First Look: Lincoln Aviator and Phone As A Key Technology

Today’s new cars come with key fobs and push-button start, but Lincoln does one better with its new “Phone As A Key” technology. Lincoln sees it as a part of an effortless driving experience.

This feature debuts on the all-new 2020 Lincoln Aviator and is accessed through the Lincoln Way app. The app, which works across the Lincoln lineup, lets you lock and unlock the doors, open the liftgate, and start your vehicle. It also provides access to concierge services and lets you schedule pickup and delivery when your Lincoln needs service.

While you can start your Lincoln with the app, you still need to have the key fob on your person in order to actually drive. But now the Aviator's Phone As A Key feature lets you get in the car and drive away, even if the key fob is still sitting on your kitchen counter.

A key fob is small, easy to lose, and expensive to replace. It’s also easy to forget, which means time wasted as you run back inside to grab it from wherever you think you put it, assuming you can remember. Phone As A Key eliminates those problems and gives you one less thing to keep track of every day. It can also help you find your Aviator if you forget where you parked, and it remembers your seat, mirror, and steering column settings. It can remember your climate and entertainment settings, too, so you don’t have to readjust everything if you share your car with other drivers.

Phone As A Key makes it easier and eliminates the need to hand off a key fob when someone else needs to drive. It allows for four “keys” to share so you can park and walk away leaving other authorized drivers to access the car whenever they’re ready.

What happens if your phone battery dies? There’s an exterior keypad where you can type in a code to unlock the doors. That same code lets you start and drive your car when entered through the infotainment touch screen. If you lose your phone or it’s stolen, then Phone As A Key can be deleted to prevent unauthorized access to your Aviator.