How To Add BMW Digital Key To iPhone? Unlock Your BMW With A Tap

If you are a BMW owner, you know how exciting it is to own one of the most innovative cars in the market. Today, with the advancement of technology, turning your phone into a remote control for your car has become possible. If you have ever wished to unlock your BMW by tapping your iPhone, we have some good news for you!

BMW has recently introduced their Digital Key feature that allows you to lock and unlock your car using only your iPhone. No need for any traditional keys or even fobs! Plus, once set up, you can share your key virtually with family members, friends or colleagues through Apple’s iMessage feature.

In this blog post, we will guide you on everything you need to know about adding a BMW digital key to your iPhone so that you can start unlocking and driving your car easily without reaching out for your wallet, purse or pockets.

We’ll show you how easy it is to set up this fantastic feature step-by-step so that you can access all the convenience of controlling your BMW simply from your smartphone. So buckle up and get ready to upgrade your BMW experience!

What Is BMW Digital Key And Why Should You Use It?

Convenience Of Digital Key

If you’re like most drivers, then you know how frustrating it can be to rummage through your pockets or purse trying to find your car keys. However, thanks to the invention of digital key technology, this is no longer necessary. With BMW’s digital key, you now have the power to unlock and start your vehicle with just your smartphone.

The convenience factor is helpful in more ways than one – for instance, if someone else needs to use your car, all you need to do is grant them access via the app on their own device. This eliminates the need for physical handover of the key fob and makes sharing a vehicle much simpler.

Compatibility With Apple Devices

One of the best things about BMW’s digital key is that it’s easy to set up as long as you have an iPhone running iOS 13.6 (or later) software. To activate the feature, simply navigate to your Settings, select ‘General’, then ‘CarKey’ to get started. After setting up your digital key credentials, you’ll need to hold your phone near the door handle to lock or unlock it.

You can also use Siri commands to control your car using your voice, allowing you hands-free operation when you’re juggling multiple tasks on-the-go.

Increased Security Measures

When compared directly to traditional key fobs, digital keys offer higher levels of security due to encryption technologies. As cybersecurity threats become increasingly prevalent in our daily lives, it’s more important now than ever before to take steps to protect our personal devices and data. The digital key fitted by BMW uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for close-up unlocking whilst keeping the rest of your phone on standby.

Moreover, if you happen to misplace your phone or have it stolen, you have the ability to turn off your digital key remotely from another device, effortlessly ensuring that crooks don’t have access to both your car and phone simultaneously.

Cost Efficiency

If you’re already an iPhone user and own a BMW vehicle, then adding the digital key feature is free with no hidden extra costs. As previously mentioned, installation steps are simple to follow, allowing you unlock suitable cars from BMWs range with just one tap using your Apple device. The digital keys come as an added perk for futuristic driving experience for all compatible models in BMW’s lineup currently available.

The list of benefits of utilizing BMW’s digital key technology only continues to grow – futuristic levels of convenience, encryption technologies providing plenty of security measures, compatibility with devices we use every day like iPhones and cost-free setup process make this feature worth considering. If you own a BMW and haven’t yet tried out its digital key feature, what are you waiting for?

Is Your BMW Compatible With Digital Key?

If you own a BMW, you might be wondering if your vehicle is compatible with the digital key feature that allows you to use your iPhone as a car key. This technology enables you to unlock and start your car by holding your phone near the door handle or central console. It’s a convenient and secure way to access your vehicle without carrying around a physical key.

Compatibility With BMW Models

To use the digital key feature on your BMW, you must have a compatible vehicle model. According to BMW’s website, the following models support digital key:

• 2021 5 Series (G30)
• 2021 8 Series (G15)
• 2021 X5 (G05)
• 2021 X6 (G06)
• 2021 X7 (G07)
• 2022 iX
• 2022 i4

If you’re not sure whether your BMW has this feature, check your owner’s manual or contact your local dealership for more information.

Operating System Requirements

In addition to having a compatible BMW model, you need to make sure that your iPhone meets certain operating system requirements. The digital key feature works with iPhones running iOS 13.6 or later. To check which version of iOS you have, go to Settings > General > About and look for the “Software Version” entry.

Note that older versions of iOS may not have all the features required for using the digital key feature. If you need to update your phone’s software, go to Settings > General > Software Update to download and install the latest version.

