Parth
Auto Tech
1 min read

BMW Expands Digital Key Plus Feature to Samsung Galaxy and Pixel Phones, Offering Enhanced Convenience and Security for Drivers

German automaker BMW has announced that it is expanding its Digital Key Plus feature to Android smartphone users, allowing them to use their phone to unlock their car with hands-free technology. The Digital Key Plus feature uses ultra wideband (UWB) digital radio technology to function similarly to a traditional key fob. When the user’s phone is in close proximity to the car, it unlocks, and then locks again when the phone moves away from the car.

This feature was previously only available for iPhone and Apple Watch users. Now, BMW is expanding the feature to include the Samsung Galaxy S23+, Galaxy S23 Ultra, Google Pixel 7 Pro, and other newer Samsung devices. The My BMW app also allows users to access controls to lock and unlock the car, open the trunk, and control the temperature.

 

 

BMW had previously released the Digital Key feature for the Samsung Galaxy S21 and Google Pixel 6 phones, but those required the driver to hold their phone up to the door handle. This hands-free option is a welcome upgrade for users, who will no longer need to fumble around with their phone to unlock their car. BMW claims that the UWB technology’s precision almost entirely eliminates the risk of anyone jamming or intercepting the radio signals.

The expansion of the Digital Key Plus feature follows BMW’s announcement in December that the Digital Key could be shared between Apple and Google devices. This means that users can share their Digital Key with friends, allowing them to use their phone to control the car.

This move by BMW is another example of how automakers are incorporating more technology into their cars, and how smartphones are playing an increasingly important role in car ownership. The ability to use a smartphone as a key is a convenient feature that is likely to be popular among consumers, and could become a standard feature in future cars.