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How to Program Audi Key Fob

By YOUCANIC Team, 23 May, 2017

In this guide, you will find instructions on how to program an Audi key fob. 

The following procedure will program the key fob to unlock/lock the Audi. The immobilizer chip must be programmed at Audi dealer. Your other option is to have your locksmith cut and program the new key to start the car and then perform this procedure to synchronize the remote. These instructions do not work on newer Audi vehicles. 

Procedure

Steps to program a key fob on an Audi.

  1. Start by rolling down one of the windows.
  2. Use a spare key to turn the ignition "on" position. All the dashboard lights come on, don't start the car.
  3. Get out of the car and close all the doors.
  4. With a second key, lock the doors using the metal key. Important: DO NOT USE REMOTE
  5. Use the remote that you need to be programmed to unlock the doors. Only press the unlock button once. Hint: Your lights should flash once at this point.
  6. Wait 10 seconds and press the unlock button again. This time, the doors will unlock. Your Audi key is programmed.
  7. If you need to program other keys, lock the Audi door manually. Use the metal key, not the keyfob, to lock the doors.
  8. Press the unlock button twice within one second. The lights will flash twice.
  9. Wait 10 seconds and press the unlock button again. Your Audi doors should open, and your second key is programmed.
  10. Once you program all the keys, remove the key from the ignition to exit program mode, and test the keyfobs.

Hint: If you have a third key, repeat steps 7 through 9. Step 8, make sure to press the unlock button three times if you are programming a third key fob.

PROGRAMING EXISTING REMOTE

You need to be careful when you perform this procedure because you may erase the other keys stored in the memory by programming a new key. Follow the following steps to program a new Audi key and retain all of the keys programmed.

  1. Press the unlock button on your key fob and hold it.
  2. While you hold the unlock button pressed, insert the key into ignition position II.
  3. Please continue to hold the unlock button pressed for three seconds and then remove it. Your keyfob should be programmed now.

 

Comments

Visitor, April 4, 2019
I tried this also and it didn't work.. My Fob Key just stopped working after my battery had gone dead on my Audi A4.. This had never happened before and even Audi said that they would need to look at it but far too costly. BTW I only have the one key
Visitor, April 4, 2019
Thanks for the steps. I found the steps to work perfectly in reprograming the car fob after a battery change for my 2008 Audi A4. Much appreciated.
Visitor, April 4, 2019
Just programmed two existing remotes with these three steps, and it worked perfectly.
Visitor, April 4, 2019
I've got the same problem with my Audi A3 2010 at the moment and these ideas wouldn't work..
Visitor, April 4, 2019
We had an Audi A3 Sportback 2,0 FSI 8P year 2007 with only one key. I bought new complete key from dealer and paid 230€ for it. After I took it to dealer for adaption to immobilizer, they tried several times and said finally that the immobilizer in instrument cluster was broken and the only way to fix it was buy new cluster for 1200€ and 200€ for adapting it. This Audi A3 Ambition Sportback was the second in worse cars ever in our family. It got shared placement with Moskvits Elite. Elite`s engine was more durable since it lasted almost 90 000km and Audi`s engine was totaly broken (86 000km) in camshaft chain failure and crankshaft thrust bearings. Elite was smelling even more terrible Never ever again buy Audi or Moskvits Elite.
Visitor, April 4, 2019
Thanks for the info. I really hope this works because I have two Audi's being delivered in a few days and some cheap keys from China too but I am too broke to have them programmed professionally at the moment because I bought them in cash. I guess I will have to get them cut though... All I have is valet keys at the moment.
Visitor, April 4, 2019
For my Audi 2003 S3, these instructions allowed my second fob to operate the central locking and disabled the alarm but not the immobilizer. I can unlock it but not start it.
Visitor, April 4, 2019
My a4 is on safe mode and will not come out of it.
Visitor, April 4, 2019
1/9/2020..Just did existing fob programming on one that had stopped working..Bingo working again..Thanks for this..Saved $250 at dealer to reprogram it. Literally took 10 secs...
Visitor, April 4, 2019
I don't know how it happened but on my 2016 Q7 normally when I was close to the car I could open and start the car with the push button. Now I have to click my fob to open door and use the key to start car. How do I re-program that??
Visitor, April 4, 2019
There is a trick to add up to 4 remotes but I cannot find it anymore. I know It works because I tried it few years back. I anyone finds this instructions please leave link here.
Thanks for this. I used to own an audi and have had to reprogram it. I wish I knew these clear steps back then!
Michael James, April 14, 2020

What about a brand new key with nothing to copy off

Peto, August 16, 2020

What to do if I have only one key .. logic is dat we need key if we lost second or received car with only one key .. this is then nonsense

Bellini, October 3, 2020

Hi all.......
You said ''These instructions do not work on newer Audi vehicles'. What models exactly?
Mine is Audi Q7 2012.

SK, February 7, 2021

I misplaced my remote key in the house. I have the wallet key and that’s how I drive and lock the car. I see there are used original Audi keys sold compatible with my model available on eBay. Can I buy one and perform the FOB programming steps above and will it reset my original key (assuming I’ll find it someday).

Visitor, March 14, 2021

I have a 2006 Audi A3 Quatro Sline V6 and my Keyworks to start the vehicle and lock doors but my key fob doesn’t and just switched my battery in key fob how do I get it to work again the keyless entry with fob

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