Device Compatibility

Lastly, you need to have a compatible iPhone model for the digital key feature. Only certain iPhones equipped with an NFC chip can use this feature. These models include:

• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS, XS Max
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max

If your phone is not on this list, it won’t be able to use the digital key feature. In addition, some older iPhone models may not work properly due to hardware limitations or compatibility issues.

“The BMW Digital Key ensures secure data transmission and prevents unauthorized access. It also provides convenient functionality with out-of-the-box support for up to five shared keys.” -BMW Blog

If you own a compatible BMW model, run iOS 13.6 or later on an eligible iPhone, and have access to the BMW Connected app, you can add a digital key to your device. Make sure to follow the setup instructions carefully and keep your phone safe and protected at all times.

How To Set Up BMW Digital Key On Your iPhone?

Do you own a newer model of BMW, and want to be able to unlock your car with your phone? Lucky for you, the BMW digital key allows exactly that. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of setting up the BMW digital key on your iPhone.

Downloading BMW Connected App

The first step in setting up your BMW digital key is to download the BMW Connected App from the Apple Store. Once you have the app downloaded, open it and create an account or log in if you already have one.

Pairing Your iPhone With Your BMW

In order to use the digital key feature, you must pair your iPhone with your BMW car. To do so, turn on Bluetooth on both devices, and ensure that they are close enough to each other for a successful connection. In the BMW Connected App, select “My Vehicle” and then tap on “Add vehicle.” Follow the instructions in the app to complete the pairing process.

Setting Up Digital Key On Your iPhone

To set up the digital key on your iPhone, go back to the “My Vehicle” section in the BMW Connected App and select “Digital Key” from the menu. From there, follow the steps indicated by the app to add your digital key to your device. You will need to authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.

• Note: It’s important to note that not all BMW models support the digital key functionality at this time. Be sure to check with your dealership to confirm compatibility.
• Also, keep in mind that once you have successfully added your digital key to your iPhone, you can no longer use the physical key to unlock your car.

Adding Additional Users To Digital Key

If you have multiple people who need access to your BMW, you can add additional users to the digital key. To do so, follow these steps:

1. In the BMW Connected App, go to “Digital Key” and select the “Manage Users” option.
2. Select “Invite user” and enter the email address of the person you’d like to invite.
3. The invited user will receive an email with instructions on how to download the BMW Connected App and set up their digital key.
4. You can manage the permissions for each user, including limiting their access or revoking it altogether from the same screen in the app.

“The use of a smartphone as a digital vehicle key is a trailblazing element in our strategy for advanced digitalisation,” Klaus Fröhlich, member of the Board of Management at BMW AG, said in a statement announcing the launch of the BMW digital key.

Congratulations! You now know how to add BMW digital key to iPhone. With this feature enabled, you’ll be able to unlock your BMW with just your phone – no more fumbling around for keys. Plus, adding others to your digital key makes sharing your car even more seamless.

How To Use BMW Digital Key To Unlock Your Car?

Activating Digital Key Through BMW Connected App

If you are looking to use your iPhone as a digital key for your BMW car, you need to follow some simple steps outlined by the brand. First and foremost, you need to make sure that you have an iOS device running version 13.6 or later and your BMW model is from mid-2018 onward with the latest operating system installed in it.

To activate the feature, you would first need to download and install the official BMW Connected app on your iPhone available on Apple’s App Store. After installing the app, sign up if you do not already have an account. Once registered, proceed to login into your account following the prompts given.

Upon entering the application dashboard, click on the ‘Digital Key’ option present at the bottom of the screen. Choose whether you want to set this up for personal or shared-use purposes. With the former, only you will be able to access your car using the digital key whereas, with the latter, you can add additional users like family members, friends, etc., who could also unlock the car using their iPhones.

Approaching And Touching The Door Handle

You cannot just approach your car once you have added the digital key to your iPhone and expect the doors to open automatically. You still need to perform certain manual steps to achieve success in unlocking your car through this method.

The most straightforward way to open your BMW vehicle, when holding your freshly activated digital key, is to be close to your car and place the phone near the door handle which has a sensor built-in it. As long as the sensor detects your possession of the virtual key, pressing the button flushes against the exterior side of the handle will unlock the vehicle. The digital key’s range is around 1.5 meters radius, making you stress-free when carrying bags or luggage.

