Leave your car key at home. Your smartphone or smartwatch will do the job. The BMW Digital Key makes access to your vehicle convenient, intuitive and smart.¹
Due to regular software updates, showed screen designs in the communication may differ from the actual screen design in your car.
Use your mobile devices to unlock and start your BMW and simply share it with others by text message. Driving is now even more convenient, flexible and digital, thanks to the BMW Digital Key.¹
Simply hold the Setup Card to your smartphone. It will guide you through the various steps. Create a profile, approve it with the card, and set up the BMW Digital Key. Finally, use your physical key just once to enter your BMW, and finish the setup process there.
As soon as you approach your BMW with the BMW Digital Key Plus, it recognises the digital key and unlocks the doors. You can also simply leave your smartphone in your pocket when you start the car. When you walk away, your BMW locks itself.
Up to 18 keys can be set up for a vehicle, depending on the model and device.² Simply share them with your friends by text message. Does the recipient use a smartphone from a different provider or with a different operating system? No problem. You can share the digital key regardless of the platform.
More secure, more convenient. The BMW Digital Key lets you open your BMW entirely without a physical key. You also benefit from numerous other features. It's as easy as one, two, key!¹
1. Check compatibility.
Make sure that your BMW model and your mobile devices meet the requirements to use the functions of the BMW Digital Key.
2. Start with the Setup Card.
Hold the Setup Card to your smartphone or scan the QR code on the back. Download the My BMW App and create your BMW ID.
3. Approve it with the Setup Card.
During set-up, hold the Setup Card to your smartphone once more and follow the instructions to begin pairing it with your BMW.
4. Activation in the vehicle.
When you first get into your BMW with your physical key, activate the digital key in your smartphone's wallet.
Your BMW reacts when you approach it and can be controlled as you wish – with the My BMW App and in the wallet, on your smartphone or smartwatch.
Your BMW welcomes you as soon as you approach the vehicle. This function switches on the lights, starts a welcome animation and unlocks the doors. Inside, your personal BMW ID profile settings are already loaded. When you park your BMW at a charging post, the intelligent charging flap opens automatically as soon as you approach your vehicle with a smartphone or smartwatch.³
Personalise the BMW Digital Key for each user. Rights and roles can be flexibly adapted depending on the model and device. For instance, you can grant full admin rights so that the recipient can also share your digital key.² You can also share a key with reduced acceleration and restricted maximum speed with a learner driver.
Using the BMW Digital Key Plus and Remote Control Parking, you can steer your BMW in and out of narrow parking spaces when you're nearby. What's more, you can open and close the luggage compartment in the My BMW App. And you can even use your voice to control the most important features in the wall
Whether your BMW is in the workshop for a service, you're using valet parking or you unexpectedly break down, the Service Card is your additional key for these situations. Always keep the deactivated card with you in your BMW. If you need it, place the Service Card on the smartphone tray. After a quick confirmation, it's active, even without an internet connection.
What do I need to use the BMW Digital Key?
The BMW Digital Key Plus will be available in many new models from production date July 2021, the BMW Digital Key in other models from July 2020.
You can find out which BMW models, countries and mobile devices support the BMW Digital Key on the corresponding FAQ pages:
Model availability
Availability by country
Compatible smartphones and smartwatches
Information on availability in your BMW can also be found in the My BMW app. In some countries and/or regions, the radio technology for the BMW Digital Key Plus (ultra-wideband, UWB) is not permitted. Due to legal requirements, functionality may be restricted there. In these cases, Near-Field Communication (NFC) guarantees access to the vehicle. To do this, hold the mobile device to the outside door handle.
How secure is the BMW Digital Key?
Your digital key is securely stored on the secure element of your smartphone or smartwatch. In addition, both NFC and UWB technology are used to establish the immediate proximity of the sender and receiver in a tamper-proof manner.
What happens when my smartphone needs to be charged?
You can unlock and start your vehicle even if your smartphone or smartwatch needs to be charged. With the right settings, you can continue to use it as a key for several hours after it has switched off. To do this, hold the mobile device to the outside door handle and follow the instructions on the display.
What happens if I don't have an internet connection?
An internet connection is only required to set up the BMW Digital Key. As soon as the key is installed on your device, a connection is no longer required for locking and unlocking or starting the engine. This means you can use the digital key completely independently of the Internet, for example in underground car parks or areas with poor network coverage.
What is the Setup Card and what do I use it for?
As a vehicle owner, you can use the Setup Card to conveniently set up the BMW Digital Key on your smartphone without any prior requirements. Simply hold the card to your device or scan the QR code on the back and follow the instructions.
The Setup Card is the new and fastest way to set up the BMW Digital Key and will be supplied with many BMW models since March 2025. Please note that the Setup Card must be stored in a safe place outside the vehicle once the BMW Digital Key has been set up. The card is not required for sharing a digital key.
Set-up is somewhat different if you have taken delivery of your BMW without a Setup Card and instead with two traditional vehicle keys. First, connect your BMW using your BMW ID and the My BMW App. Then start set-up in the app under “vehicle configuration”. Both keys need to be located in your BMW to complete the process. You do not need the vehicle key to share digital keys with other people.
What is the Service Card and what can I use it for?
The Service Card comes deactivated with your vehicle and can be activated and used as a fully-fledged key if required. Simply place the card on the smartphone tray and follow the instructions.
Use the Service Card in all cases where a physical key needs to be handed over, e.g. for scheduled service appointments, valet parking or breakdowns. The card should therefore always be in your BMW when deactivated. When it is activated, however, it must not remain in the vehicle for security reasons.
The Service Card offers similar functionality to the familiar Key Card and will be supplied with many BMW models from March 2025.
Do I still get a physical key?
Yes, you will always receive a physical key, even if your vehicle is equipped with the BMW Digital Key including Setup Card and Service Card. It offers you the full range of functions according to your model equipment and serves as a practical spare key when using the BMW Digital Key as a master key.
Ynjoy an intuitive In-Car Experience with the BMW Operating System, displays and operating elements, plus powerful data processing.
Would you like to book, for example, Driving Assistant Plus for your BMW after your initial purchase? You can order additional functions conveniently online via the BMW ConnectedDrive Store, and they will then be available immediately.
Would you like to learn more about other BMW ConnectedDrive products and services? You can go back to the home page here.
Legal notice.
Due to regular software updates, showed screen designs in the communication may differ from the actual screen design in your car.
¹ All functions shown on this page are only fully available with the BMW Digital Key Plus. The BMW Digital Key enables functions that are not based on automatic recognition of the mobile device when it is approached. The new setup process via the Setup Card will be available in many BMW models from July 2025. Depending on the model, automatic loading of the profile in the vehicle after setting up the digital key may not be available until November 2025. Sharing digital keys is possible in all variants, but the extended functions are initially only available for iOS devices.
² iOS 18.4 and a supported vehicle are the technical prerequisites for this. Use with Android will follow at a later date.
³ The intelligent charging flap is available from BMW Operating System X onwards.