According to the latest reports, this week BMW announced the launch of two new cars that support the iPhone digital car key function, including the 2023 X1 and a new electric SUV called iX1.
The digital car key allows the use of an Apple iPhone or Apple Watch to lock, unlock or start a compatible BMW vehicle without the need for a physical key. The standard NFC version of the feature requires the iPhone or Apple Watch to be held near the driver’s door to unlock the vehicle, but the digital car key uses UWB technology to detect when the user is approaching the vehicle, keeping the iPhone in the pocket.
Digital car keys also improve security, as UWB’s precise location awareness helps prevent relay attacks, where the radio signal between the iPhone and the vehicle is jammed or intercepted by another party.
A digital car key requires an Apple iPhone 11 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later, and the digital key is stored in the Apple Wallet app. The feature has gradually rolled out to more BMW models, such as the 2022 i4, 2022 iX, and now the 2023 X1 and iX1. BMW is also offering standard NFC-based digital key functionality on a wider range of 2021 and newer vehicles.
The digital key can be set up using the My BMW app and can be shared with up to five other users. Even if the user’s iPhone battery is drained, the feature can still run for up to five hours in power-saving mode.
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