[clone1008]

Just an update that is not good news. I was speaking with a very knowledgeable Genius rep and he shared with me that BMW has quietly discontinued Digital Key on Samung phones with no plans at the moment of pursuing it. Those phones that it is still working on will gradually stop working as OTA updates are pushed out.

[NYC_340i]

Wonderful... I called a Genuis rep back in April to see when they will add the S20 Ultra to the list of compatible devices and they said in a few months. Guess that's not happening anymore.

[xlover]

Originally Posted by clone1008

Just an update that is not good news. I was speaking with a very knowledgeable Genius rep and he shared with me that BMW has quietly discontinued Digital Key on phone with no plans at the moment of pursuing it. Those phones that it is still working on will gradually stop working as OTA updates are pushed out.

Isn't bmw the launch partner for digital key 2.0? Seems like this would be more of a phased upgrade?

[clone1008]

Originally Posted by xlover

Isn't bmw the launch partner for digital key 2.0? Seems like this would be more of a phased upgrade?

Perhaps with iPhone but my call was Samsung related and that is what I was told.

[wassap]

Seems odd why it’s just Samsung and not all Android phones? Maybe it’s older versions of Samsung that aren’t being supported

[clone1008]

Originally Posted by wassap

Seems odd why it’s just Samsung and not all Android phones? Maybe it’s older versions of Samsung that aren’t being supported

I have a Galaxy S20 Ultra. Maybe it's Android all together.

[NYC_340i]

Originally Posted by wassap

Seems odd why it’s just Samsung and not all Android phones? Maybe it’s older versions of Samsung that aren’t being supported

According to their website it says Samsung S7 and newer will work.

My S10+ worked just fine but me S20 Ultra shows as incompatible.

[del82]

Once you update to 07.2020 Samsung digital key will disappear.

Cars built from July 2020 will only support iPhone digital key.

Software 07.2020 will not enable support for iPhone digital key on cars built before July 2020.

I have 07.2020 and Samsung digital key has gone.

[del82]

Originally Posted by xlover

Isn't bmw the launch partner for digital key 2.0? Seems like this would be more of a phased upgrade?

As I understand it they are partnering with Apple on this.

It's why cars built from July 2020 have a new chip in the door handle to enable it to work on the iPhone but not Android.

Cars built before July 2020 won't be able to use an iPhone as a digital key.

[clone1008]

Originally Posted by del82

Once you update to 07.2020 Samsung digital key will disappear.

Cars built from July 2020 will only support iPhone digital key.

Software 07.2020 will not enable support for iPhone digital key on cars built before July 2020.

I have 07.2020 and Samsung digital key has gone.

Correct, which is why I was told that as OTA updates start rolling out Samsung phones that had the digital key on them will no longer work. According to BMW 07.2020 will start rolling out OTA this fall in the US. In my case I bought a 330i 2 weeks ago with a build date of 2/20. I demanded the 07.2020 be installed before taking delivery to be able to have Android Auto which is more important than a digital key on my phone.

[440xiGCMSport2]

It is total stupidity of BMW only have apple carplay and key. There are more Android phones than apple in the marketplace. They are losing car sales to this and don't even know it. As the car, phones, and home become more integrated they will lose more sales.

[larrylam646]

I too lost Digital Key on my Samsung Note 10 (and on my key card) after updating to 07.2020.

I reactivated Digital Key on both by:

1) Deleting both Digital Keys from my vehicle using the iDrive
2) Reactivated Digital Key on my key card using the normal process.
3) Contacted my Genius to reactivate Digital Key on account and then activated Digital Key on my Note 10 using the Connected App.


I read somewhere that BMW is discontinuing this service by not allow users to renew their Digital Key subscription (for Android/Samsung devices) once it expires. Why would BMW take this position?

Larry

[clone1008]

Originally Posted by larrylam646

I too lost Digital Key on my Samsung Note 10 (and on my key card) after updating to 07.2020.

