Unlock the Convenience of Using Your Phone as a Key with BMW iDrive 8
BMW's iDrive 8 offers the convenience of using your phone as a key. You can have multiple digital keys setup, for example your iPhone and your partner's one. They need to be linked to your profile/BMW ID in iDrive. If you are an Apple Watch user, you can also put a digital key on your watch and have each watch and phone associated with the correct profile. This is great for driving without physical keys every day. Additionally, if you need a key to hand over to valet or for vehicle service, keep the digital card (unactivated of course) in your glove compartment.
Activating the digital key card is easy - simply use your phone or watch near the valet/service person. When you are done, deactivate the digital key card and put it back in your glove compartment. Setting up the Primary Digital Key on an iPhone will offer to also set the key up on your Apple Watch. Inviting a secondary user will add their secondary key to their Apple Watch automatically. Managing BMW IDs in the car allows you to link both devices (your watch and phone) to your BMW ID. This makes it easy to have multiple users with their own digital keys on both phones and watches.
The digital key also offers the ability to share your car with family or friends. You can easily add a guest user to your BMW ID and give them access to the car for a certain period of time. The guest user will be able to use their own phone as a key, but only when you have given them permission. This is great if you want to lend your car to someone for a few days, or if you are going on vacation and need someone else to take care of your car while you're away.
The digital key feature is not just limited to BMWs. Many other manufacturers offer similar features, such as Audi's Virtual Key, Mercedes-Benz's Digital Key Plus, and Volvo's On Call app. All of these systems allow you to use your phone as a key, manage multiple users, and share access with guests.
Using your phone as a key is convenient and secure. It eliminates the need for physical keys, which can be lost or stolen. It also allows you to easily manage multiple users and guests without having to worry about handing out physical keys. With this technology, you can rest assured that your car is safe and secure at all times.
Anytime I use my phone as a key should I not automatically be logged in as the user driving the car?
Yes you should, but you need to associate them in iDrive 8.
Can I have the digital key on both my phone and watch?
Yes, when you set up the Primary Digital Key on an iPhone, it offers to also set the key up on your Apple Watch. When you invite a secondary user, after they accept on their iPhone, it offers to add (or adds automatically) the secondary key to their Apple Watch too. When you manage BMW IDs in the car, you can "link to a key" and it shows both your iPhone and watch. Put a check mark on both boxes and now those devices are linked to your BMW ID. Repeat this for any secondary users.
How do I hand over a key for valet or vehicle service?
Keep the digital card (unactivated of course) in your glove compartment. If you need to hand a key over for valet etc., just activate the digital key card using your phone or watch (you can do this spontaneously near the valet/service — you don't need a physical key to activate the digital key card if you have the phone or watch with you), and hand it to the valet / service person. When you are done, simply deactivate the digital key card and put it back in your glove compartment.
Can I give a guest access to my car?
Yes, you can invite a guest to use your car. You can do this in the BMW Connected app. Go to the ‘My Vehicle’ tab and select ‘Manage Users’. Here you can add a new user and assign them either a Primary or Secondary Digital Key. The guest will receive an invitation via email or text message and they will be able to accept it and download the BMW Connected app. Once they have accepted the invitation, they will be able to use their phone as a key to unlock and start your car.