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      07-02-2020, 12:41 PM   #1
mlavio829
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iPhone Digital Key

Hello Everyone,
Just wondering if anyone has been able to try out the new iPhone digital key?
I notice today there was an update for BMW Connected Drive (version 10.8) which allows the BMW digital key.
It mentions a broad range of vehicles if manufactured after July 1, 2020. Why would this not work for G20 vehicles prior to July 1 2020?
I have a card digital key and have the Samsung Digital Key option. Why would the iPhone Digital key not work?

Any ideas?
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      07-02-2020, 12:44 PM   #2
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From the latest press release:

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/globa...s-new-services

Quote:
5. BMW Digital Key for iPhone.

BMW is the first car manufacturer to enable its customers to use their iPhone as a fully digital car key. The digital key from BMW is stored on a chip in the iPhone as a so-called secure element and communicates with the vehicle using NFC technology. It was developed according to the standards of the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), to which both Apple and BMW belong.

Not only does the digital key make it possible to open and close the car without a physical key, the car can also be started via iPhone. The customer furthermore has the option of sharing the key with up to five users quickly and easily via smartphone. This technology can even regulate the vehicle’s use: for example, if the key is shared with an inexperienced or young driver, the owner of the master key can set limits for speed, power (HP) and radio volume. The digital key can also manage several vehicles simultaneously. The NFC hardware required for the digital key is available for vehicles produced from July 2020.
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      07-02-2020, 04:48 PM   #3
Osxboy
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I’m guessing you need comfort access, from the details on the BMW info webpage, which in the UK is part of the comfort pack and you can’t get it as a separate item. Plus the NFC device so >1st July 2020
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      07-02-2020, 06:00 PM   #4
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They claim that the July 2020 onwards vehicles have new NFC hardware. Somehow our cars, one of mine is June 2020, aren't good enough to get this new hardware despite having the NFC key card and android digital key capability.

I call BS as NFC is very much a standard (if it works for android, the iPhone can be programmed to use it). The car connectivity standardisation is purely process and software. Then again, if BMW could offer it to previous customers, they certainly would as it would be an opportunity to add another costly connected drive store feature.

Unfortunately, I don't think it's coming to existing customers
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      07-03-2020, 02:09 AM   #5
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Having been an Apple Developer way back in the distant past I would expect that a specific revision of the NFC technology e.g. chip firmware will be required for Apple’s software to work. My 330e is due to go into production this week so I may get the new version but I’m not getting comfort access so I’m not expecting it to work! Agree that it’s always rubbish when something is only available from the month after your car is built. Very common in the IT world.
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      07-03-2020, 05:57 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Osxboy View Post
I'm guessing you need comfort access, from the details on the BMW info webpage, which in the UK is part of the comfort pack and you can't get it as a separate item. Plus the NFC device so >1st July 2020
Doesn't the G20 already have NFC for the digital card and Samsung phones though?
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      07-03-2020, 10:11 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by digitallust View Post
Doesn't the G20 already have NFC for the digital card and Samsung phones though?
Yup....which is why this is really frustrating that all BMWs on the road probably won't get this update despite having what most of us believe is the necessary hardware to do so.
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      07-03-2020, 10:19 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RCtennis3811 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitallust View Post
Doesn't the G20 already have NFC for the digital card and Samsung phones though?
Yup....which is why this is really frustrating that all BMWs on the road probably won't get this update despite having what most of us believe is the necessary hardware to do so.
Exactly,
I mean an iPhone is futureproofed to run multiple new software versions and features for years , yet bmw can obsolete a car in the
matter of months
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      07-03-2020, 11:40 AM   #9
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Good question it has the NFC function in the charging tray but in the door handle? Possibly that’s the difference between MY20 and MY21. My car is now MY21 and due 1st September.
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      07-03-2020, 12:10 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Osxboy View Post
Good question it has the NFC function in the charging tray but in the door handle? Possibly that’s the difference between MY20 and MY21. My car is now MY21 and due 1st September.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Osxboy View Post
Good question it has the NFC function in the charging tray but in the door handle? Possibly that's the difference between MY20 and MY21. My car is now MY21 and due 1st September.
If you have comfort access then you have an NFC reader in the door handle as well. It is used for Samsung phones and the keycard which is supplied with the car.

This is why it's quite frustrating as it should work with iPhone.
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      07-04-2020, 12:25 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PBJ View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Osxboy View Post
Good question it has the NFC function in the charging tray but in the door handle? Possibly that's the difference between MY20 and MY21. My car is now MY21 and due 1st September.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Osxboy View Post
Good question it has the NFC function in the charging tray but in the door handle? Possibly that's the difference between MY20 and MY21. My car is now MY21 and due 1st September.
If you have comfort access then you have an NFC reader in the door handle as well. It is used for Samsung phones and the keycard which is supplied with the car.

