With the BMW Digital Key and BMW Digital Key Plus, go keyless. The key fob for your car can be replaced with an iPhone, Google Pixel, or Samsung Galaxy smartphone that is compatible. To lock and open the door, just hold it against the driver-side handle. To start the engine, simply place your device in the wireless charging tray.
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Locked doors
If you wish to use your digital key to unlock the driver’s door, you must hold the top of your phone close to the door handle (let’s say 1.5 inches) until a check mark and the word “Done” appear on the display. Your phone will then only unlock the driver-side door at that point.
You won’t need to initially unlock your phone in order to start the car or open a door while using the preset Express Mode. However, you may manually turn off this option if you’d want more control over how your car opens or starts. You’ll need to select a passcode, FaceID, or TouchID as your identifying method in this situation.
What It Does
There are several kinds of technology that can transform your phone into a substitute key fob. For example, Tesla and Lincoln use Bluetooth low energy (BLE) as the foundation for their phone-as-key technology. NFC, which enables low-speed communication between two devices at a distance of up to roughly an inch and a half, is used by BMW, Hyundai, and Kia. The iPhone-compatible BMW model also includes a key that resembles a credit card and may be used in place of an iPhone or Apple Watch.
BLE has a larger range than NFC, but BMW claims that their NFC-based technology will continue to function for around 5 hours after a phone’s battery has completely died because there is still some power left over in the battery for features like utilizing the digital key and paying for transit.
For the digital key functionality to function, proximity sensors that are part of BMW’s Comfort Access option, which is offered across the company’s model lineup, are necessary. They can recognize a phone belonging to the owner or someone who has authority to operate the vehicle, and they are compatible with recent iPhones. According to BMW, the digital feature is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 5 or later and the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max and subsequent iPhone models. For Apple Watches and iPhones, BMW requires WatchOS 6.2.8 or later and iOS 13.6 or later.
Once inside, simply dock your iPhone in the digital charging tray of the vehicle to turn it on. You may unlock the doors by touching your phone to the door handle.
While we didn’t test how effectively the Apple Watch interacts with the digital key, you would hold the watch close to the door handle to unlock the car and next to the wireless charging tray inside to start it. People who wear watches on their left wrist may need to perform some acrobatics in order to do this.
Getting inside and starting up CR’s rental BMW M440i xDrive with the iPhone was rather simple after setting up the iPhone for BMW’s digital key, according to Knizek. But to get into the automobile, he had to take his iPhone out of his pocket.
The most recent vehicles from BMW can be unlocked with an iPhone in your pocket.
The 2023 X1 and a whole new electric SUV called the iX1 are two new vehicles that BMW introduced this week that would utilize its Digital Key Plus technology.
Without a physical key, eligible BMW automobiles can now be locked, unlocked, or started using an iPhone or Apple Watch thanks to Digital Key Plus. However, Digital Key Plus makes use of Ultra Wideband technology to detect when you are near the vehicle, allowing you to keep your iPhone in your pocket. The regular NFC version of the function requires the iPhone or Apple Watch to be held near the driver-side door in order to open the vehicle.
Additionally, Digital Key Plus enhances security by preventing relay attacks, in which a third party jams or intercepts the radio signal between the iPhone and the vehicle, thanks to Ultra Wideband’s precise location awareness.
With the digital keys stored in Apple’s built-in Wallet app, Digital Key Plus requires an iPhone 11 or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or newer. More BMW vehicles are gradually receiving the function, including the 2022 iX and the present 2023 X1 and iX1. A complete list of BMW vehicles that use the standard NFC-based Digital Key function is accessible on Apple’s website for models manufactured in 2021 and later.
The My BMW app can be used to set up Digital Key Plus, and up to five additional users may share digital keys. The functionality continues to function for up to five hours even if your iPhone’s battery goes out thanks to a Power Reserve mode.
Can a BMW be unlocked using an app?
BMW recently disclosed that their automobile remote control app has transitioned from iOS to Android. With it, customers may start searching for nearby sites of interest, identify where their car is parked, change the climate, and unlock their vehicle.
When the keys are locked inside the BMW, how can you unlock it?
