Munich. Digital Key Plus is now also available for
smartphones with Android operating systems. Customers with compatible
devices from Samsung or Google can use it to unlock and lock their BMW
and start the engine without even getting their phone out of their pocket.
Digital Key Plus has been available on Apple devices since 2021.
The vehicle reacts automatically when approached or receded in the
same way as a classic vehicle key with comfort access functionality.
The orchestrated light play of the front and rear lights in
conjunction with the light carpet also functions as with the physical
key, depending on the vehicle equipment. You can now set up Digital
Key Plus on current Samsung Galaxy S23+ / Ultra and Google Pixel 7 Pro
smartphone models, and a number of older models with suitable hardware*.
High convenience and high security based on
ultra-wideband.
A smartphone with Digital Key Plus
completely replaces the vehicle key with extended functionality made
possible using ultra-wideband technology (UWB). This is a digital
radio technology for close range with high bandwidth, which features
very precise localisation with the maximum possible security. The
precision of UWB also ensures that the risk of relay attacks, where
the radio signal is jammed or intercepted, is virtually eliminated.
The BMW Group worked in collaboration with key partners like Google to
develop the corresponding specification with partners and established
it as a global standard for the automotive industry via the Car
Connectivity Consortium (CCC). The CCC is the global driving force for
vehicle connectivity for all smart mobile devices.
Goal of identical functionality across all
platforms.
Until now, Digital Key Plus has only been
compatible with iPhone and Apple Watch. The BMW Group has set the goal
to offer digital vehicle access for all customers – irrespective of
the operating system of the smartphone they use. The next important
development stage on the way to this goal is now to be able to offer
the full range of comfort access functions on Android devices.
As recently as December 2022, the BMW Group launched a further
expansion stage for Digital Key based on collaboration with partners
like Apple and Google, meaning secure, cross-platform sharing of
Digital Key between iPhone and compatible Android devices via email,
SMS or any other messaging service.
Android compatibility is available in Digital Key Plus-capable
vehicles produced from November 2022. A future remote software upgrade
will expand the capability to Digital Key Plus-capable vehicles
produced before November 2022.
* Samsung devices (running Android 13.1 or later):
Galaxy
S23+, S23 Ultra, S22+, S22 Ultra, S21+, S21 Ultra, Z Fold4, Z Fold3,
Note20 Ultra (in markets with Samsung Wallet: Bahrain, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Norway, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Qatar).
Google
devices (running Android 13.1 or later): Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 6 Pro