The current launch of iOS 18 has precipitated surprising disruptions for BMW house owners utilizing Apple’s digital key function, notably on the subject of shared keys. A number of BMW drivers have taken to boards and assist communities to report that secondary digital automobile keys shared by the Apple Pockets app are not functioning as meant. Including to the frustration, customers with the brand new iPhone 16 fashions have additionally encountered points with the first digital keys, making the mixing between Apple’s newest units and BMW automobiles a bit glitchy.
The issue primarily impacts the “passive entry” performance, a function that permits a driver to lock, unlock, and begin their automobile just by having their iPhone on them. For a lot of house owners, 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, typically utilized by relations, have misplaced their usability totally. Much more worrying, customers who not too long ago upgraded to an iPhone 16, whether or not a Professional Max or a daily mannequin, are discovering that their main digital keys usually are not acknowledged by the automobile in any respect.
Along with on-line boards, BMW dealership employees have additionally begun receiving complaints from prospects struggling to get their digital keys working once more. One BMW dealership worker shared their expertise with a very annoyed shopper: “I’ve tried every little thing with a shopper 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 challenge 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 a daily iPhone 16, shared an analogous 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.”
Non permanent Fixes
Some BMW house owners have tried troubleshooting the problem, 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 option to the BMW ID app,” they instructed. “Go to Settings, then Driver Recognition, and ensure your shared digital key has a test mark. Mine didn’t. As soon as I checked it, locked the automobile, and returned, all appeared nicely.”
One other person got here up with a multi-step answer that, whereas cumbersome, appears to revive performance:
1. Open the BMW app in your cellphone and use it to unlock the door.
2. Sign up along with your BMW ID in iDrive.
3. Place your iPhone within the automobile’s charging tray.
4. Look ahead to the digital key to reappear within the Pockets app.
5. Double-click the facet button, authenticate with Face ID, and—lastly—begin the automobile.
Up to now, neither Apple nor BMW has publicly commented on the problem. Many are hoping {that a} future replace will resolve the scenario, however for now, secondary drivers must 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.
