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      12-03-2021, 01:09 PM   #1
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Use Android Phone as Digital Key

Hi,

When I first got my 2020 M340, my phone at the time, a Samsung S8, worked as a digital key. After a while, BMW reverted to its penchant towards Apple products and eliminated Android phones digital key functionality.

Well, my old phone went the the way of all electronics and I now have a Samsung 21+; while I have my BMW App on it, the Android version no longer has the the tab to make the phone a digital key. I just read the following article (albeit from Singapore) and am really wondering when Android's will get Digital Key capability again: https://bmw-sg.us13.list-manage.com/...c&e=ba4195c6ca

The Samsung S21+ seems to have the same NFC capabilities as an iPhone; as a matter of fact, I often use touch and pay with it when I see the iPhone touch and pay logo

Anyone have any ideas if and when this will come to pass?
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      12-05-2021, 03:37 PM   #2
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IIRC this functionality depends on UWB too and not NFC technology alone. That being said, the S21+ does have UWB hardware in it.

Back in May, Google announced that digital car key support will be rolling out with Android 12. I believe the S21 Android 12 update started rolling out in November. If your phone is carrier locked and haven't received the update yet, I'd check with your carrier for a rollout timeline.

Why it was removed in the first place? I'm assuming some security or standardization concerns across device manufacturers...not sure. Android OEMs have a history of implementing the same technology in different ways which makes it difficult for 3rd party app makers to account for and continuously support the different devices.

I'm hoping that my Galaxy Z Fold3 gets this support as well. Supposedly the Android 12 update is supposed to start rolling out for my phone sometime this month, so we'll see how long it takes to have the feature enabled after that.
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      12-05-2021, 09:37 PM   #3
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stepheng273 ,

My phone recently got Android 12 OTA, but I can't figure how to use as digital key since Android myBMW doesn't have that
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      12-06-2021, 11:50 AM   #4
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I found this in the Samsung forums:
https://r1.community.samsung.com/t5/.../td-p/14178282

It just showed up for them after updating to Android 12. Even though it shows up in the app, it's not working for them.

From G20 Forum:
https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1881174

It's even popping up for unsupported devices after updating MyBMW app and restarting.

From the G05 forum:
https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=28320754

Looks like someone got it setup with their S21. The UWB features aren't available yet though.


Seems like this feature rollout isn't very consistent. Maybe it's a phased rollout?


EDIT: Another tidbit of info, only cars that were built July 2020 (some sources say late July) forward are compatible. If your car isn't compatible then it won't show up in the app. I have a 2019 so that's a no go for me...

Last edited by stepheng273; 12-06-2021 at 04:36 PM..
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      12-07-2021, 11:29 AM   #5
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stepheng273 ,

Very much appreciate your research & assistance.

I guess my car made in June 19 is a no-go. What I don't understand is that the myBMW app doesn't even have digital key tile
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      12-07-2021, 03:32 PM   #6
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Did you upgrade your car's software with the new update that just came out? You have to have that upgrade. Digital key now shows on my app. Unfortunately, I can't use it because I have a Pixel 5
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      12-07-2021, 04:10 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RSnic View Post
stepheng273 ,

Very much appreciate your research & assistance.

I guess my car made in June 19 is a no-go. What I don't understand is that the myBMW app doesn't even have digital key tile
Same issue here. 12/19 build date on mine. I wonder how Digital Key 1.0 and 1.5 differ in terms of hardware.
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      12-07-2021, 09:03 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greekcs View Post
Same issue here. 12/19 build date on mine. I wonder how Digital Key 1.0 and 1.5 differ in terms of hardware.
Putting this here. This thread has a lot of good info in it. It answered some of my questions and provides some additional insight on the hardware, software, and possible risks BMW would have to assume by updating the cars.

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1742346

There's no additional hardware needed as far as the OP is aware. There used to be the risk of breaking DK 1.0 users, but I would imagine all of those active subscriptions should be ending soon (if not already ended). Here's hoping the OP is right about the hardware and BMW decides to update the pre 07/2020 cars.
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      12-30-2021, 07:56 AM   #9
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My Verizon Samsung Flip 3 got Android 12 update 2 days ago and when I try to register digital key on MyBMW app it still says that my phone is incompatible. This is on a 2022 M440i GC.
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      01-04-2022, 11:56 AM   #10
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Yes this is super annoying I used to have the digital key on my S10+ and after the year expired can't get it anymore.
I have a S21+ now and I am 100% sure it should work with the car if the S10+ worked but I didn't take the plunge to Android 12 yet.
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      01-08-2022, 08:16 AM   #11
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Well, indeed this is annoying because I know that my current phone (Samsung S21+) has same NFC as an iPhone and everything I've read indicates that what's in car will work with iPhone

I checked myBMW app and apparently "Big Brother" BMW knows what's best because myBMW app (v1.7.2 (11196)) doesn't even have the 4th panel for digital key-- so because my car's VIN shows the car was built before the mystical July 2020 date.

Oh well, I guess that's why Bayer makes Aspirin
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      01-08-2022, 11:00 AM   #12
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Yeah I think they only make that available for the newer cars with the UWB module? Even though my car worked just fine without that in the past
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      01-10-2022, 04:00 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RSnic View Post
Well, indeed this is annoying because I know that my current phone (Samsung S21+) has same NFC as an iPhone and everything I've read indicates that what's in car will work with iPhone

I checked myBMW app and apparently "Big Brother" BMW knows what's best because myBMW app (v1.7.2 (11196)) doesn't even have the 4th panel for digital key-- so because my car's VIN shows the car was built before the mystical July 2020 date.

Oh well, I guess that's why Bayer makes Aspirin
Have you updated your vehicle's software?
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      01-10-2022, 06:46 AM   #14
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PotapMK ,

My car currently has software version 07/2021.40 which was done at dealer last fall. The November update, of course, will be available in March OTA

I have MyBMW app (v1.7.2 11196)) on my phone

Does the November update make a difference?
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