BMW has recently introduced a new way for you to access your car with ease and convenience – the digital key. With this technology, you can use your smartphone as a key and unlock your BMW without fumbling around for physical keys. Instead of using traditional fobs that can be lost or stolen, the BMW Digital Key is always available at your fingertips.
If you’re wondering how to set up BMW digital key on your own vehicle, you’ve come to the right place. This feature eliminates the need for physical keys and offers enhanced security measures while still being simple to use. By reading through the steps involved in setting up the BMW digital key, you will learn how to connect it to your smartphone and activate the unique features offered by this innovative technology.
“Say goodbye to the hassle of carrying multiple keys and welcome the comfort of unlocking your car remotely right from your phone!”
This guide will walk you through each step required to complete the process seamlessly, including what apps to download, which models are eligible for this feature, and how to customize different settings according to your preferences. Setting up your BMW digital key requires only a few minutes and minimal effort, so read on to experience the ease and flexibility that the digital world has to offer!
Unlock Your Car with Digital Key
Gone are the days when you needed a physical key to unlock your car door. With BMW’s digital key, all you need is your smartphone to gain access to your vehicle.
Benefits of Using Digital Key
Using a digital key has several benefits over traditional keys:
- Convenience: You no longer have to carry around a bulky metal key; just keep your phone in your pocket or purse.
- Access control: The digital key can be programmed to restrict certain features of the car or limit the speed for teen drivers.
- Safety: Eliminates lost key issues and reduces the risk of theft because the key is linked to your mobile device via Bluetooth.
Security Features of Digital Key
Besides being convenient, using a digital key from BMW is also secure. Some of its security features include:
- End-to-end encryption: All communication between the car and app is securely encrypted so that only authorized users can gain access.
- Fingerprint verification: If your smartphone has a biometric sensor, such as Touch ID or Face ID, it can be used to authenticate access to the car.
- Remote disabling: If your mobile device is ever lost or stolen, you can quickly and easily disable the digital key function to prevent unauthorized use.
“The new digital BMW key will enable our customers to lock and unlock their cars using nothing more than a smartphone.” -Ian Robertson, BMW board member responsible for sales and marketing
Enabling Digital Key on Your BMW
To set up a digital key for your BMW, you need:
- A compatible BMW model with the latest operating system.
- An iPhone using iOS 13.6 or later if you are an Apple user.
Here’s how to set up a digital key for your BMW:
- Make sure your car is locked and your phone has Bluetooth turned on.
- Open the BMW Connected app on your iPhone and tap “Digital Key” in the bottom navigation bar.
- Follow the prompts to set up your digital key. You may be asked to scan your physical key and take a photo of yourself for verification purposes.
- The first time you use the digital key, hold your iPhone near the driver’s door handle until it unlocks.
- Once inside the car, place your phone in the wireless charging tray or center console dock to start the engine.
Note: There are additional steps involved if you want to share your digital key with other users like family members or friends.
Unlock Your Car with the BMW Connected App
If setting up a digital key isn’t an option for you, or you simply prefer not to use one, there’s still another way to use your smartphone to unlock your vehicle: through the BMW Connected app.
The BMW Connected app allows you to lock and unlock your car remotely from anywhere as long as there’s an internet connection. It also lets you check the status of the vehicle, such as its fuel level and location, and set the temperature control in advance.
“The integration of smartphones into vehicles is allowing us to create even more seamless services between our products and lifestyle.” -Andreu Arno-Mari, Senior Vice President of Customized Services at BMW
Setting up the app is simple:
- Download and install the BMW Connected app from your device’s app store.
- Create an account with BMW or sign in to an existing one.
- Select “Add Vehicle” and enter your car’s VIN number (found on the driver’s side dashboard).
- Follow the prompts to link your vehicle to your account, including verifying ownership.
- You’re now ready to start using the app!
By utilizing either a digital key or BMW Connected app, you can enhance security features while simultaneously improving convenience. Choose whichever method suits your needs best for quick access to your BMW!
Activate Your Digital Key in the BMW Connected App
BMW has recently introduced a new feature that allows you to control your car with your smartphone through its “Digital Key” technology. If you own a compatible BMW model, you can activate the digital key on your phone by following these simple steps.