One of the critical things to note about this feature is that it does not work if your iPhone’s battery dies or runs out of charge because every time you approach your BMW car, Bluetooth must establish and synchronize with it for secure access to be guaranteed between the mobile device and car. Consequently, always ensure that both devices have sufficient power available before planning on using this feature!

“BMW has a heritage steeped in technology and innovation, so following customer demand we are delighted to bring this new digital functionality to market which customers can use today.” – Peter Henrich, CEO BMW Group UK

Through the digital key mechanism addition from BMW, you no longer require additional practice or instruction since it appears as much natural as traditional mechanical keys. With the pace at which technology is infiltrating daily life, more manufacturers would soon look into making electronic keys optional across various models.

What Are The Security Features Of BMW Digital Key?

End-To-End Encryption

The BMW Digital Key is designed with end-to-end encryption technology to ensure the security of your vehicle, even when it is parked in a public area. End-to-end encryption is a secure communication protocol that enables two parties to communicate privately and securely without any third-party interference.

The technology works by encrypting all data transmitted between two devices using unique keys known only to the sender and the receiver. This means that no one else can intercept or read the messages exchanged between these devices, making it virtually impossible for hackers or cybercriminals to access your digital key.

Remote Deactivation Of Digital Key

In case you lose your iPhone or forget it inside the car, the BMW Digital Key comes with a remote deactivation feature that allows you to disable the key from another device. This is important in preventing unauthorized access to your vehicle, especially if the lost phone ends up in the wrong hands.

You can use this feature to deactivate your key remotely by logging into your account on the BMW ConnectedDrive portal. Once you do so, you will see an option to disable the digital key associated with the lost device instantly.

This added layer of security gives you peace of mind knowing that even if someone gains access to your phone, they cannot use it to start your car unless authorized by you.

“As we continue our focus on innovative solutions like Digital Key, we are also focused on delivering additional Industry-leading security technologies that protect customers’ personal property and privacy.”

The BMW Digital Key combines advanced technology with smart security features to provide reliable and convenient keyless access to your car. With end-to-end encryption and remote deactivation capabilities, you can be confident that your vehicle is safe and secure, even when you are not around.

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Adding BMW Digital Key To iPhone

BMW digital key is a modern technological feature that allows iPhone users to access and start their cars without using the physical key. However, adding the BMW digital key to iPhone can sometimes be challenging due to incompatibility or technical issues. This article will provide troubleshooting tips for common issues you may encounter when trying to add your BMW digital key to your iPhone.

Checking Compatibility Of BMW And iPhone

The first step to adding your BMW digital key to your iPhone is ensuring that they are compatible with each other. Your iPhone must be running iOS 13.6 or later, while your BMW needs to support the ConnectedDrive Services and Live Cockpit Professional features.

You can check whether your vehicle supports these features by contacting your local BMW dealership or checking the manual that came with your car. Similarly, you can check if your iPhone is compatible with your BMW by going to Settings > General > About > Car Connectivity on your iPhone. If it says “Available,” then your iPhone should be compatible with your BMW.

Ensuring Bluetooth And NFC Are Enabled

Bluetooth and Near Field Communication (NFC) are essential technologies that allow your iPhone to communicate with your BMW digital key. Therefore, before adding your digital key to your iPhone, ensure that Bluetooth and NFC are enabled.

To enable Bluetooth on your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and turn it on. Similarly, enable NFC by going to Settings > NFC and turning on the switch. Failing to do so may prevent your iPhone from recognizing and accessing your BMW digital key.

Resetting BMW Connected App

If you still cannot add your BMW digital key to your iPhone despite fulfilling all the above requirements, resetting the BMW Connected app may help resolve the issue. To reset the BMW Connected app, follow these steps:

• Open the BMW Connected app on your iPhone
• Select ‘Profile’ and then select ‘Settings’
• Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select ‘Reset Application’
• Confirm that you want to reset the application by selecting ‘OK’.

This process should erase any previous app settings and allow you to start afresh when adding your BMW digital key to your iPhone.

BMW digital key is an advanced feature that improves car security and convenience. However, adding it to your iPhone requires checking compatibility, enabling Bluetooth and NFC, and resetting the BMW Connected app if necessary. If you still cannot add your BMW digital key to your iPhone after trying these troubleshooting tips, consider contacting a specialized technician for further assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions