[mrjoed2]

Originally Posted by StanTheManBG

No offense to anybody but I think this feature makes absolutely no sense. If you already have comfort access then all you need is to have your keyfob in your pocket. Otherwise you have to take out your phone every freaking time, unlock it, place it next to the handle. Sounds more cumbersome.

Moreover, what are you going to do if you drain the battery on your phone and don't have a charger/power bank. You're pretty screwed aren't ya?

It does make sense. It is not primarily intended to replace the key fob. It's a convenient 2nd way & backup to enter & start vehicle. Who doesn't have their phone with them most of the time. And other brands are going this route also. (Lincoln, Telsa, ect)

The key card is great as well, but this is a nice alternative.

And to confirm it works even if phone is shut off, needs no power - NFC.

[VTENGR]

I always take my phone out of my pocket anyway - about 75% it falls out of my pocket if I don't - so my habit is to take the phone out and place it on the charging mat. This feature will allow me to ditch the FOB and have one less thing to carry in my pockets. I like it!

[R10]

Originally Posted by R10

I just got a reply from BMW USA about the availability of Apple CarKey on the X6 :

And here is BMW UK reply:

The digital key for smart phones can be purchased via the online BMW connected drive store. In order to purchase these you will need to ensure the car is fitted with comfort access with smart opener (322).
This option is included in the comfort package or the comfort plus package

.


And when I asked about the production month they said:

The digital key feature is available for models built from August 2020. Please ensure the model you are interested in is built around this period.

[SmartSaves]

Have anyone experienced the Apple CarKey yet with 2021 models? How is it in real world use?

[lexieke]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

Have anyone experienced the Apple CarKey yet with 2021 models? How is it in real world use?

Waiting for the same thing, even more for the Apple Watch experiences since I didn’t find any videos on how to start the car with a watch. They can’t expect you to take if off and put it in the charger. First cars with the feature should be arriving soon.

[SmartSaves]

Originally Posted by lexieke

Waiting for the same thing, even more for the Apple Watch experiences since I didn’t find any videos on how to start the car with a watch. They can’t expect you to take if off and put it in the charger. First cars with the feature should be arriving soon.

Bad news on Apple Watch Car can be locked and unlocked, but watch needs to be placed on the NFC tray to start the vehicle. BMW needs to add another NFC point for Apple Watch near the driver seat with a cleaver solution for left and right hand side drive car. I found the German review (link below) and this is what I read using Google Translate:

"The BMW Digital Key and Apple's implementation under iOS and watchOS for the wallet app correspond to specification 2.0 of the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) and therefore follow established industry standards instead of using their own. With this specification, NFC with almost direct contact with the vehicle is required to establish a connection to the car, be it on the driver's door or to start the engine in the smartphone compartment. Users of an Apple Watch can still lock and unlock the vehicle comparatively easily via NFC by holding their watch on the door handle of the driver's door, but to start the engine the watch has to be stored in the smartphone holder like the smartphone. Therefore, the use of an Apple Watch for the digital key is currently not advisable, as the smartwatch has to be removed each time the engine is started and then put on again later."

Still, there are many other benefits of Apple CarKey that will be handy. I am looking forward to using it.

Review and video is here in German:

https://www.computerbase.de/2020-08/...y-iphone-test/

[SmartSaves]

Some more context below:

Current specification is Digital Key 2.0 developed by Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC).

The next generation of Digital Key, the Release 3.0 specification, is under development. It will leverage Bluetooth Low Energy and Ultra Wideband wireless connectivity together to achieve precise positioning of smartphone. It'll support passive, location-aware keyless access, providing vehicle owners with more convenience and new features.

With Release 3.0, the need to take the smartphone out of your pocket and hold it to the vehicle will no longer be necessary. The current generation iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro (Max) are already equipped with the specially developed U1 chip. BMW has announced that the next generation of the Digital Key will be developed with ultra broadband technology (UWB).

2021 X5 is currently using CCC 2.0 standards. The questions are:

• Will BMW add CCC digital Key 3.0 support to the existing vehicles that had 2.0 version installed?
• Would current hardwire support CCC 3.0?
• Would 3.0 standard be backward compatible?
• Will 3.0 be ready for iX/iNext or 2022 X5?

[m3_08]

and it's not available for USA models! quite disappointed not to have a toy....

[SmartSaves]

Originally Posted by m3_08

and it's not available for USA models! quite disappointed not to have a toy....

Seriously? Could you please elaborate on your source or findings? I'll be quite pissed if this the case!

[m3_08]

Went through custom 45e order yesterday. digital key. cooled cups and soft close doors not available.

[SmartSaves]

Originally Posted by m3_08

Went through custom 45e order yesterday. digital key. cooled cups and soft close doors not available.

What an irony! Apple is an American company and their tech isn't available on their home turfs.

[tjaffee]

Is there any coding to unlock the Digital Key on an 2019 X5?

[SmartSaves]

Originally Posted by tjaffee

Is there any coding to unlock the Digital Key on an 2019 X5?

I believe it needs new hardware. BMW announcement was very specific on which build it'll be available (late 2020).

I think it'll finally allow us to be truly without physical keys (one less thing to carry around), although the current physical key-fob have some cool features that will be hard to replicate.

[ifr]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

I believe it needs new hardware. BMW announcement was very specific on which build it'll be available (late 2020).