Downloading the BMW Connected App
The first step is to download the BMW Connected App from either the App Store or Google Play Store. The app will allow you to access all of the features available to you as a BMW owner, including the Digital Key function. Once downloaded, open the app and sign in using your BMW Connected account details. If you don’t already have an account, follow the instructions below to create one.
Creating a BMW Connected Account
If you’re a new BMW owner, you’ll need to create a BMW Connected account before you can start using the Digital Key function. To do this, go to the BMW Connected website and click on the “Register” button. Follow the prompts to enter your personal information, including your name, email address, and vehicle identification number (VIN). Once you’ve created your account, navigate back to the BMW Connected App on your phone and log in using your newly created credentials.
Once you’re logged into the app, select the “Digital Key” tab from the home screen. Follow the prompts to set up your Digital Key, including verifying your identity, authorizing access to Bluetooth, and creating a PIN. You’ll also be prompted to hold your phone against the NFC reader in your car to complete the activation process. Make sure your car’s doors are unlocked and your phone is touching the designated area at the base of the driver-side door handle when prompted.
Please note that not all BMW models are equipped with NFC readers, so you may need to use a different activation method if this is the case.
Once your Digital Key has been successfully activated, you’ll be able to lock and unlock your car via Bluetooth using your smartphone. Simply open the BMW Connected App, select your vehicle from the home screen, and choose whether you want to lock or unlock the doors. You can also initiate “comfort access” by simply walking up to the driver-side door with your phone in your pocket.
“BMW’s new Digital Key technology is just one example of how the company is continuing to innovate and take advantage of new technologies to enhance the driving experience for its customers.” -BMW News
In addition to unlocking your car remotely, the BMW Connected app also allows you to share your digital key with other users. This means that family members, friends, or even coworkers can borrow your car without needing to hand over physical keys. To do this, simply select the “Digital Key Sharing” option within the app and follow the prompts to grant access to another user. You can even tailor their access permissions to restrict certain features of your car if desired.
Setting up your BMW Digital Key is a straightforward process that should only take a few minutes. With its added functionality and convenience, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it!
Add Additional Users to Your Digital Key
If you want to allow someone else to use your BMW digital key, you can easily add new users to your account. By granting them access, they will be able to unlock and start your car without having to use a physical key.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Launch the BMW Connected App from your smartphone or tablet
- Navigate to the Digital Key section
- Select “Invite User” and enter their name and email address
- The other user will receive an email with instructions on how to set up their own BMW Connected Account and download the app
- Once they have completed the setup process, they will appear in your list of authorized users in the Digital Key section
“By adding additional users to your digital key, you can give family members, friends or colleagues convenient access to your vehicle when you’re not using it.” -BMW USA
Inviting Additional Users to Your BMW Connected Account
If you want to invite another user to your Connected Account, but you don’t necessarily want to grant them full access to your digital key, you can do so by following these steps:
- Launch the BMW Connected App and navigate to the Profile section
- Select “Manage Accounts” and then “Add New User”
- Enter the person’s name and email address
- They will receive an invitation to create their own Connected Account
- You will be notified once they have accepted the invitation and added their credentials to your account
“It’s easy to invite people to your BMW Connected Account and create subaccounts for friends, family or employees, offering each individual access customized to their needs.” -BMW USA
Granting Access to Digital Key
If you have multiple users added to your Digital Key account, you can select which ones will have access to the key at any given time. Here’s how:
- Navigate to the Digital Key section in the BMW Connected App
- Select “Manage Access”
- You will see a list of authorized users, and each one will have a toggle button
- To grant someone access to your digital key, simply switch their toggle button to the “on” position
- To revoke access, just turn their toggle button off again
“By managing access to your digital key, you can ensure that only people who need it are able to use it, giving you greater peace of mind and security.” -BMW USA
Revoking Digital Key Access
If you want to remove someone’s access to your digital key permanently, here are the steps to follow:
- Navigate to the Digital Key section in the BMW Connected App
- Select “Manage Access”
- Find the user whose access you want to revoke and swipe left on their name
- Select “Revoke Access”
- The user will no longer be able to unlock or start your vehicle using the Digital Key
“With the ability to quickly revoke access to your digital key, there’s no need to worry about unauthorized use by former employees, tenants or other individuals who no longer need access to your vehicle.” -BMW USA
Managing User Permissions
If you want to give certain users additional permissions beyond basic access to your digital key, you can do so by following these steps:
- Navigate to the Profile section in the BMW Connected App
- Select “Manage Accounts”
- Find the user whose permissions you want to modify and select their name
- You will see a list of available permissions that you can grant or revoke
- Make your changes and save them
“By being able to manage user permissions, you have greater control over who can use your Digital Key, as well as what they are allowed to do once they have access to it.” -BMW USA
With these simple steps, you can easily set up and manage your BMW Digital Key account. By adding additional users and managing their access and permissions, you can ensure that only authorized individuals have access to your vehicle, giving you greater peace of mind and security.
