[ifr]

I've seen a lot of speculation and misinformation on BMW Digital Key (DK) 1.5. Hopefully, this post will help clear some of the mist.

Digital Key
DK is the technology used on the device. There are 2 versions:
1.0 - current version supported on Android devices and NFC card
1.5 - new version which supports the NFC card AND Apple Products ONLY

DK 1.5 can only be enabled on supported iOS devices with version 13.6 and later. The latest BMW Connected Drive app is required. The CD account and associated car MUST be enabled for DK1.5 in the cloud service. This is done automatically at the back-end, not by dealers, presumably based on the cars VO build version.

If DK1.5 is enabled for a CD account, then the DK option will appear in the app.

Smart Access
The car itself has what's called Smart Access (SA). Again, two versions - 1.0 and 1.5, which align protocol-wise with the DK.

SA 1.0 is enabled on all applicable models equipped with Comfort Access, except where Smart Access 1.5 is used.

SA 1.5 is enabled on all applicable models equipped with Comfort Access AND i-step 07/2020.25 and later AND the Vehicle Order (VO) build version in FA is July 2020 or later.

If SA 1.0 is enabled on the car, then the idrive settings will display a menu called 'Activate Key'
If SA 1.5 is enabled on the car, then the idrive settings will display a menu called 'Activate Main Key'. See attached pics of the menu

To use the new BMW Digital Key Service you need BOTH SA 1.5 AND DK 1.5

So, what does this mean for owners with DK supported cars with a build version earlier than 07/2020? Will BMW retrofit?
Not currently! As mentioned above, Android devices do not support Smart Access 1.5. If BMW were to retrofit this to existing models then it would break all Android devices DK support.

What can BMW do to address this issue?
1. Just roll it out, break the Android service and refund the customers
2. Wait until all the Android subs expire and then roll it out
3. Google update the Android Car Key support to include the new DK 1.5 format/standard
4. Address each customer on an adhoc basis - nightmare as it would require different coding for each car. Apple need SA 1.5, Android users 1.0.
5. Leave as is. No retrofit. New customers get DK/SA 1.5 and support is for Apple Products only.

Happy to refine this position as new information becomes available but the current message being delivered by BMW dealers is often plain wrong! A video has been referenced on these forums that was completely wrong, and has since been removed.

I'm not claiming to have all the answers, but hopefully this post will have clarified a few points.

Note: its probable that X series owners will not get the new service unless they have a 08/2020 production vehicle. Others 'should' get it if they have a 07/2020 vehicle.