This is why it's quite frustrating as it should work with iPhone.
I just keep my nfc card inside of the back of my iPhone case and use as needed. Sort of a workaround.
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      07-04-2020, 12:30 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nola2atx View Post
I just keep my nfc card inside of the back of my iPhone case and use as needed. Sort of a workaround.
Ooh does that work? I tried it myself but the card wouldn't be picked up, especially when I put it on the charging tray in the car

I think it interferes with my Apple Pay digital cards.
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      07-04-2020, 12:39 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by digitallust View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by RCtennis3811 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitallust View Post
Doesn't the G20 already have NFC for the digital card and Samsung phones though?
Yup....which is why this is really frustrating that all BMWs on the road probably won't get this update despite having what most of us believe is the necessary hardware to do so.
Exactly,
I mean an iPhone is futureproofed to run multiple new software versions and features for years , yet bmw can obsolete a car in the
matter of months
I agree this is frustrating. What I expect happened is that the hardware needed for iPhones didn't exist for BMW at launch. I mean it never made sense it worked for Android (specific phone though) but didn't have Android car play or whatever it's called.

I very much feel the G20 is a test model for all these changes. Next year will be something available for cars built after Dec only etc and so it goes on.

Tbh I'm not sure how often I would even use my iPhone as a key as I have comfort access and the key just stays in my pocket so I'm not too annoyed. What's more annoying is that the high beam assistant software also isn't available for pre July cars.
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      07-04-2020, 12:39 AM   #14
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Ah yes, unfortunately you can't use both. Can always keep it in there and remove as needed so you dont have to carry a wallet and key. Really is too bad the digital iPhone key doesn't work for us early adopters.
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      07-05-2020, 09:25 AM   #15
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Definitely a bit annoying. That said, I just watched the Apple demo of it again and I can’t imagine opting to use the phone over the key very often anyway.

With the comfort access, its easier to walk up to the car and pull the handle, get in and hit the start button without having to get your phone out to tap on the handle and put on the charging tray.

Being able to share keys is quite innovative, but other than my wife who has a key, I can’t think when I’d ever do it.
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      07-05-2020, 04:29 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by srbs73 View Post
Definitely a bit annoying. That said, I just watched the Apple demo of it again and I can’t imagine opting to use the phone over the key very often anyway.

With the comfort access, its easier to walk up to the car and pull the handle, get in and hit the start button without having to get your phone out to tap on the handle and put on the charging tray.

Being able to share keys is quite innovative, but other than my wife who has a key, I can’t think when I’d ever do it.
Absolutely this. I have comfort access and all I do is to approach the car and it opens, and I walk away and it closes, it's very rare that you have to actually pull the handle to open it or use the key to close it.

Situations in which you may need to pull the handle to open are normally related to coming from the back of the car, but anyway you don't need the phone. True that you have to keep the key with you though.

Personally, I find it quite scary to depend on the phone.

I have a Samsung phone and I could've activated the phone access function, but I'm yet to see how that could be useful --aside from the rate instances in which you may forget the key inside the house.
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      07-05-2020, 04:31 PM   #17
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I found this in the Certificate of Conformity of the car. Maybe this helps identify why (if) the Android and the Apple implementations are different.
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      07-08-2020, 08:12 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nola2atx View Post
Ah yes, unfortunately you can't use both. Can always keep it in there and remove as needed so you dont have to carry a wallet and key. Really is too bad the digital iPhone key doesn't work for us early adopters.
So are you saying because my iPhone is set up to unlock, start etc. I can not use the key card now? Before my phone started working I could never get the card to open the door to begin with..?
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      07-08-2020, 08:43 AM   #19
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Vehicles produced from July onward, I hope that includes July because mine is due for production next week.
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      07-08-2020, 06:49 PM   #20
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This frustrates me terribly! I have a 2020 330i with a 1/20 build so I guess I don't get to use my iPhone as a key. Does anyone have any insight as to how this will/might effect resale/trade in value?
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      07-08-2020, 07:22 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mermaid! View Post
This frustrates me terribly! I have a 2020 330i with a 1/20 build so I guess I don't get to use my iPhone as a key. Does anyone have any insight as to how this will/might effect resale/trade in value?
Are you serious??
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      07-09-2020, 02:32 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mermaid! View Post
This frustrates me terribly! I have a 2020 330i with a 1/20 build so I guess I don't get to use my iPhone as a key. Does anyone have any insight as to how this will/might effect resale/trade in value?
Sadly your car is now worth 0 because it doesn't have the option to open with an iPhone....

Don't worry about. It has no impact on trade in value.

90% of all options contribute nothing to the trade in value. Spec £5k on options on a car you'd be lucky to get £500 back on trade in / sale value.
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