[RahulNagaraj]

BMW has made their car's Digital Key Plus now compatible with Android devices (version 13.1 or later) after initially being exclusive to just Apple iOS. Now, with both platforms compatible with the feature, BMW is planning to offer a "full range of comfort access functions".



Reports state that the Digital Key Plus on all BMW models produced from November 2022 will be compatible with Android. However, BMW models produced prior to the mentioned date will also be Android-compatible via an over-the-air update sometime in the future.

BMW owners with Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S23+/Ultra and Google Pixel 7 Pro will now be able to activate the digital key directly on their phones. The feature allows BMW owners to set up the vehicle to automatically lock/unlock either when walking away or towards it. It can also switch on the welcoming lights and even start the engine.

The carmaker offers owners to add five other users who can also access the digital key features either via their Android or Apple device.

Source: CarScoops

Link to Team-BHP news

[84.monsoon]

This is great news. On my M340i LCI, this works pretty seamlessly with my iphone. As long as I have the phone held near the door, it opens on touch. Only thing is, to start the engine you still need the traditional key to be inside the car. The literature does say you can start the engine by unlocking your phone and then navigating and pressing some buttons within the App, but that is clunky way to start a car.

This is an understandable precaution, since you don't want someone who stole your phone to also drive away your car immediately. Flip side is the digital key is not very useful in day to day situations as you would have the physical key also on yourself or your bag and that already would have been able to open the door for you!

[Impulsivemedusa]

However, BMW models produced prior to the mentioned date will also be Android-compatible via an over-the-air update sometime in the future.

Sadly, won't be the case in India as pre-LCI 3 series and X1 don't even come with connected features and the My BMW app doesn't work for them

[kedarwalke]

Originally Posted by 84.monsoon

This is great news. On my M340i LCI,Only thing is, to start the engine you still need the traditional key to be inside the car. The literature does say you can start the engine by unlocking your phone and then navigating and pressing some buttons within the App, but that is clunky way to start a car.

On my M340i LCI I am using my iPhone to start the engine without the physical key, by just placing it on the wireless tray.
You have probably have not set up your iPhone as the digital key on MY BMW app.Its a very straight forward process, keep both the physical keys inside the car and register your iPhone as the digital key by placing it in the wireless tray.

On my S23 Ultra,in the Samsung wallet digital key is still not supported by Samsung,hopefully a new OTA update should enable it soon.

The report says for Digital Key Plus Capable vehicles,sadly our M340i LCI does not have the Ultra wide band hardware capability to support it; only NFC support.

[Rob_Goa]

Hi,

This is a really great feature to have. Have been using the same on my x1(2023) for one month now on my android device (samsung fold 4). You do not need the key at all whether to unlock /lock or to start the car and drive. One can even share this key to whomever you want to share it with and then delete it as and when required.

Very good and unique feature and I've been extensively using it without slightest of problems. Amazing how flawless this festure is. May be they were testing is cause looks like they just made this public, but have been using it for a while (more then a month) and working very very well(only do not lose your phone.... Obviously there is a password etc for added security ofcourse).

Overall very good. Great job by bmw as its a very handy tool to have. Kudos!

[Cresterk]

Originally Posted by 84.monsoon

This is great news. On my M340i LCI, this works pretty seamlessly with my iphone. As long as I have the phone held near the door, it opens on touch. Only thing is, to start the engine you still need the traditional key to be inside the car. The literature does say you can start the engine by unlocking your phone and then navigating and pressing some buttons within the App, but that is clunky way to start a car.

This is an understandable precaution, since you don't want someone who stole your phone to also drive away your car immediately. Flip side is the digital key is not very useful in day to day situations as you would have the physical key also on yourself or your bag and that already would have been able to open the door for you!

I believe the car can be started by unlocking the phone and keeping it on the wireless charger. Though this could be limited to some other models.