Larger flexibility: BMW Digital Key can now be shared between iPhone and Android units.

The BMW Group is continuous to drive the digitalisation of entry to its autos in co-development with Apple and Google. It’s now attainable to share a BMW Digital Key throughout platforms between iPhone and Android units. Beforehand, keys may solely be shared by way of Apple iMessage. There’s now now not any want for a selected app or a set methodology of transmission. As a substitute, keys could be simply handed on to buddies or household from the pockets utilizing the native “share” operate identified from many apps.

Because of this sharing a BMW Digital Key now takes the simple type of sending a hyperlink. The important thing could be despatched by e-mail, SMS or every other messaging service, e.g. WhatsApp. The recipient doesn’t require both a selected app or a BMW ID. So as to add the Digital Key to their pockets, they merely click on on the hyperlink. If the proprietor and recipient are standing subsequent to one another, the important thing may also be shared by way of Apple AirDrop or Android Close by Share. In sure circumstances, an activation code might must be entered within the automobile for safety causes, which the sender would ideally open up to the recipient by way of a special channel. As soon as a digital key has been obtained on an iPhone, the recipient can add it to an Apple Watch simply as simply.

This new operate is accessible for all new autos with BMW Digital Key or BMW Digital Key Plus. Older suitably outfitted autos will be capable of make full use of this function as soon as their software program has been up to date to standing “22-11” or later by way of Distant Software program Improve. Cross-platform sharing will initially be accessible for appropriate iPhones and Google smartphones*, with fashions from Samsung set to observe shortly.

This newest improve is the results of an in depth collaboration between BMW and its companions Apple, Google and Samsung below the umbrella of the Automotive Connectivity Consortium (CCC). It marks one other milestone for the BMW Digital Key en route to finish cross-platform interoperability – and in the direction of securing the standing of smartphones as digital automobile keys.

* Apple iPhone (operating iOS 16.1 or later) or Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Professional, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Professional (operating Android 13 or later)