[fueledbycaffeine]

Hey folks. Let me first apologize if this has been discussed because search does not work at all in the app.

I’m just curious if people have had success with just using their digital key (digital key plus) from their phone/watch on their X1/X2. If you’re using the digital key, do you even carry the key fob if you’re staying in your local area (or do you take the key card as backup)?

On our M340i, the system works but it’s a bit more annoying because you have to touch your phone to the door handle to unlock the door and then put your phone in the wireless charging tray to start the car (because it’s not digital key plus).

[schnell325]

I’m not risking being a hundred kilometres away from the physical key and my phone dies / gets lost / etc.

So I haven’t and won’t, try it out.

[fueledbycaffeine]

Originally Posted by schnell325

I’m not risking being a hundred kilometres away from the physical key and my phone dies / gets lost / etc.

So I haven’t and won’t, try it out.

I would definitely carry a key fob if I was going outside of my local area. I would generally not consider 60 miles/100 kilometers as being “local” for most people.

[schnell325]

Originally Posted by fueledbycaffeine

I would definitely carry a key fob if I was going outside of my local area. I would generally not consider 60 miles/100 kilometers as being “local” for most people.

Oh I absolutely agree.

[FZI89]

I have not carried my key fob for over a year. I use my phone and watch, and have the key card in my wallet as backup.

The key fob is chunky and the glossy plastic gets scratched far too easily.

[RG129]

I previously had a Tesla before my X1 so I got used to not carrying a key fob. I have my phone, watch and key card in my wallet so I'm hoping those 3 layers of protection will get me into my car and going.

I'm assuming that the key card should be just as reliable as a fob, you just have to place it on the sensors for it to work. Is there any way the key card could fail?

[fueledbycaffeine]

Originally Posted by RG129

I previously had a Tesla before my X1 so I got used to not carrying a key fob. I have my phone, watch and key card in my wallet so I'm hoping those 3 layers of protection will get me into my car and going.

I'm assuming that the key card should be just as reliable as a fob, you just have to place it on the sensors for it to work. Is there any way the key card could fail?

As far as I know, the only way the key card could fail is if the car’s battery is so beyond dead that you need to use the actual key blade to open the car door.

[KingSize.Hamster]

I don't carry the physical key fob around. I don't see the need to. I rely on the digital key inside my iPhone to do the job.

I live in a relatively small city though. I don't need to put the key into the charging tray either. It's so seamless, and it just works.

I only carry the key out when I know the car needs to get valet parking that day, which is extremely rare.

I prefer digital keys for everything, including home door lock. I just carry as little as possible in my pockets.

[LondonDubaiX1]

I mostly only use my digital key and have done since day 1.

You also have the BMW app to open the car if needed, I have the key on 2 phones(myself and my wife).

I have taken the physical key on long journeys and kept in my bag, you just have to be careful to then not leave it in the car as you may forget as you use the digital key.

[Gaffer_H]

Originally Posted by fueledbycaffeine

Hey folks. Let me first apologize if this has been discussed because search does not work at all in the app.

I’m just curious if people have had success with just using their digital key (digital key plus) from their phone/watch on their X1/X2. If you’re using the digital key, do you even carry the key fob if you’re staying in your local area (or do you take the key card as backup)?

On our M340i, the system works but it’s a bit more annoying because you have to touch your phone to the door handle to unlock the door and then put your phone in the wireless charging tray to start the car (because it’s not digital key plus).

I never carry the fob with me anymore.

It’s set up to work on my iPhone.

Works seamlessly, walk up to the car.. unlocks, walk away and locks.

[megamit]

Excluding taking it for repair, i havent used my physical key since i got my iX1 18 months ago.
Early on, the digital key plus would bug out sometimes and i would have to toggle off then on the UWB setting on my pixel.
And even in those cases the normal nfc digital key has never failed once.
Now digital key plus works perfect and i dont have to think about it anymore.

[John27]

I'm too old and set in my ways to use the digital key although I can see the benefits and convenience of doing so. Using just the key card as opposed to the key fob seems OK but reliance on a mobile phone is, for me, more problematic.

I have two main concerns. The first would be if my phone were stolen while I was out as I'd be unable to access and use the car until I could retrieve the key fob which could be hours away (a key fob or key card could also be stolen of course, but would be less likely than a mobile which would be more visible to thieves)?

The other thing is if the car breaks down and is towed to a dealer, I can't leave them with my phone and so again, would need to retrieve the key fob from home.

I recently had a practical example of this where my X1 broke down on me and was taken to a dealer for repair by BMW Assistance. If I had used the digital key on my mobile phone, it would have taken just under an hour's round trip (by car) to get home and return (only about 7 miles each way but the traffic in London is murder) with the key fob. Probably not something that happens very often (hopefully) but a real pain if it does.

