[MikeElmendorf]

Hi -

New iPhone arriving tomorrow. Has anyone else who is using Digital Key Plus upgraded their phone? And, if so, what did you have to do with the key?

I presume it will not carry over in Apple Wallet like credit cards and other passes (although that would be very nice). Do I have to remove it from the car and app before switching over and start from scratch on the new phone?

Thanks.

[rgw]

I work for a university that was an early adopter of digital IDs for faculty, staff, and students. I bet the provisioning for digital keys is similar to IDs. I had to reprovision the ID onto my new phone even after restore from backup. There is some sort of handshake between the authentication authority and the device required for it to function on your new iPhone 16 [Pro].

I think wiping the phone altogether should suffice for removing access from your old iPhone. You may want to check the manual or app to see if their is a deprovisioning option though.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by rgw

I work for a university that was an early adopter of digital IDs for faculty, staff, and students. I bet the provisioning for digital keys is similar to IDs. I had to reprovision the ID onto my new phone even after restore from backup. There is some sort of handshake between the authentication authority and the device required for it to function on your new iPhone 16 [Pro].

I think wiping the phone altogether should suffice for removing access from your old iPhone. You may want to check the manual or app to see if their is a deprovisioning option though.

In in the manual on page 89 it says :

Changing smartphones: To use a new smartphone as a master Digital Key, activate the new smartphone according to the instructions for the master Digital Key. The previous master key is deleted when the new smartphone is activated.

You have to have both Key Fobs in the vehicle to do this.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by MikeElmendorf

Hi -

New iPhone arriving tomorrow. Has anyone else who is using Digital Key Plus upgraded their phone? And, if so, what did you have to do with the key?

I presume it will not carry over in Apple Wallet like credit cards and other passes (although that would be very nice). Do I have to remove it from the car and app before switching over and start from scratch on the new phone?

Thanks.

Changing smartphones: To use a new smartphone as a master Digital Key, activate the new smartphone according to the instructions for the master Digital Key. The previous master key is deleted when the new smartphone is activated.

Enabling the main digital key: Vehicle owner's smartphone is enabled as a main digital key in the vehicle. The vehicle owner must prove his authorization for the vehicle for this purpose. You can begin the authorization process using the My BMW app or using your activation code in the corresponding smartphone function, e.g., the Wallet app. Both vehicle keys must be in the vehicle during activation. Follow the activation instructions in the Digital Key menu in the app or on the control display.

[AiredaleDad]

I looked this up because I am getting a new Samsung S24+ when I go to the states next month. So not sure if I will be taking possession of my car before I go or after I get back.

[SkykingUSA]

Has anyone got their digital key on their non-Apple watch? I just got a new Pixel Watch 3 and it has UWB and I see an option to add my digital key from my Google Wallet to my watch. I tried it and it bugs out the whole app on the phone until I close the app or reboot the phone. Just wondering if anyone has successfully added their key to their non-Apple watch.

[DroMike]

As an i7 owner upgrading from an iPhone 11 ("Old" phone) to an iPhone 16 Plus ("New" phone), I posted a similar inquiry in my Series 7 forum yesterday. Since last year, there's been conflicting information; even one owner insisted on NOT using the "Replace Digital Key" available in iDrive as it "went nowhere." I absolutely wouldn't trust the native supplanting of one phone for the other via iDrive's "replace" mechanism, at least I've yet to see a post where somebody successfully did this. I don't feel they, uh, play nice with each other.

The only tried and true path to certain success and cleanest way to go about it would be to remove the old digital key plus entirely and begin again with your new phone as if you've just taken possession of your vehicle and are setting things up for the very first time. What I am personally going to do and recommend then, is this:

1. Bring your old phone, and all physical keys (two traditional, one card if you have it) into your car. In either or both iDrive and the MyBMW app, DELETE the old phone from iDrive and via the app (one may take care of the other);

2. Delete the MyBMW app itself from your old phone, and, if still in your Wallet, any digital key (it will probably now be gone through step 1);

3. Go inside your house and activate your new phone by performing the digital transfer of all your apps and data (i.e., fully activate your new phone as if you didn't even own a car).