I reactivated Digital Key on both by:

1) Deleting both Digital Keys from my vehicle using the iDrive
2) Reactivated Digital Key on my key card using the normal process.
3) Contacted my Genius to reactivate Digital Key on account and then activated Digital Key on my Note 10 using the Connected App.


I read somewhere that BMW is discontinuing this service by not allow users to renew their Digital Key subscription (for Android/Samsung devices) once it expires. Why would BMW take this position?

Larry

Larry,

I have no idea why they are taking this position. I my case I have Digital Key subscription until 8/12/2021 and I can't even get my Galaxy S20 Ultra activated at all. The excuse I received is what I posted in my original statement in talking to a Genius rep. It seems like 2 things are against me...software 7.2020 and a newer Samsung phone. All other remote functions are working through the Connected App.

[del82]

Originally Posted by clone1008

[Correct, which is why I was told that as OTA updates start rolling out Samsung phones that had the digital key on them will no longer work. According to BMW 07.2020 will start rolling out OTA this fall in the US. In my case I bought a 330i 2 weeks ago with a build date of 2/20. I demanded the 07.2020 be installed before taking delivery to be able to have Android Auto which is more important than a digital key on my phone.

It really doesn't make sense why they would exclude Android.

I understand why we couldn't use iPhone as a digital key until now - the car required a hardware update to enable it to work hence why Android was preferred system from launch. But why stop it now doesn't make sense. Unless simply the hardware and software isn't compatible to have both. I.e they had to make a choice and as CarPlay is probably better than Android Auto I can see that.

I agree with your point that having AA is more useful than using your phone as a digital key. I don't trust not having my key with me and relying just on digital keys. Although it would've been a good as a backup/emergency.

[clone1008]

Originally Posted by del82

It really doesn't make sense why they would exclude Android.

I understand why we couldn't use iPhone as a digital key until now - the car required a hardware update to enable it to work hence why Android was preferred system from launch. But why stop it now doesn't make sense. Unless simply the hardware and software isn't compatible to have both. I.e they had to make a choice and as CarPlay is probably better than Android Auto I can see that.

I agree with your point that having AA is more useful than using your phone as a digital key. I don't trust not having my key with me and relying just on digital keys. Although it would've been a good as a backup/emergency.

Well you do still have the Digital Key Card as a backup.

[upsidedownfunnel]

The fact that they're removing the functionality might be related to a potential security issue. BMW should refund people for this option though.

[SteveinArizona]

I just wish BMW would care less about these bells and whistles and more about car functionality and appearance (no more ugly large grills). Invest in steering feel, good suspension, etc. before worrying about digital keys,

[del82]

Originally Posted by clone1008

Well you do still have the Digital Key Card as a backup.

Ya but it is very very unreliable to either open or close. Sits in my wallet now and never comes out.

[sd_dracula]

That would really P me off if they are removing it, using my S10+ as a key whenever I go to the gym and don't take the keys with me.
I was in the dealer 2 weeks ago and they did a software update but they only went to 03/2020 so it still works. The card is lame

[RSnic]

Geez, one of the features that I have really grown to like is using Samsung S8 as a digital key; it's very convenient when my car is in the garage & either I want to get something out of it or am working on it.

It figures!

[xlover]

Digital Key 2.0 (and next year 3.0) isn't an Apple exclusive feature, it will likely be coming to android phones built to support. (In fact Apple choose to skip 1.0 leaving that feature android exclusive)

There is a consortium of companies working together so there can be a standard that works across devices and vehicle brands. (Think about wifi: any brand laptop works with any WiFi router)

Lots of info here:
https://carconnectivity.org

[themnmd]

Originally Posted by clone1008

Just an update that is not good news. I was speaking with a very knowledgeable Genius rep and he shared with me that BMW has quietly discontinued Digital Key on Samung phones with no plans at the moment of pursuing it. Those phones that it is still working on will gradually stop working as OTA updates are pushed out.

Makes zero sense since they pushing out android auto