[Gaffer_H]

Originally Posted by John27

I'm too old and set in my ways to use the digital key although I can see the benefits and convenience of doing so. Using just the key card as opposed to the key fob seems OK but reliance on a mobile phone is, for me, more problematic.

I have two main concerns. The first would be if my phone were stolen while I was out as I'd be unable to access and use the car until I could retrieve the key fob which could be hours away (a key fob or key card could also be stolen of course, but would be less likely than a mobile which would be more visible to thieves)?

The other thing is if the car breaks down and is towed to a dealer, I can't leave them with my phone and so again, would need to retrieve the key fob from home.

I recently had a practical example of this where my X1 broke down on me and was taken to a dealer for repair by BMW Assistance. If I had used the digital key on my mobile phone, it would have taken just under an hour's round trip (by car) to get home and return (only about 7 miles each way but the traffic in London is murder) with the key fob. Probably not something that happens very often (hopefully) but a real pain if it does.

Good points well made, something to consider.

[Hartside]

I guess I’m just used to carrying the physical key. I didn’t even bother setting up digital key

[srbs73]

I didn't used to, as my i4 had the Digital Key which was a bit clunky. I've just moved to a Model Y so now used to not having a physical key and now just relying 100% on the DK+ for my wife's iX1.

[J-RO]

Originally Posted by Hartside

I guess I’m just used to carrying the physical key. I didn’t even bother setting up digital key

Im with you.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by fueledbycaffeine

Hey folks. Let me first apologize if this has been discussed because search does not work at all in the app.

I’m just curious if people have had success with just using their digital key (digital key plus) from their phone/watch on their X1/X2. If you’re using the digital key, do you even carry the key fob if you’re staying in your local area (or do you take the key card as backup)?

On our M340i, the system works but it’s a bit more annoying because you have to touch your phone to the door handle to unlock the door and then put your phone in the wireless charging tray to start the car (because it’s not digital key plus).

I don't use it. The dealer set it up for me when I first picked up the car. I park my car in my garage at my house, and I noticed that every time I walked into my garage, or even near the house door to the garage, with my phone in my pocket, it woke up the car. If I ever moved to an apartment building, I'd be much more likely to use it.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by schnell325

I’m not risking being a hundred kilometres away from the physical key and my phone dies / gets lost / etc.

So I haven’t and won’t, try it out.

I keep the card key in my wallet in case of emergency

[kenrok1]

Originally Posted by tex2670

I don't use it. The dealer set it up for me when I first picked up the car. I park my car in my garage at my house, and I noticed that every time I walked into my garage, or even near the house door to the garage, with my phone in my pocket, it woke up the car. If I ever moved to an apartment building, I'd be much more likely to use it.

Same behavior with the keyfob too if you keep in your pocket and have the "unlock when approaching" enabled.

I don't like that opt because I do & does that... so I turn that off. Wife likes for hers, so she keeps it on.

I havent setup the digital key yet. Thinking I may check it out but wasnt sure how it would behave if I valet the car or something... wondering if the car is smart enough to know if you have the fob with you that it takes priority?

[fueledbycaffeine]

Originally Posted by kenrok1

Same behavior with the keyfob too if you keep in your pocket and have the "unlock when approaching" enabled.

I don't like that opt because I do & does that... so I turn that off. Wife likes for hers, so she keeps it on.

I havent setup the digital key yet. Thinking I may check it out but wasnt sure how it would behave if I valet the car or something... wondering if the car is smart enough to know if you have the fob with you that it takes priority?

I would turn the unlock when approaching too. That would make me crazy. If I want to unlock as I approach, I can do that from the app on my phone or watch if I decide not to carry the fob. I don’t mind touching the door handle to lock or unlock the car. That’s what I done with my Forester for the last 8 years.

I thought I saw something in the manual about the order of priority of how things are recognized in the manual but that may have been the manual for the M340i. I really don’t remember. It’s probably worth pulling up the manual to check.

[kenrok1]

Originally Posted by fueledbycaffeine

It’s probably worth pulling up the manual to check.

good point - here's what I found...

If multiple vehicle keys or digital keys are located near the vehicle, BMW IDs are activated
according to the following priority:
▷ The key that unlocks the vehicle triggers
activation of the assigned BMW ID.
▷ If a vehicle key and digital key are detected
at the same time, the digital key triggers
activation of the assigned BMW ID.
▷ The BMW ID of the key last detected on the
driver’s door is activated.
If the BMW ID could not be detected when the
vehicle was unlocked, select the BMW ID on
the welcome window


...but its doesnt mention anything about leaving the vehicle ~ guess I'll have to try it out to know for certain

[abirmaher]

Originally Posted by FZI89

I have not carried my key fob for over a year. I use my phone and watch, and have the key card in my wallet as backup.

The key fob is chunky and the glossy plastic gets scratched far too easily.

Same here. No issues at all .