Delete Digital Key Users
Removing Access to Digital Key
If you want to revoke the digital key of someone who had access to it previously, you can do so easily from your BMW Connected app. You should follow these steps:
- Open the BMW Connected app and select “Digital Key” from the menu at the bottom.
- Select “Access Sharing.”
- You will see a list of all people you have shared keys with. Select the person whose access you want to remove
- Tap “Delete Access”
- The selected user no longer has access to your BMW digital key
Note: If you delete access for someone who is currently using the key, their access will be revoked immediately, and they won’t be able to start or drive the vehicle anymore.
Deleting Users from BMW Connected Account
To completely remove someone’s access to your BMW account entirely, including the digital key, follow these steps:
- Log in to your BMW ConnectedDrive account on a web browser.
- Select “Manage Your Users” from the drop-down menu.
- Choose the user that you would like to delete from the list displayed by clicking on the bin icon right next to their name.
- A pop-up box will ask you to confirm whether to proceed with deleting the user. Press ‘OK’.
Please note that when you delete a user associated with your BMW ConnectedDrive account, this will also disconnect them from any other services that they might have connected, such as BMW i Remote App or third-party apps that rely on your car data.
“When it comes to the BMW ConnectedDrive application, there are data protection regulations in place that limit some of its functionality.” -TechTarget
It is best practice to remove any users who should no longer have access to your vehicle or account for safety and security reasons.
Disable Digital Key Access
The new BMW digital key has revolutionized the way we access our cars. Instead of carrying a physical key, all you need is your smartphone. However, there may be circumstances where you want to disable digital key access for security reasons or in case of an emergency. In this article, I’ll guide you through the steps on how to disable and re-enable digital key access.
Disabling Digital Key Access in Case of Emergency
In case of an emergency, such as a carjacking or theft, disabling digital key access can help prevent unauthorized access to your vehicle. To do so:
- Contact your BMW dealer or customer service center immediately to report the incident and request that they disable digital key access to your vehicle.
- You’ll be asked to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) and proof of ownership.
- Your digital key will then be disabled, and you’ll receive instructions on how to obtain a new one if necessary.
It’s important to note that disabling digital key access does not affect other methods of unlocking or starting your vehicle, such as using a traditional key fob.
Temporarily Disabling Digital Key Access
If you lose your phone or want to temporarily suspend digital key access for any reason, it’s easy to do so through the BMW Connected app. Here’s what you need to do:
- Open the BMW Connected app on your phone.
- Tap on “Digital Key” from the menu at the bottom of the screen.
- Select “Suspend my Digital Key.”
- Confirm your action by entering your PIN or biometric authentication (such as Face ID or Touch ID).
That’s it! Your BMW digital key is now temporarily disabled.
Re-Enabling Digital Key Access
If you’ve temporarily suspended your digital key access, re-enabling it is just as easy. Follow these steps:
- Open the BMW Connected app on your phone.
- Tap “Activate my Digital Key.”
- Enter your PIN or use biometric authentication to confirm your identity.
Once that’s done, your digital key access will be restored!
Disabling Digital Key Access for Lost or Stolen Phone
“If a driver loses their smartphone with an approved BMW Digital Key installed, they can immediately disable the key from the connected customer portal.” -BMW Press Release
In the unfortunate event that you lose your phone or it gets stolen, it’s important to take action immediately to protect your vehicle. Follow these steps:
- Login to your BMW ConnectedDrive account from your computer or another device.
