Credit: BMWBMW launched the Digital Key Plus app on the iPhone in January 2021. This allows you to lock, unlock and even start certain models of German brand vehicles without having to remove your smartphone (or your connected watch, which is an electronic key). Compatible with Apple Watch). At the time, some observers were upset that this very practical application was not compatible with Android, the world’s most widely used operating system. It was time for BMW to consider this category of users.
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The reason for this limitation was mainly the use of the U1 chip introduced with the iPhone 11 and Apple Watch Series 6, which uses Ultra Wideband technology for spatial recognition functions. BMW says: “This technology allows very precise localization with maximum safety. Its accuracy is also risk of relay attackdisappears almost completely when the radio signal is intercepted or intercepted”.
The most prestigious Android smartphones can use the BMW Digital Key Plus app
latest version Digital Key Plus app is finally available on Android. However, it will only be able to make full use of it on certain mobile phones, as the functionality is only accessible on the latest smartphones from Samsung and Google running Android 13. Below is the list of compatible devices:
- Galaxy S23+
- galaxy s23 ultra
- Galaxy S22+
- galaxy s22 ultra
- Galaxy S21+
- galaxy s21 ultra
- Galaxy Z Fold 4
- Galaxy Z Fold 3
- Note 20 Ultra
- Google Pixel 7 Pro
- Google Pixel 6 Pro
Also, not all vehicles of the Munich brand accept the Digital Key Plus. According to the manufacturer, currently only cars produced since November 2022 can benefit from the application. According to company representatives, “a Future remote software update will expand this capability To vehicles manufactured before November 2022”.
Source : BMW
