The latest launch of iOS 18 has brought about sudden disruptions for BMW homeowners utilizing Apple’s digital key function, significantly in terms of shared keys. A number of BMW drivers have taken to boards and assist communities to report that secondary digital automobile keys shared by means of the Apple Pockets app are not functioning as supposed. Including to the frustration, customers with the brand new iPhone 16 fashions have additionally encountered points with the first digital keys, making the combination between Apple’s newest units and BMW autos a bit glitchy.
The issue primarily impacts the “passive entry” performance, a function that enables a driver to lock, unlock, and begin their car just by having their iPhone on them. For a lot of homeowners, this has been a seamless and handy expertise—till now. Affected drivers are discovering that whereas the first digital key continues to work, secondary shared keys, usually utilized by relations, have misplaced their usability fully. Much more worrying, customers who just lately upgraded to an iPhone 16, whether or not a Professional Max or an everyday mannequin, are discovering that their major digital keys aren’t acknowledged by the automobile in any respect.
Along with on-line boards, BMW dealership workers have additionally begun receiving complaints from clients struggling to get their digital keys working once more. One BMW dealership worker shared their expertise with a very pissed off consumer: “I’ve tried all the pieces with a consumer after he bought his new iPhone 16 Professional Max. It stopped working with Digital Key Plus. Tonight, I used to be advised by the BMW Genius Line—after talking with three totally different folks—that this concern has been reported particularly with the iPhone 16 Professional Max.”
Sadly, the issue isn’t restricted to only the Professional Max. One other person on the boards, who upgraded to an everyday iPhone 16, shared an identical story. “I can’t use any of the digital key options anymore—can’t lock or unlock or begin the automobile. The digital key put in high quality into Pockets however simply doesn’t work. It’s just like the automobile and cellphone aren’t speaking to one another in any respect.”
Momentary Fixes
Some BMW homeowners have tried troubleshooting the difficulty, sharing varied fixes and workarounds. A discussion board member detailed a course of involving the BMW ID app throughout the automobile’s iDrive system. “Discover your strategy to the BMW ID app,” they instructed. “Go to Settings, then Driver Recognition, and ensure your shared digital key has a examine mark. Mine didn’t. As soon as I checked it, locked the automobile, and returned, all appeared properly.”
One other person got here up with a multi-step resolution that, whereas cumbersome, appears to revive performance:
1. Open the BMW app in your cellphone and use it to unlock the door.
2. Check in together with your BMW ID in iDrive.
3. Place your iPhone within the car’s charging tray.
4. Await the digital key to reappear within the Pockets app.
5. Double-click the aspect button, authenticate with Face ID, and—lastly—begin the automobile.
To date, neither Apple nor BMW has publicly commented on the difficulty. Many are hoping {that a} future replace will resolve the state of affairs, however for now, secondary drivers should depend on less-than-ideal workarounds or revert to utilizing their bodily key fobs. We reached out to BMW of North America for an official touch upon this and can replace the article accordingly.