4. Download the MyBMW app afresh to your new phone (remember, you deleted it from your old phone so it wouldn't have transferred to your new phone); then, finally, leaving your OLD phone in the house,

5. Bring your new phone, and all physical keys (2 traditional, 1 card if you have it) into your car.

6. Open and sign into the MyBMW app and select "Setup New Digital Key Plus" (or similar wording) and follow the instructions from there.

That's at least what I plan on doing. If somebody else sees any pitfalls or ordering errors in the above or has any constructive criticism, PLEASE let me/us know. Otherwise, I hope this helps. - Mike

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by DroMike

As an i7 owner upgrading from an iPhone 11 ("Old" phone) to an iPhone 16 Plus ("New" phone), I posted a similar inquiry in my Series 7 forum yesterday. Since last year, there's been conflicting information; even one owner insisted on NOT using the "Replace Digital Key" available in iDrive as it "went nowhere." I absolutely wouldn't trust the native supplanting of one phone for the other via iDrive's "replace" mechanism, at least I've yet to see a post where somebody successfully did this. I don't feel they, uh, play nice with each other.

The only tried and true path to certain success and cleanest way to go about it would be to remove the old digital key plus entirely and begin again with your new phone as if you've just taken possession of your vehicle and are setting things up for the very first time. What I am personally going to do and recommend then, is this:

1. Bring your old phone, and all physical keys (two traditional, one card if you have it) into your car. In either or both iDrive and the MyBMW app, DELETE the old phone from iDrive and via the app (one may take care of the other);

2. Delete the MyBMW app itself from your old phone, and, if still in your Wallet, any digital key (it will probably now be gone through step 1);

3. Go inside your house and activate your new phone by performing the digital transfer of all your apps and data (i.e., fully activate your new phone as if you didn't even own a car).

4. Download the MyBMW app afresh to your new phone (remember, you deleted it from your old phone so it wouldn't have transferred to your new phone); then, finally, leaving your OLD phone in the house,

5. Bring your new phone, and all physical keys (2 traditional, 1 card if you have it) into your car.

6. Open and sign into the MyBMW app and select "Setup New Digital Key Plus" (or similar wording) and follow the instructions from there.

That's at least what I plan on doing. If somebody else sees any pitfalls or ordering errors in the above or has any constructive criticism, PLEASE let me/us know. Otherwise, I hope this helps. - Mike

That sounds like the best way to do it. It's like when you want to upgrade your PC from Windows 10 to Windows 11 - should you perform and "upgrade", or should you perform a clean install of Windows 11? The safest and cleanest way is usually to perform a clean install. Thanks for the steps.

[MikeElmendorf]

Well, turns out this was VERY easy. Just went to the car with new phone and both keys and in the key settings selected replace main key or replace smart phone (can’t remember). Took about one minute to do using the MyBMW app and then added it right to the new watch, too.

[DroMike]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

That sounds like the best way to do it. It's like when you want to upgrade your PC from Windows 10 to Windows 11 - should you perform and "upgrade", or should you perform a clean install of Windows 11? The safest and cleanest way is usually to perform a clean install. Thanks for the steps.

Of course I haven't tried that out myself, but I'm sure it will work perfectly.

Originally Posted by MikeElmendorf

Well, turns out this was VERY easy. Just went to the car with new phone and both keys and in the key settings selected replace main key or replace smart phone (can’t remember). Took about one minute to do using the MyBMW app...

Happily it appears I was wrong about NOT using the "replace" feature. In fairness to me however, this is the first time I've personally read about somebody stating it has actually worked. Obviously this is much simpler than my version; and even if it were to fail, I'd simply delete everything and start afresh as I mention in my post. So I'll try your way first to save time and cross my fingers! :-)

[Scrapula]

I have done this many times when testing the MyBMW app. For each test, I have to remove my car from the app. For whatever reason, this always messes up my digital key. I remove it from my wallet. Go into the car, create the new key. It gives you a QR code that you scan, which then downloads all your car settings and creates a new key. It only takes a few minutes.

[MrDit]

Updated to an iPhone 16 pro this morning and set it up as the digital key in the car. No issues and all working well. Will let everyone know if anything strange occurs.

[DroMike]

Originally Posted by MrDit

Updated to an iPhone 16 pro this morning and set it up as the digital key in the car. No issues and all working well. Will let everyone know if anything strange occurs.

When you "set it up as a digital key,":

1. was this your first digital key in the car; or if not did you

2. use the "Replace" [your previous phone/] digital key function in iDrive, or erase everything and start over afresh as if this were your very first digital key?

[MrDit]

Originally Posted by DroMike

When you "set it up as a digital key,":

1. was this your first digital key in the car; or if not did you

2. use the "Replace" [your previous phone/] digital key function in iDrive, or erase everything and start over afresh as if this were your very first digital key?

I had a previous phone that was set up as the digital key. I used the "replace key" feature from the iDrive menu.

You need to have both key fobs in the car.

[DroMike]

Originally Posted by MrDit

I had a previous phone that was set up as the digital key. I used the "replace key" feature from the iDrive menu.

PERFECT (a SECOND corroboration from different forums that "Replace" now works) -- thank you!

[ntailor]

iPhone 16 Pro - the Key was deleted when transferring data from my old phone. I went to the car with both keys, opened BMW app and clicked set up digital key. It only took a few mins total including walking to the garage. One interesting note, received an email from BMW after setting up digital key stating if you just got a new phone click from this email to transfer key to new device. If I only had that email prior...

[DroMike]

Originally Posted by ntailor

iPhone 16 Pro - the Key was deleted when transferring data from my old phone. I went to the car with both keys, opened BMW app and clicked set up digital key. It only took a few mins total including walking to the garage. One interesting note, received an email from BMW after setting up digital key stating if you just got a new phone click from this email to transfer key to new device. If I only had that email prior...

May I ask what precipitated that email from BMW? Was it (1) an absolute coincidence, or (2) because BMW picked up on your deletion of your original digital key during your old-to-new phone data transfer and transmitted that email to you automatically? If the latter, did you get the email a day, or merely hours later?

IF the latter (which I'd suspect), I'm gathering you're saying that if you would've waited that day or hours longer after performing your old-to-new phone data transfer (where you would've SEEN that email), your in-car digital key transfer would've gone more smoothly. Correct? Obviously I'd like to benefit from your experience when I get my new phone (lemme check tracking..) Oct 1-3...

[MrDit]

I received an email shortly after activating my new phone. It said:


BMW DIGITAL KEY PLUS.

Dear M......,

The digital main key has been successfully activated on your smartphone for your vehicle i5 M60 xDrive with the VIN.

You can now share and manage additional digital keys for your vehicle directly on this smartphone.

If you want to switch your main key to a new compatible smartphone, enter your BMW with both vehicle keys and your smartphone with this e-mail. Select one of the following options and follow the instructions. Options were just choosing either Apple or Android.

[DroMike]

Great -- thank you for your info.

[ntailor]

Originally Posted by DroMike

May I ask what precipitated that email from BMW? Was it (1) an absolute coincidence, or (2) because BMW picked up on your deletion of your original digital key during your old-to-new phone data transfer and transmitted that email to you automatically? If the latter, did you get the email a day, or merely hours later?

IF the latter (which I'd suspect), I'm gathering you're saying that if you would've waited that day or hours longer after performing your old-to-new phone data transfer (where you would've SEEN that email), your in-car digital key transfer would've gone more smoothly. Correct? Obviously I'd like to benefit from your experience when I get my new phone (lemme check tracking..) Oct 1-3...

I believe it to be the latter. I set up my wife's new phone and had her log into the BMW app. I didn't get around to setting her digital key until 2hrs later. The key for X7 wound up transferring when I went to the car to set up. The option came up on Idrive. It seems logging into the app on the new phone triggers it. Hope that helps!

[DroMike]

Great - thank you for this clarifying information.

[RichardInCA]

This is a really useful thread - keeping mental notes for my next upgrade.