[GregW / Oregon]

I've tried setting up my digital key on my 6MT car. I see it is possible, and I have an email to set it up, but I click to download it to my wallet, start the process and put the phone in the charging station, and nothing happens. Doesn't help the in the manual the dock is in the armrest and you can't really see what is happening. I see there should also be a way to do it directly in the car with the activation code.

Tips, anyone? Thanks.

[Squidget]

Doesn't work for anyone. Not actually supported for MT cars. There are many long sad threads about it.

(Supposedly for supply chain reasons) BMW gave MT cars the old crappy charger hardware that lacks support for Digital Key. AT cars get the NFC tray in the front and it DOES support digital key.

Sorry.

[lux]

GregW / Oregon

No go for digital key in manuals.

https://g87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2007941

[baron95]

Somewhat related question - can you use the digital key with the Apple Watch to start the car? (I'm still waiting for my M2 to arrive)

I was able to add the MyBMW to the watch face as a complication (in demo mode), and it does have an unlock icon, but I did not see a start icon.

Thanks.

[sacowich]

Originally Posted by baron95

Somewhat related question - can you use the digital key with the Apple Watch to start the car? (I'm still waiting for my M2 to arrive)

I was able to add the MyBMW to the watch face as a complication (in demo mode), and it does have an unlock icon, but I did not see a start icon.

Thanks.

That would be a feature of digital key, hence I’d say no.

[lux]

Originally Posted by baron95

Somewhat related question - can you use the digital key with the Apple Watch to start the car? (I'm still waiting for my M2 to arrive)

I was able to add the MyBMW to the watch face as a complication (in demo mode), and it does have an unlock icon, but I did not see a start icon.

Thanks.

I've used the Apple Watch to open and start my car (automatic) using digital key. The watch version of MyBMW also works to unlock door.

I didn't option remote start so I don't know if MyBMW App allows you to remote start, open door, and drive off without a digital key. I'm guessing no, since most manufacturers require sensing a key before allowing you to get out of park.

[BMW DIY Guy]

Originally Posted by Squidget

Doesn't work for anyone. Not actually supported for MT cars. There are many long sad threads about it.

(Supposedly for supply chain reasons) BMW gave MT cars the old crappy charger hardware that lacks support for Digital Key. AT cars get the NFC tray in the front and it DOES support digital key.

Sorry.

So.. this makes me ponder if a retrofit is possible. Get the NFC tray, assuming it has the same footprint and swap it into place. I just need a bloody parts diagram for this car and REALOEM has nothing past about 2020.

[baron95]

Originally Posted by lux

I've used the Apple Watch to open and start my car (automatic) using digital key. The watch version of MyBMW also works to unlock door.

I didn't option remote start so I don't know if MyBMW App allows you to remote start, open door, and drive off without a digital key. I'm guessing no, since most manufacturers require sensing a key before allowing you to get out of park.

Thank you. So you simply added the Apple Watch as an additional NFC digital key, so you can open, start drive, without the key FOB or even the iPhone?

That is what I was expecting, but wanted to confirm. If this works it will be awesome.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by BMW DIY Guy

So.. this makes me ponder if a retrofit is possible. Get the NFC tray, assuming it has the same footprint and swap it into place. I just need a bloody parts diagram for this car and REALOEM has nothing past about 2020.

Well the manual's "tray" is mounted vertically in the armrest storage as there is no room in the shifter console. Not sure how you could configure that.

[BMW DIY Guy]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Well the manual's "tray" is mounted vertically in the armrest storage as there is no room in the shifter console. Not sure how you could configure that.

Ah ok, good to know thank you.

[FrankWhite!]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Well the manual's "tray" is mounted vertically in the armrest storage as there is no room in the shifter console. Not sure how you could configure that.

This blows hard…not what I was expecting and also somewhat feel mislead from the M2 builder when I chose to add the wireless charging. It clearly shows the tray and my 2024 X5 had the same thing so I’d assumed it was a winner. Would of liked the convince of the digal key. Maybe that Idrive 8.5 update will allow some kind of workaround IF the 24 M2’s have the new module and can get the over the air 8.5 update if it’s not already installed.

