A new era of driving pleasure: now you can use your iPhone as a key for your BMW, enjoying maximum security and data protection. Read on to learn more about the new BMW Digital Key.

 

 

Content

1. What is BMW Digital Key.

2. Where to get a Digital Key :

3. I want to know if your car is compatible with BMW Digital Key.

4. How to configure BMW Digital Key .

5. How BMW Digital Key works.

6. BMW Digital Key security.

7. Can you use more than one iPhone as a master key?

8. What will happen to the BMW Digital Key after the car is sold.

9. What to do in case of lost iPhone .

10. How to use BMW Digital Key .

 

 

 

What is BMW DIGITAL KEY

The digital car key on your iPhone allows you to conveniently and securely lock, unlock and even start your BMW.

 

Now you can use your smartphone as a car key as safely as possible. If your phone runs out of battery, you'll still be able to unlock the driver's door and start the car's engine for five hours. If you turn off your iPhone, the BMW Digital Key will work again as soon as you turn on the device.

 

 

 

 

How and where can I get a BMW DIGITAL KEY

The following cars manufactured from July 1, 2020 (with software version 07-20 from the factory) are compatible with BMW Digital Key:

 

  • THE 2
  • THE 3
  • THE 4
  • THE 5
  • THE 6
  • THE 8
  • THE X5
  • THE X6
  • THE X7
  • THE M5
  • THE M8
  • THE X5 M
  • THE X6 M
  • THE Z4

 

The following devices are compatible with BMW Digital Key:

  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone SE (2nd generation)
  • Apple Watch Series 5

 

BMW Digital Key will require iOS 13.6 and WatchOS 6.2.8.

 

 

Is my car compatible with BMW Digital Key?

To find out if your car is compatible, you can install the My BMW mobile application. Use a compatible device to log in to your BMW ConnectedDrive account and add the vehicle to the account if it is not already there. If you see a section labeled "BMW Digital Key" in the "Car" tab, your car is compatible. After setting up the digital key, you will be able to use it even if you delete "My BMW" from your device.

 

 

 

How to set up BMW DIGITAL KEY

If your iPhone and your car are compatible, you can set up the BMW Digital Key. If your BMW is not yet linked to a BMW ConnectedDrive account, use the My BMW mobile app to add it to an existing BMW ConnectedDrive account or create a new BMW ConnectedDrive account. Create a BMW ConnectedDrive account and use the My BMW mobile app to add your vehicle.

 

To set up the BMW Digital Key, you need to do the following:

1. Open the "BMW Digital Key" menu in the program. For security reasons, you must be in your car and have both normal car keys with you to prove that you are the owner of the car.

2. Click the " Start Pairing " button.

3. Follow the instructions in the BMW Connected menu.

4. Place your iPhone in the smartphone tray with an NFC sensor and you're done! Your digital key will be stored in the Apple Wallet app.

 

Instructions from Apple

 

 

 

How BMW DIGITAL KEY works

To unlock the driver's door with the digital key, you must hold the top of the iPhone next to the door handle until you see " Done " and a check mark on the display. Your phone will only open the driver's door.

 

 

Using the BMW Digital Key for the first time is very easy. Simply place your iPhone in the smartphone tray of your car and press the start/stop button.

 

 

Thanks to the preset express mode, your iPhone does not need to be unlocked before opening the door or starting the car engine. You can disable this feature manually, in which case identification via FaceID, TouchID or password will be required to unlock and start the BMW.

 

 

You can let five other people use your BMW. All you need to do is send them an invite from the Apple Wallet app on your device. You can revoke this invitation at any time. You can only share the original driver key.

When you share your BMW digital key, you can choose the type of access you give other users. Then you can change it. You can give full access or, for example, if one of the users is learning to drive, restrict it. Then the speed will be limited, and the Dynamic Stability Control and Intelligent Safety systems cannot be disabled. Available restrictions vary depending on your vehicle.

 

 

How secure is the BMW DIGITAL KEY

The digital key is stored in the Secure Element on your device. The near-field communication technology guarantees a high level of data protection, as the sender and receiver must be in the immediate vicinity of the communication.

 

 

Can I use more than one iPhone as a master key?

No. Each user can only have one device as the primary key. But you can allow five other people to use your BMW simply by sending them an invitation from your smartphone. Each user who has access (that is, the owner of the car and up to five other people) can also activate the Apple Watch that is linked to the iPhone as an alternate key. In this case, two keys for invited friends are displayed in the list of keys in the car.

 

 

What will happen to the BMW Digital Key when I sell my car?

Before you sell your car, you must reset the digital key in your car under "Settings", "Doors and windows", "BMW Digital Key".

 

 

I lost my iPhone or would like to remove another user. What should I do?

If you still have access to the car, you can reset the digital key in it. Just go to "Settings", "Doors and windows", "BMW Digital Key". There are three ways to remove other users. Each user can remove himself. The owner can delete users through their iPhone. In this case, the remote user's key will be deactivated as soon as another user's key is used. Users can also be deleted directly from the car menu.

 

 

How can I use the BMW Digital Key?

The Digital Key Card can be used independently of the Digital Key on the iPhone. The key card is deactivated when the car leaves the factory. In order to activate it, you will need an ordinary car key or an active Digital Key. Simply place the key card in the smartphone holder and follow the instructions on the car's display.