- Select “Digital Key” from the menu and then “Disable My Digital Key.”
- You’ll receive confirmation via email that your digital key has been disabled.
It may also be wise to change all passwords associated with your account to ensure that nobody else can access your car remotely.
The new BMW digital key offers convenience and security, but it’s important to know how to disable access in case of emergency or loss of phone to keep yourself and your vehicle secure.
Troubleshoot Digital Key Issues
Connecting to Car via Bluetooth
If you’re having trouble connecting your BMW Digital key to your car via Bluetooth, there are a few things you can try:
- First, ensure that the Bluetooth on your phone is turned on and that you have paired with your car.
- Make sure that the car is close enough to the device.
- Turn off and then turn on your phone’s Bluetooth function. Alternatively, try restarting your phone completely.
If these steps don’t work, you may need to update your BMW Connected App or reset your digital key entirely.
Updating BMW Connected App
You may be experiencing issues with your BMW Digital Key if your BMW Connected app isn’t up-to-date. Follow these simple steps to update your application:
- Open your respective app store (Apple Store for iPhone users and Google Play for Android users)
- Search for “BMW Connected” in your search bar and click on the appropriate icon when it appears.
- Select the update option next to the app name.
If none of this works, there may be an issue with how the app was installed on your device. Re-installing the app would be the way forward.
Resetting Digital Key
If all else fails, resetting your BMW Digital Key could resolve any connectivity issues. Here’s how:
- Access your BMW Connected App using your login credentials,
- Locate the “Digital Keys” option and click on the one causing problems.
- Select “Remove Digital Key” option on the menu
- Confirm that you want to delete the key by selecting “Delete”.
You can then create a new Digital Key and go through the pairing process again.
Contacting BMW Customer Support
“Our goal is to respond within 24 hours.” -BMW Customer Service
If all else fails it’s best to contact BMW for expert assistance with your digital key troubles. You could try looking up some common troubleshooting issues beforehand, which might cut down on time spent on the phone with the customer service representative or ambassador. They will most likely require proof of vehicle ownership before assisting with any equipment concerns.
There are multiple ways to troubleshoot your BMW Digital Key Issues. Start by checking Bluetooth connectivity and updating the BMW Connected app. If this does not help, also consider resetting your BMW Digital Key entirely. As a last resort, contact BMW’s customer support for further assistance. By following these simple steps, you should have no issue using your BMW Digital Key in no time at all!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BMW Digital Key and how does it work?
BMW Digital Key is a feature that allows you to use your smartphone as a car key. It works by using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to communicate with the car’s locking system. With the BMW Digital Key, you can lock and unlock your car, start the engine, and even share access with others.
What are the requirements for setting up BMW Digital Key?
To use BMW Digital Key, you need a compatible smartphone that supports NFC technology and is running iOS 13.6 or later. You also need a BMW vehicle equipped with the Comfort Access feature and the latest version of the BMW Connected app installed on your phone.
How do I set up BMW Digital Key on my smartphone?
To set up BMW Digital Key, open the BMW Connected app on your smartphone and select the Digital Key option. Follow the on-screen instructions to pair your phone with your BMW vehicle. Once the pairing process is complete, you can use your phone as a car key.
To share your BMW Digital Key with others, open the BMW Connected app and select the Digital Key option. Choose the key you want to share and select the Share Key option. You can then send the key to someone else’s smartphone via text message or email. You can also set a time limit for the key’s availability.
What should I do if I lose my BMW Digital Key?
If you lose your BMW Digital Key, you can remove it from your phone using the BMW Connected app. You can also disable the key’s access to your vehicle by contacting your BMW dealer or using the BMW ConnectedDrive portal. You may need to provide proof of ownership to do this.
Can I use BMW Digital Key with multiple BMW vehicles?
Yes, you can use BMW Digital Key with multiple BMW vehicles as long as they are compatible with the feature and you have the latest version of the BMW Connected app installed on your smartphone. You will need to pair your phone with each vehicle separately to use the Digital Key feature.