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BMW is the first carmaker to enable its customers to use iPhone as a fully digital car key

Mar 30, 2021

BMW Digital Key for the iPhone.
The BMW Digital Key for the iPhone will enable customers to just tap to unlock and easily get going by placing the iPhone in the smartphone tray and pushing the start button. Setup of the Digital Key can be done through the BMW Smartphone App. The car owner can also share access with up to 5 friends including a configurable car access option for young drivers which restricts top speed, horsepower, maximum radio volume, and more. Management of access can be done from inside the car as well as through Apple Wallet.

Additional features of the new Digital Key include:
– Storage in the Secure Element of your iPhone and access through Apple Wallet
– Power reserve for iPhone where car keys will still function for up to five hours if
the iPhone turns off due to low battery
– Ability to share access with up to 5 friends via iMessage
– Apple Watch compatibility

BMW is a leading contributor to the Digital Key standard.
The BMW Group was quick to recognize the potential of smartphones as digital keys – if done right. Standardizing the Digital Key contributes to user experience, security, and availability in smartphone models all of which were key to the BMW Group strategy for the Digital Key right from the start. Apple and BMW have been working closely with the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) to press ahead with the establishment of global standards. The Digital Key specification 2.0 for NFC has been released in May 2020 while the next generation of Digital Key using Ultra-Wideband technology is already well underway.

Broad availability for BMW models and iPhones.
BMW is excited to announce the availability of Digital Key for iPhone in 45 countries for a broad range of models: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, X5, X6, X7, X5M, X6M, and Z4 if manufactured after July 1st, 2020. Compatible iPhone models will be iPhone XR, iPhone XS or newer, and Apple Watch Series 5 or newer.

For more information please visit www.bmw.com/digitalkey