PressClub Global · Article.
Greater flexibility: BMW Digital Key can now be shared between iPhone and Android devices.
Wed Dec 21 08:00:00 CET 2022 Press Release
+++ Latest upgrade for BMW Digital Key and BMW Digital Key Plus +++ Cross-platform compatibility between iOS and Android +++ Key can be shared securely between iPhone and Google devices using e-mail, SMS or any other messaging service +++ Will soon also be compatible with models from Samsung +++
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Munich. The BMW Group is continuing to drive the
digitalisation of access to its vehicles in co-development with Apple
and Google. It is now possible to share a BMW Digital Key across
platforms between iPhone and Android devices. Previously, keys could
only be shared via Apple iMessage. There is now no longer any need for
a specific app or a set method of transmission. Instead, keys can be
easily passed on to friends or family from the wallet using the native
“share” function known from many apps.
This means that sharing a BMW Digital Key now takes the
straightforward form of sending a link. The key can be sent by e-mail,
SMS or any other messaging service, e.g. WhatsApp. The recipient does
not require either a specific app or a BMW ID. To add the Digital Key
to their wallet, they simply click on the link. If the owner and
recipient are standing next to each other, the key can also be shared
via Apple AirDrop or Android Nearby Share. In certain cases, an
activation code may have to be entered in the vehicle for security
reasons, which the sender would ideally disclose to the recipient via
a different channel. Once a digital key has been received on an
iPhone, the recipient can add it to an Apple Watch just as easily.
This new function is available for all new vehicles with BMW
Digital Key or BMW Digital Key Plus. Older suitably equipped vehicles
will be able to make full use of this feature once their software has
been updated to status “22-11” or later via Remote Software Upgrade.
Cross-platform sharing will initially be available for compatible
iPhones and Google smartphones*, with models from Samsung set to
follow shortly.
This latest upgrade is the result of a close collaboration
between BMW and its partners Apple, Google and Samsung under the
umbrella of the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC). It marks another
milestone for the BMW Digital Key en route to complete cross-platform
interoperability – and towards securing the status of smartphones as
digital vehicle keys.
* Apple iPhone (running iOS 16.1 or later) or Google Pixel 7,
Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro (running Android 13 or later)