The BMW digital key can now be transferred between iPhone and Android devices

Users of the BMW Digital Key and BMW Digital Key Plus apps can now share their digital key across platforms between iPhone and Android devices.

The firm states that prior to this, users that wanted to share keys could only do so via Apple iMessage. However, keys can now be easily passed on to friends or family from the wallet using a native 'share' function.

The digital key can thus be sent by e-mail, SMS or any other messaging service. And if both the owner and recipient of the digital key are standing next to each other, this key can also be transferred via Apple AirDrop or Android Nearby Share. The recipient does not need to have a specific app or a BMW ID.

BMW states the new function is already available for all new vehicles with BMW Digital Key or BMW Digital Key Plus. Older suitably equipped vehicles will be able to make full use of this feature once their software has been updated to status '22-11' or later via a Remote Software Upgrade. Cross-platform sharing is currently available for compatible iPhones and Google smartphones, and compatibility with models from Samsung is set to follow shortly.