[Scanger]

Hi All,
With the recent update to ios 13.6, it says they finally added digital car key capability. BMW X7 is listed as supporting this function and I'm keen to give it a try.

However, I can't seem to find the option to generate a digital key in the Connected App. Just wondering if anyone has made this work on ios so far.

Thanks

[calbears]

Originally Posted by Scanger

Hi All,
With the recent update to ios 13.6, it says they finally added digital car key capability. BMW X7 is listed as supporting this function and I'm keen to give it a try.

However, I can't seem to find the option to generate a digital key in the Connected App. Just wondering if anyone has made this work on ios so far.

Thanks

Your X7 has to be built from July 2020 onwards. It's not going to be compatible with X7s (or any BMW) built prior to July 2020.

[m344]

This is not for sure. I read in a german forum that there will be a update to earlier X7s... we will see

[adamjs83]

Originally Posted by calbears

Your X7 has to be built from July 2020 onwards. It's not going to be compatible with X7s (or any BMW) built prior to July 2020.

Now they're saying mid August not July. My X7 had a July build date but was delivered with 3/20 software.

[Skyrider]

Originally Posted by adamjs83

Now they're saying mid August not July. My X7 had a July build date but was delivered with 3/20 software.

Same here. Mine was delivered with 3/2020 software version. I asked the dealer to update it to the latest 7/2020.25 prior to delivery. They did as part of the PDI. This latest software still doesn't have Apple Digital Key capability.

[stockguru]

Originally Posted by Skyrider

Same here. Mine was delivered with 3/2020 software version. I asked the dealer to update it to the latest 7/2020.25 prior to delivery. They did as part of the PDI. This latest software still doesn't have Apple Digital Key capability.

Picked up my car this week and was also 3/20 software. Anything in the 7/20 worth making a trip to dealer to update? It is not updating remotely

[Skyrider]

Originally Posted by stockguru

Picked up my car this week and was also 3/20 software. Anything in the 7/20 worth making a trip to dealer to update? It is not updating remotely

It's a pretty big update. You will get the new updated navigation program that is cloud connected. You will also get the updated personal assistant, automatic windows at a specified waypoint, Android Auto. These are the obvious big ones I see so far. I am sure there is more. It's all described in the site below.

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/globa...es?language=en

[ifr]

Originally Posted by Skyrider

Same here. Mine was delivered with 3/2020 software version. I asked the dealer to update it to the latest 7/2020.25 prior to delivery. They did as part of the PDI. This latest software still doesn't have Apple Digital Key capability.

Not technically correct.

The 07/2020 software fully supports Apple car key/digital key 1.5, but it will only activate at the car if your VO build version is at 07/2020 or later, or if you manually code it.

The other issue is that the Connected Drive app DK1.5 enablement requires a build version of 07/2020. That's the real issue as it's out of our control.

[Skyrider]

Originally Posted by ifr

Not technically correct.

The 07/2020 software fully supports Apple car key/digital key 1.5, but it will only activate at the car if your VO build version is at 07/2020 or later, or if you manually code it.

The other issue is that the Connected Drive app DK1.5 enablement requires a build version of 07/2020. That's the real issue as it's out of our control.

How can we code it?

[huskerdoc2020]

Do you think may X7 that was completed yesterday will have version 07/20 software already?

[ifr]

Originally Posted by Skyrider

How can we code it?

That's a question. Check out some of the threads on here about coding.

Even coding won't help unless the iOS Connected Drive app shows the Digital Key option, which won't be enabled unless your build is 07/2020 or maybe 08/2020 depending on model.

My car is technically ready for the key, and is using smart access 1.5, but the apple Connected Drive app thinks my car is too old for DK1.5 so doesn't offer it.

In your case, and most others, your car is using smart access 1.0 to maintain backwards compatibility with android digital key 1.0. You can test this by checking if your digital key menu is shown as 'Activate Key' (smart access/DK1.0) or 'Activate Main Key' (smart access /DK1.5)

[Game]

My guess is your car will need a software update if you have a pre 7/20 build. A software update for the sake of being updated though will be a service item and will be customer pay.

[BayBavaria]

Does anyone know if all model year 2021 X7s starting with builds in August will have this feature?

[shinm5]

Car is being shipped to me from the dealership, but I did get an email with activation code and installation instruction for iPhones, so this might be ready for Aug 2021s.

[BayBavaria]

Originally Posted by shinm5

Car is being shipped to me from the dealership, but I did get an email with activation code and installation instruction for iPhones, so this might be ready for Aug 2021s.

Congrats! Is yours a 2020 or 2021 model year?

[shinm5]

Thanks!, 2021

[jcarlilesiu]

Originally Posted by calbears

Your X7 has to be built from July 2020 onwards. It's not going to be compatible with X7s (or any BMW) built prior to July 2020.

Where did you get this info? Mine is a 2019 model year, and I definitely have Digital Key capability and running on my android. I know it wasn't available on Apple, but I thought that was a NFC limitation on the Apple device, not the car.

[TRujder]

So no more apple Carkey for x7 prior 07/20, I just got info from BMW Germany that it is not possible to retrofit Apple Carkey protocol. This requires hardware changes.....

[huskerdoc2020]

Kinda stinks as my X7 was built in July, hence 07/20 and still doesn't have it.

[TRujder]

Yep, my car was delivered second half of July and no luck.... ://

[huskerdoc2020]

Kinda BS when BMW said all vehicles July forward would have it.

[ifr]

Originally Posted by TRujder

So no more apple Carkey for x7 prior 07/20, I just got info from BMW Germany that it is not possible to retrofit Apple Carkey protocol. This requires hardware changes.....

Who exactly? I've heard the 'requires hardware 'excuse before and it's usually simply not true.

I have seen official BMW documentation that states that retrofit of Digital Key 1.5 to earlier MY was being considered so I'd be interested in your exact source for this info.

They've even bundled a dealer retrofit code 'SMAC' to add to older MY FA ready to enable the capability in software.