Google has been constantly making changes to Android to make it a versatile operating system that enables users to do different day-to-day tasks in a hassle-free manner. Speaking specifically about cars, Android Auto has been there for over a decade now.
The company even introduced the Android Digital Car Key as part of the Android 12 in 2021. This feature adds a digital key to your Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet, allowing you to access your car when you don’t have the key fob on you.
Google made it available to select phones and vehicles later that year. BMW was the first car manufacturer to adopt the Android Digital Car Key in December 2021. If you are unaware, the car company calls it the “BMW Digital Key.”
What is BMW Digital Key and How is it different from BMW Digital Key Plus?
Before we jump into how to set up the BMW Digital Key section, let me walk you through the details about BMW Digital Key and BMW Digital Key Plus. As the name suggests, both are Digital Keys that offer an innovative and hassle-free way to lock, unlock, or start your BMW car without using the manufacturer-provided car keys.
Although both have the same purpose, they rely on different technology to work. While the BMW Digital Key uses Near Field Communication (NFC), the BMW Digital Key Plus, a BMW-exclusive feature, uses ultra-wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth.
Besides, there are some differences in how you access your BMW car with both the digital keys. To unlock your BMW car with a Digital Key, you are required to hold your phone to the door handle. But, BMW’s Digital Key Plus goes beyond that by automatically unlocking your car when it detects you are near it.
BMW Digital Key Plus also offers some advanced features like Great Entrance Moments, Remote Control Parking, and more. Now that you are here, we are assuming you’ve got a shiny new BMW car and wondering how to set up the BMW Digital Key on an Android device. But, before that let’s take a look at the list of models that support BMW Digital Key.
What BMW Models are Compatible with the BMW Digital Key?
According to the company’s official documentation, the following car models are compatible with the BMW Digital Key:
Note: In the below list SOP stands for Start of Production.
- 1 Series (F40) | SOP – July 2020
- 1 Series (F70)
- 2 Series (F44) | SOP – July 2020
- 2 Series (G42)
- 3 Series (G20/G21) | SOP – July 2020 (G21) & August 2020 (G20)
- 4 Series (G22/G23/G26) | SOP – July 2020
- 5 Series (G60)
- 7 Series (G70)
- 8 Series (G15/G16/G14) | SOP – July 2020
- M2 (G87)
- M3 (G80/G81/G82) (Only with M Steptronic transmission)
- M4 (G82/G83) (Only with M Steptronic transmission)
- M5 (G90/G99)
- M8 (F92/F93) | SOP – July 2020
- X1 (U11)
- X2 (U10)
- X3 LCI (G01/F97)
- X3 (45)
- X4 LCI (G02/F98)
- X5 (G05/F95) | SOP August 2020
- X5 LCI (G05/F95)
- X6 (G06) | SOP August 2020
- X7 (G07) | SOP August 2020
- X7 LCI (G07)
- XM (G09)
- iX3 (G08)
- iX (I20)
How to Setup BMW Digital Key on Android Devices
Currently, you can use the BMW Digital Key on compatible Android devices from Google, Samsung, Xiaomi 13, and more. However, you should ensure that you have a compatible BMW car model with an eligible production date and equipment to use this feature keyless car accessing feature. If you have figured out these things already, let’s move the setup process of the BMW Digital Car on Android devices.
Note: The steps mentioned below work for setting up BMW Digital Key eligible Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones and Xiaomi 13 or newer models.
Before we proceed, please make sure you have a BMW ID with a linked car and My BMW App to set up the BMW Digital Key on eligible Android devices.
- First, launch the My BMW App.
- Next, tap the BMW Digital Key tile from within the My BMW App.
- Now, you’ll see the “Welcome BMW Digital Key” screen, from here tap the Set up Digital Key option placed at the bottom of the screen.
- Then, tap the Continue button making sure you have both the physical keys inside your BMW car.
- On the next screen, tap Start Pairing.
- Then, place your Android phone in the Smartphone tray in your BMW car to complete the pairing.
- Finally, follow the on-screen prompts on your Google device to add the BMW Digital Key to your Home screen.
If you are looking for a video that further explains how to set up the BMW Digital Key on an Android device, please check the embedded YouTube video from BMW.
Banner Image Source: BMW
Now that we’ve answered how to set up the BMW Digital Key on Android devices, it’s time for you to learn how to use the Digital Key without any issues.
How to Use BMW Digital Key
Once you’ve set up the BMW Digital Key, your compatible Android phone will be able to lock, unlock, and start your BMW car, given that the model you own supports using the Digital Key. All that is good, but you must be thinking how can I use the BMW Digital Key?
To unlock your BMW car, simply hold the backside of the compatible phone near the car’s door handle. That said, sometimes you might need to try placing your phone in different positions depending on where the NFC antenna is located on your phone. Once you’re inside the car, place your device in the smartphone tray and press the start/stop button as shown in the image below.
Note: The BMW Digital key will work for several hours in case your phone goes into power reserve mode
That’s all we have for you in this guide where we discussed all how to setup the BMW Digital Key on an Android device. If any of your colleagues or friends just got a brand new BMW car and wondering how to set up and use the Digital Key, please share this article with them.
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