“Door Open: If you ever lock your keys inside your BMW, call our Response Center toll-free at 1-888-333-6118 and, after providing your name and password, we will send a signal to your driver’s door to unlock it.”
Can a BMW be remotely locked?
You can communicate with your car via the cellular network with the My BMW Remote App. This makes it possible, for instance, to lock and unlock the vehicle using an Apple iPhone or to look up and send data to certain locations.
Can I use my phone to remotely start my BMW?
Using a compatible smartphone and the BMW Connected App, you can turn on BMW Remote Start, choose your favorite temperature, and start your engine all at once, even if you are far away from the vehicle.
BMW WiFi is it free?
permanent WiFi integration in the vehicle Your car should already have WiFi built in permanently. Similar to all new BMW vehicles, a built-in SIM card is essential to the establishment of a WiFi connection.
What BMW models support a digital key?
What is a BMW Digital Key, and where can I acquire one? The BMW Digital Key is compatible with the following vehicles manufactured in July 2020 or later: In addition to the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, X5, X6, X7, M5, M8, X5 M, X6 M, and Z4
My automobile can BMW track it?
No, the BMW Assist system simply relays the position of your vehicle. When the “Concierge,” “Customer Relations,” or “Service Request” menu option is selected, or when the vehicle’s sensors detect the need for upcoming services and the system automatically transmits service information to your local BMW center on BMW Assist-equipped 2004 and later 5 and 6 Series, 2006 and later 7 Series and 3 Series Sedans and Sports Wagon, 2007 and late models, the vehicle will start the Automatic Collision Notification service after a serious impact occurs. 3. If you press the “SOS,” “Wrench,” “Emergency,” or “Roadside Assistance” button, 4. If you call (888) 333-6118 to request Stolen Vehicle Recovery service after filing your police report (on all 7 Series produced between September 2005 and later, as well as all other 2005 and later BMW Assist-equipped and activated models produced between October 2004 and later).
When your car’s keys are locked inside, how can you unlock it?
If your keys are locked in your automobile, one solution is to have a locksmith create a new key specifically for your vehicle. Giving the locksmith the VIN, or vehicle identification number, is one of the finest ways to achieve this. The locksmith will be able to create a new key that will fit the lock using the VIN.
You might need to provide ownership documentation to obtain a new key. The following is a summary of some of the details you might need to give a locksmith in order to have a new key made:
- VIN
- Keycode found inside the front door panel or in the owner’s manual
- Title
- Registration for the vehicle using your name and VIN
- Identity card for insurance bearing your name and VIN
Getting a new key created may seem like a lot of trouble, but it is all done to keep automobile owners safe from criminals. You wouldn’t want a burglar to have the ability to make a key for your automobile by calling a locksmith, would you?
When did BMW introduce remote start?
Since 2019, many BMWs sold in North America have had remote start as a feature. Additionally, certain BMW cars produced in 2018 can have remote starts retrofitted.
BMW didn’t start providing remote engine start until the release of iDrive 7.
Along with other other technical advancements like Apple CarPlay, the BMW iDrive 7 has an integrated feature that lets the owner of the car to remotely turn on the ignition, allowing you to start the engine from a distance.
What is the price of a BMW Display Key?
We had the chance to experiment with BMW’s newest keyfob at the media debut of the 2016 BMW 7 Series. The touch-sensitive key, also known as the BMW Display Key, is an optional accessory for the new 7 Series and is just $250 in the United States. The key has four buttons on the front for lock, unlock, trunk release, and panic for that small price—which is less expensive than many other BMW keyfob replacements.
The key has a full color touchscreen in the middle that allows you to swipe through various features, such as door locking status, toggle lighting, fuel range, and climate control scheduling. Although the U.S. regulatory bodies have not yet approved it, the BMW Digital Key can be used to self-park your 7 Series in Europe.
According to BMW, the key’s battery lasts for around a week and can be wirelessly recharged in the armrest of the vehicle. Even if the touchscreen is broken, you can still open the car with the key.
It’s incredible what BMW has accomplished with something we always considered to be a simple tool, and we anticipate that keyfobs of the next generation will become much smarter.