BMW, one of the world’s leading luxury car manufacturers, has now extended its digital key feature to Android-based smartphone users. This exciting feature, called BMW Digital Key Plus, replaces the traditional car remote and allows Android phone users to unlock and lock their car and even start the engine without taking their phone out of their pocket.
Collaboration with Google and Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC)
To make this happen, BMW has been working closely with Google to develop specifications for the BMW Digital Key Plus feature that can serve as global standards for the automotive industry. This collaboration is taking place through the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC), the global organization that works to develop vehicle-to-smartphone connectivity.
Compatibility and Requirements
To use the BMW Digital Key Plus feature, your Android smartphone must be running on Android 13.1 or later versions. Additionally, your smartphone must be compatible with the feature.
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Some examples of compatible Android smartphones include the Galaxy S23+, S23 Ultra, S22+, S22 Ultra, S21+, S21 Ultra, Z Fold4, Z Fold3, Note20 Ultra, Google Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 6 Pro, and others.
It’s also essential to note that this feature will only work on vehicles manufactured after November 2022. However, BMW is planning a remote software update in the future that will enable Digital Key Plus compatibility for cars manufactured before November 2022.
Cross-Platform Sharing
In addition to providing digital car access to Android users, BMW is planning to take its digital key feature to the next level. By December 2022, BMW will collaborate with partners such as Apple and Google to expand its digital keys’ secure and cross-platform sharing capabilities. This means that iPhone and compatible Android devices can share access to digital keys via email, SMS, or other secure platforms.