BMW claims it will be the first carmaker to enable customers to use Apple’s iPhone as a fully digital car key.

It also claims to have been first to integrate iPod in its vehicles and to offer wireless CarPlay.
 
The upcoming digital key will enable customers to tap to unlock and start the car by placing an iPhone in the smartphone tray and pushing the start button.

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Setup can be done through the BMW Smartphone app.

The car owner can also share access with up to five friends including a configurable car access option for young drivers which restricts top speed, horse power, maximum radio volume and more.

Management of access can be done from inside the car as well as through Apple Wallet.

Additional features of the new Digital Key include:

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  • Storage in the secure element of the iPhone and access through Apple Wallet
  • Power reserve for iPhone where car keys will still function for up to five hours if the iPhone turns off due to low battery 
  • Ability to share access with up to 5 friends via iMessage
  • Apple Watch compatibility

BMW is a leading contributor to the digital key standard and said it was quick to recognise the potential of smartphones as digital keys – if done right.

“Standardising the digital key contributes to user experience, security and availability in smartphone models all of which were key to the group strategy for the key right from the start,” BMW said.

Apple and BMW have worked with the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) to establish global standards.

The digital key specification 2.0 for NFC was released in May 2020 while the next generation of digital key using ultra wideband technology is already well under way.

The digital Key for iPhone will be offered in 45 countries for a broad range of models.

Compatible phone models will be iPhone XR, XS or newer and Apple Watch Series 5 or newer.