[Skyrider]

Originally Posted by thenew3

I don't think they are using NFC for the new Apple digital key.
On Android, you'll have to hold the phone next to the door handle for the NFC to work, then place the phone in the charging tray to start the car.

On the Apple version (from what I've seen) You just walk towards the car and it will auto unlock. You don't need to hold the phone up to the door handle to unlock it. So maybe they are using bluetooth or wifi or some other means to detect the presence of the digital key enabled iphone.

The initial take on the iPhone digital key will only allow it to work exactly like Android and the digital key card that came with the car. You will have to hold the phone to the door handle to unlock it and put it in the charging pad to start the car. The next iteration will work as you stated.

Also, all X7 are capable of unlocking the car by proximity. Currently, if you have that feature enabled in iDrive, and the key is in your pocket, the car will unlock itself as you approach it and will lock itself as you walk away from it. So IMO, I think the X7 has all the necessary hardware to make apple digital key work. BMW needs to update the car's software to allow communication protocol with the Apple iPhone to take place. I think BMW is not there yet, so they are not committing to anything. The same thing happened with Drive Recorder. Initially they said DR was only available on 2020 X7s, then they rolled it out to the 2019s with a software update.

[ifr]

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=26461600

[Heimdall]

Originally Posted by thenew3

Ok I'm not an iphone user so I'm just going by what the bmw genius guy said. He was trying to persuade me to switch to an iphone because he can't get my android working with digital key.

He said it's much better with iphone, you don't need to hold phone up to the handle, just walk up close to the car and it will auto unlock.

I'm guessing he was taking you for a ride.
Never the less, Apple would make everyone's life easier if they just add that NFC to their phones and everyone would live digital key ever after.

[Heimdall]

Ok so here's a new twist for everyone.

This screenshot is from iOS 14.

Way I'm seeing it.
Deal is sealed.
Everyone will get this BMW Digital key.

Question is would we get it for free or have to pay for that app addon, since we are given the Android one only for a year. 🤔 ???

Thoughts anyone?
Anyone in BMW willing to give us a hint or something 😬

[ifr]

Originally Posted by Heimdall

Ok so here's a new twist for everyone.

This screenshot is from iOS 14.

Way I'm seeing it.
Deal is sealed.
Everyone will get this BMW Digital key.

Question is would we get it for free or have to pay for that app addon, since we are given the Android one only for a year. 🤔 ???

Thoughts anyone?
Anyone in BMW willing to give us a hint or something 😬

Please review this post for information on BMW Digital Key 1.5: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...2#post26477802

[Heimdall]

Originally Posted by ifr

Please review this post for information on BMW Digital Key 1.5: https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...2#post26477802

I read It all, seems pretty consistant and logical
Specially that... well I'll make it a surprise for Everyone in an independent post

[LittleJoe]

Originally Posted by Skyrider

Also, all X7 are capable of unlocking the car by proximity. Currently, if you have that feature enabled in iDrive, and the key is in your pocket, the car will unlock itself as you approach it and will lock itself as you walk away from it. So IMO, I think the X7 has all the necessary hardware to make apple digital key work. BMW needs to update the car's software to allow communication protocol with the Apple iPhone to take place. I think BMW is not there yet, so they are not committing to anything. The same thing happened with Drive Recorder. Initially they said DR was only available on 2020 X7s, then they rolled it out to the 2019s with a software update.

I believe you are spot on and BMW only needs to release a software update for all X7 owners with iPhones to start using Car Key. I believe it all comes down to BMW supporting OTA updates as advertised and promised since the X7 was released. That said I still don't see Car Key as anything to get excited about, the FOB works much better. When Car Key can function like the FOB (leave your iPhone in your pocket) then it will be worth having. Until then, Car Key is certainly not worth worrying about IMO. More hype than anything else for now.

[sbkim]

Looks like my 2021 X7 has Car key. Only issue for my wife is that she has iphone 8 and the app is indicating that we need Iphone X or higher to work? Is this accurate?

Thanks

Update... found this:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211234#what-you-need

[Wild Blue]

Originally Posted by sbkim

Looks like my 2021 X7 has Car key. Only issue for my wife is that she has iphone 8 and the app is indicating that we need Iphone X or higher to work? Is this accurate?

Thanks

Update... found this:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211234#what-you-need

Good find, thanks. I don't know if I had seen for sure before, that the Apple Watch could be used as a car key too.

Easy solution, do what I'll be doing. My iPhone is years old and dying. My Apple Watch needs a refresh. So this fall, I'll likely be buying a new X7, iPhone, and Apple Watch all around the same time, when Apple releases the new phone and watch models.

[shinm5]

worked on wife's 2021 iPhone Xs..not on regular X (mine)

[LittleJoe]

Originally Posted by shinm5

worked on wife's 2021 iPhone Xs..not on regular X (mine)

iPhone X or earlier phones do not support Car Key. I found this on Apples web site:

[CruiseControl]

The Connecteddrive app online only shows Digital Key for Samsung only. I have an iPhone 11. After upgrading iDrive yesterday I can now see an option for Digital Key but does appear to work for my iPhone. Should it?

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by CruiseControl

The Connecteddrive app online only shows Digital Key for Samsung only. I have an iPhone 11. After upgrading iDrive yesterday I can now see an option for Digital Key but does appear to work for my iPhone. Should it?

According to current BMW marketing materials for this feature, no. BMW is only officially releasing this feature for cars with a build date of July 2020 and newer - which I believe is the beginning of MY2021 cars. However, in reality, all 2020 X7's and some late 2019 X7's should have the capability to use this feature - but BMW has yet to turn it on via software (if they ever will officially).

[XSnake]

Can I understand it this way? All 2021 X7 will have this feature because they are all made after July 1. Thank you.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by XSnake

Can I understand it this way? All 2021 X7 will have this feature because they are all made after July 1. Thank you.

In theory? Yes...

[MomoM3]

Originally Posted by jmciver

In theory? Yes...

My 2021 X7 went in to production on 7/31/2020, ended on 8/13/2020, and does indeed have Digital Car Key. Works great. Love it and very happy I have it.

[TRujder]

So no more apple Carkey for x7 prior 07/20, I just got info from BMW Germany that it is not possible to retrofit Apple Carkey protocol. This requires hardware changes.....

[LittleJoe]

Originally Posted by TRujder

So no more apple Carkey for x7 prior 07/20, I just got info from BMW Germany that it is not possible to retrofit Apple Carkey protocol. This requires hardware changes.....

I've posted my feelings about this in the past but at this point Apple Car Key is not really that great of an option. The fob that comes with your car works much better. I expect Apple and BMW will improve Car Key in the future to work as well as a fob in that you would not need to remove your phone from your pocket or place the phone on the charging pad as you need to do with Car Key today. IMO Car Key is a lot of hype 'for now'.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by LittleJoe

I've posted my feelings about this in the past but at this point Apple Car Key is not really that great of an option. The fob that comes with your car works much better. I expect Apple and BMW will improve Car Key in the future to work as well as a fob in that you would not need to remove your phone from your pocket or place the phone on the charging pad as you need to do with Car Key today. IMO Car Key is a lot of hype 'for now'.

Well said.

I have no interest in this feature because it is more work and more complexity for something that has been solved very well a decade ago by BMW. The tradeoff of having one less thing in your pocket for increased inconvenience isn't worth it.

[TRujder]

I understand, but we are 2-3 people using the car, so this would help us to remove the problem of switching keys and switching car profiles...