I think it'll finally allow us to be truly without physical keys (one less thing to carry around), although the current physical key-fob have some cool features that will be hard to replicate.

Have you read my OP?

The reasons why this is not being made available are stated, and it's not hardware AFAIA. BMW have stated that they are considering retrofit to earlier models which wouldn't be a consideration if there was a hard block.

Yes, it can be coded at the car. BMW have made a retrofit coding bundle available for pre MY21, so it can be done using esys only with no FDL coding. They won't make available until the Samsung incompatibility issue is addressed one way or another.

To enable Smart Access 1.5 at the car add SMAC to FA (HO-WORT), calculate FP and check the 'Aftermarket fitment' section.
It should list SMAC_Activation_Smart_Access_1.5'.
Then VO code HU_MGU and BDC 7083.

It won't work unless you have DK1.5 on your Apple device, but is backwards compatible with the BMW NFC card, and you will be able to see the new menu etc.

[VTENGR]

Originally Posted by ifr

Have you read my OP?

The reasons why this is not being made available are stated, and it's not hardware AFAIA. BMW have stated that they are considering retrofit to earlier models which wouldn't be a consideration if there was a hard block.

Yes, it can be coded at the car. BMW have made a retrofit coding bundle available for pre MY21, so it can be done using esys only with no FDL coding. They won't make available until the Samsung incompatibility issue is addressed one way or another.

To enable Smart Access 1.5 at the car add SMAC to FA (HO-WORT), calculate FP and check the 'Aftermarket fitment' section.
It should list SMAC_Activation_Smart_Access_1.5'.
Then VO code HU_MGU and BDC 7083.

It won't work unless you have DK1.5 on your Apple device, but is backwards compatible with the BMW NFC card, and you will be able to see the new menu etc.

I just tooled around with this and when I add SMAC to HO-WORT and calculate FP I get "[4865] SMAC_8_4865" in the Aftermarket_Fitment section. Granted I'm running 11/2019.70 and using Esys.

[ifr]

Originally Posted by VTENGR

I just tooled around with this and when I add SMAC to HO-WORT and calculate FP I get "[4865] SMAC_8_4865" in the Aftermarket_Fitment section. Granted I'm running 11/2019.70 and using Esys.

You'll need 07/2020.x or later, but 4865 is the correct code to activate the necessary coding in the 2 ECU's.

[Noneya]

Will this be coming to Android?

[mrjoed2]

Yes I want to know what the plans are for Android as well. I have it working perfectly on my 2020 M50i with a Galaxy S10+ Hate to see it screwed around with.

[SmartSaves]

Today Apple announced Watch version 6. The changes are exciting. Sharing it from 9to5mac.com:

"Apple Watch 6 includes the U1 chip and Ultra Wideband antennas for features such as CarKeys. The U1 chip uses positioning tech known as an Ultra Wideband (UWB) radio that provides precise location and spatial awareness, so a U1-equipped device can detect its exact position relative to other devices in the same room. The new Car keys feature will also benefit from the new U1 chip found on iPhone 11 and now in Apple Watch Series 6. With Car Key, drivers can replace physical keys with their iPhone or Apple Watch using NFC. However, thanks to the U1 chip, you won't even have to take your iPhone out of your pocket or raise your wrist to unlock the doors or start the car."


Ball is in your court now BMW. Apple delivered what was needed.

[ifr]

Originally Posted by SmartSaves

Today Apple announced Watch version 6. The changes are exciting. Sharing it from 9to5mac.com:

"Apple Watch 6 includes the U1 chip and Ultra Wideband antennas for features such as CarKeys. The U1 chip uses positioning tech known as an Ultra Wideband (UWB) radio that provides precise location and spatial awareness, so a U1-equipped device can detect its exact position relative to other devices in the same room. The new Car keys feature will also benefit from the new U1 chip found on iPhone 11 and now in Apple Watch Series 6. With Car Key, drivers can replace physical keys with their iPhone or Apple Watch using NFC. However, thanks to the U1 chip, you won't even have to take your iPhone out of your pocket or raise your wrist to unlock the doors or start the car."


Ball is in your court now BMW. Apple delivered what was needed.

Good news!

Coding is there for SmartAccess 2.0. Whether or not the latest i-step code supports it yet is a different matter.

Shows intent at least on BMW's part.

[Skeewiff03]

Originally Posted by mrjoed2

Yes I want to know what the plans are for Android as well. I have it working perfectly on my 2020 M50i with a Galaxy S10+ Hate to see it screwed around with.

Note 20 has an UWB chip, therefore I am guessing with an the update to Digital Key 2.0 both Apple and Android should be supported.

I just have no clue why S20 was skipped from working on protocol 1.0

[Sergeant Skinner]

Originally Posted by ifr

To enable Smart Access 1.5 at the car add SMAC to FA (HO-WORT), calculate FP and check the 'Aftermarket fitment' section.
It should list SMAC_Activation_Smart_Access_1.5'.
Then VO code HU_MGU and BDC 7083.

It won't work unless you have DK1.5 on your Apple device, but is backwards compatible with the BMW NFC card, and you will be able to see the new menu etc.

Wait. So provided I have the right iStep, and one configures those settings, and has an iPhone 11 Pro etc with iOS 13.7 or 14, then I could add DK to my iPhone for my Jan build that currently supports DK 1.0???

I thought there was some BMW server side changes needed to get this working?