BMW Digital Key Plus Now Available on Compatible Android Devices.

• Conveniently unlock, start, or lock the vehicle without taking the phone out of one’s pocket.
• An important step towards the goal of identical functionality across all platforms.
• Available now in Digital Key Plus-capable vehicles produced from November 2022.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – April 24, 2023…BMW Digital Key Plus is now also available for smartphones with Android operating systems. Previously compatible only with Apple devices, now customers with compatible devices from Samsung or Google can use them to unlock, lock, and start their BMWs without getting the phone out of their pockets. 

Digital Key Plus can now be set up and activated on current Samsung Galaxy S23+ / Ultra and Google Pixel 7 Pro smartphones, and a number of older models with suitable hardware*. The vehicle can be programmed to lock or unlock as the customer approaches or walks away with their device just as with a conventional vehicle key with comfort access functionality. The orchestrated welcome light display and light carpet also function as with the physical key, depending on the vehicle equipment.

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 localization 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. BMW worked in collaboration with key partners to develop the corresponding specification 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.

The BMW Digital Key Plus can be set up using the My BMW App. The owner can also share it – and therefore access to the vehicle – with up to five other users who have smartphones with either Android or iOS.

Express Mode adds to the convenience of Digital Key Plus by allowing users to lock/unlock and start their vehicle without unlocking their phone, even up to five hours after the phone’s battery has completely drained.

Goal of identical functionality across all platforms.

Until now, Digital Key Plus has only been compatible with iPhone and Apple Watch. BMW 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)

Google devices (running Android 13.1 or later):

Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 6 Pro

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975.  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003.  The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country.  BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is the BMW Group global center of competence for BMW X models and manufactures the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles as well as the BMW XM. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 350 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers,146 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers.  BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

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Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com, www.miniusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com. 

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