is provided to users as a backup. This can be used to unlock and start the vehicle in cases where the smartphone is not available. While traditional key fobs remain standard, digital keys give customers more flexibility in terms of how they access their trucks.”
The Ramtrucks.com website shows a picture of using your smart watch with a picture of your truck behind it and, yet it doesn’t work.
Fans wonder what is going on!?
A fan reached out to me asking for our help. They were part of a Reddit thread with several other owners trying to figure out what was going on with the digital key.
This feature is pretty popular with the tech savvy crowd and is well known from those who have owned electric vehicles like Tesla or Rivian.
You can unlock the vehicle with your smartphone, start it, drive and then turn it off all without having the key. Also, you can digitally share the key with others. These are all the same features Ram promises it will allow.
These owners told us they reached out to the uConnect customer service team and got the run around. They were frustrated because this feature was one of their reasons for buying the truck.
Ram still working on it?
We reached out to Noah Thanos, Ram Communications, to see if he could find out what was going on with this feature that had been promised years ago.
He provided us this statement.
“Digital Key currently has limited function enabled on Ram trucks as we work to ensure quality and consistency of the feature for our customers. The NFC-based smart card customers receive with their truck, however, should maintain it’s full functionality.
Digital Key will be fully enabled on applicable trucks via an over-the-air update in the near future. Digital Key is included on the following trim levels when optioned with the appropriate equipment group:
- Laramie – Level 2 (2025+)
- Rebel – Level 2 (2025+)
- RHO – Level 1 (2025+)
- Limited – Level A (2025+)
- Tungsten – (standard, 2025+))
- TRX (standard; MY27 availability)”
What about our long-term review truck?
I currently own a 2025 Ram 1500 RHO and tested the feature on my own truck. I’m not a person who uses this feature so I had not really looked into it. Sure enough, I can lock and unlock my doors, but that’s about it through the smartphone app.
I have the following active packages as trials with varying end dates years in the future:
- Ram Connect One
- Hands-Free Active Driving Assist
- Vehicle Performance
- Safety and Security
These packages have services within them that allow me to access:
- Remote lock/unlock
- Ram Customer Care
- SOS Call
- Assist Call
- Ram Connect Customer Care
- Roadside Assistance
- Automatic SOS Call
- Remotely Clear Personal Data
- Remove Software Updates
- Vehicle Health Alert
- Performance Pages
After playing around with the truck and my phone, I can’t access the digital key features either. It is rather frustrating now to know I paid for something I don’t have.
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