[calbears]

Originally Posted by FrankWhite!

This blows hard…not what I was expecting and also somewhat feel mislead from the M2 builder when I chose to add the wireless charging. It clearly shows the tray and my 2024 X5 had the same thing so I’d assumed it was a winner. Would of liked the convince of the digal key. Maybe that Idrive 8.5 update will allow some kind of workaround IF the 24 M2’s have the new module and can get the over the air 8.5 update if it’s not already installed.

8.5 won't be on the 2 Series. It doesn't have the new head unit, so no over the air update to get you to 8.5

[FrankWhite!]

Originally Posted by calbears

8.5 won't be on the 2 Series. It doesn't have the new head unit, so no over the air update to get you to 8.5

I was under the impression all the M cars did get the new unit included the 2024 M2…? I have no way to confirm that but I’ve asked my sales manager to look into it.

[cmgbk75]

Originally Posted by calbears

8.5 won't be on the 2 Series. It doesn't have the new head unit, so no over the air update to get you to 8.5

Not true:

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=30363393

https://www.bmwblog.com/2023/08/09/2...et-idrive-8-5/

[FrankWhite!]

Originally Posted by cmgbk75

Not true:

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=30363393

https://www.bmwblog.com/2023/08/09/2...et-idrive-8-5/

Thank you Sir! That’s good news after the big let down on the digial key. Hopefully, some workaround may come available for the digital key with the new 8.5 deal… Wishful thinking anyway. Cheers!

[calbears]

Originally Posted by cmgbk75

Not true:

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=30363393

https://www.bmwblog.com/2023/08/09/2...et-idrive-8-5/

News to me as I have not seen that communication.

[calbears]

Originally Posted by FrankWhite!

I was under the impression all the M cars did get the new unit included the 2024 M2…? I have no way to confirm that but I’ve asked my sales manager to look into it.

8.5 on the M is not the same as the regular 8.5 on all other 8.5 vehicles

[lux]

Originally Posted by baron95

Thank you. So you simply added the Apple Watch as an additional NFC digital key, so you can open, start drive, without the key FOB or even the iPhone?

That is what I was expecting, but wanted to confirm. If this works it will be awesome.

I'm okay with using the watch to open door but PITA to start car. You need to remove watch from wrist and place it in the charging tray. Then need to enter watch pin and double click for digital key card.

[baron95]

Originally Posted by lux

I'm okay with using the watch to open door but PITA to start car. You need to remove watch from wrist and place it in the charging tray. Then need to enter watch pin and double click for digital key card.

OMG. What a brain dead design. So, the only place in the car with an NFC reader to start the vehicle is the wireless charging tray?

There is no way to simply rotating the watch down from the right wrist?

Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions.

I find it amazing that BMW does not make clear how this all works. By luck I did order the wireless charging after making sure my iPhone 14Pro Max fits. But I had no clue that wireless charging was in anyway related to smart keys.

[FrankWhite!]

Originally Posted by calbears

8.5 on the M is not the same as the regular 8.5 on all other 8.5 vehicles

Please elaborate ?

[lux]

Originally Posted by baron95

OMG. What a brain dead design. So, the only place in the car with an NFC reader to start the vehicle is the wireless charging tray?

There is no way to simply rotating the watch down from the right wrist?

Thanks for taking the time to answer the questions.

I find it amazing that BMW does not make clear how this all works. By luck I did order the wireless charging after making sure my iPhone 14Pro Max fits. But I had no clue that wireless charging was in anyway related to smart keys.

Update: I can awkwardly shove my wrist into charging tray (watch face down) and get the car to start. It then says key missing after pulling away. You can still shift out of park. Not sure if the car will shut down later since it doesn't sense a digital key in the tray.

Using a phone, key card, or FOB is easier. I wouldn't rely on Apple Watch as your primary key.